Lots of preaching on tv, radio, YouTube. We even got some preachers on Facebook and other social media sites. We have lots of teaching and preaching to listen but what we do with it is what matters.
“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” Hebrews 4:2
Read this quote today, “Think of the joy Israel had in coming out of Egypt and approaching the Promised Land - and then think of all the graves dug in the desert. A wonderful promise was available but unattained. They came short because though they heard God’s word, it was not mixed with faith.” -David Guzik
According to the Word of God faith is belief in the one, true God without actually seeing Him. After Thomas touched the holes in His hand, “Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” John 20:29 Saying it another way, “blessed are those who have faith.”
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
That whole last paragraph is Scripture word-for-word! Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6, & Ephesians 2:8-10.
Our faith should be what others can’t see physically but see evident spiritually in our lives. With each step of faith, we take it becomes more evident we are followers of Jesus. That step of faith could be sharing your faith for the first time, calling and praying with someone, or taking a step of faith into new areas of ministry or serving. Whatever it is, let’s live a life of faith not just listen to others talk about it. If it’s in you, it’s in you!
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.