Pastor's Weekly Newsletter (1.17.23)
THIS WEEK'S MEMORY VERSE IS...
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (II Corinthians 6:14)
Join us this Wednesday as we study...
What is Faith?
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1
Faith is to believe in the existence of, and hope in the power of things that we have evidence of existing, yet are unseen. It is the central factor of our Christianity. If I even am to believe that there is a God that exists requires faith. It is faith because I believe in God, and I hope in Him, and I have seen evidence of His existence though I have not seen Him myself. This is faith.
Faith is the catalyst of God's grace for my salvation. "For by grace are ye saved through faith..." (Ephesians 2:8) I did not see Jesus die for my sins, but I heard the story, I heard the Word of God, and I chose to believe in the existence of His sacrifice, and I chose to put my hope and reliance in what He did for me on that cross. This is based on the evidence of what I have heard though I have not seen. This is faith.
Faith is the avenue by which I please God in my life. " But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) I live a sanctified life out of faith, not simply to be different. I believe that God is watching over me every day and I have hope and reliance in His ability to help me in my needs. I have experienced his hand of help which serves as evidence of His presence, though I cannot see Him. This is faith.
This faith is the basis of all we do. This is why the lost do not understand us as Christians. The world around us operates off on human logic rather than faith. Yet the power of the logic of the human mind pales in comparison to the power of faith in God. Therefore we need not fear to walk in faith even when it defies human logic. I choose to rely on the God that I have not seen, believing that He exists and expecting by the evidence of the past that He will walk with me in the future and guide my steps. This is faith.
Pastor Jonathan Painter
Lincoln Baptist Church
