We can only experience the fulfillment of God’s Word through faith alone.
1) Enjoying the Blessing of the Gospel by Faith Alone.
| God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). This means that everything belonging to Jesus Christ has been given to us. In Christ, we have wisdom, righteousness, holiness, and salvation (1 Corinthians 1:30). The only way to truly enjoy this promise is through faith. No religious effort or work can allow us to enjoy the glory and blessings of the complete gospel given by God except through faith. The only way to enjoy the fullness of the gospel is through complete faith in the perfect Gospel. In this faith, no amount of the sacrifices, efforts, works nor merits that originates from oneself is needed to enjoy the Gospel. Nothing but faith is required. Then, the blessings in Christ Jesus become a reality for me. |
》Scripture Prayer
(Romans 4:1-5) What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness
(Romans 4:17-22) as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”–in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. The only way we can truly experience God’s promises is through faith. Abraham, even though he was old and his body was as good as dead, believed in God’s promise above his circumstances. As a result, he saw the fulfillment of the promise. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). Moreover, the Author and Finisher of our faith is not us, but the Lord Jesus Himself (Hebrews 12:2). Let us make a decision to live a life of faith, believing in God’s promise and that He will bring it to pass when we look beyond our human understanding and trust in Him through prayer.
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
2. God’s promises can only be obtained through faith. Do you have a promise from God that you need to decide to believe in right now? Seek a strong and courageous faith that can obediently claim that promise, just like Joshua and Caleb. Then, you will be able to enjoy that promise.
So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the LORD said.” (Joshua 14:12)
2) Faith moves us to Live according to Our Beliefs
| Faith has the power to move us. A farmer believes that by plowing the field and sowing the seeds in spring, there will be a harvest in the fall. The farmer is farming in faith. By observing people’s lives in this way, we can understand what they believe in. Do you believe in heaven? If so, that belief will make you live as a citizen of heaven even in this world. Everyone that looks at your life can see and know that there is indeed a heaven. Do you believe that Jesus, our bridegroom, will come again? In the same way, if you believe that your old self died on the cross, you no longer continue to live with the old habits, values, nature, and attitudes. Is your current faith moving you to live according to what you believe? |
》Scripture Prayer
(Matthew 13:44-46) “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
(Hebrews 11:13-16) These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Heaven exists, even though we can’t see it with our eyes. We live in faith, enjoying and hoping for that heavenly realm. Let’s declare with faith that heaven has come into our hearts and pray that we may live in the joy of heaven.
Nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” (Luke 17:21)
2. A pearl merchant who discovered a priceless pearl, unlike any other, would sell all of his possessions to buy that pearl. Similarly, if someone recognizes the supreme value of the kingdom of heaven, wouldn’t they be willing to pay any price to possess it? Let’s pray that, in the face of the grace of the gospel, paid for by the life of God’s Son Jesus Christ, we may be willing to surrender everything and live for the sake of the gospel.
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)
3) Living in the Glory of the Gospel of the Cross by faith alone.
| The gospel of the cross is the joyful news that transforms our being. God has given us the incredible blessing of changing us from beings who could never be united with God into beings who can now enjoy perfect union with the triune God through Jesus Christ. God has graciously made us his glorious and righteous children and heirs through the gospel. We simply need to enjoy the allowed blessing within Jesus Christ. There is no need to create additional qualifications to enjoy this blessing. In Jesus Christ, who is our complete qualification, we can simply live the life of glory by faith, embracing the true blessings of the gospel. How wonderful this news is! |
》Scripture Prayer
(Hebrews 4:2) For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
(Hebrews 11:6) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
(Romans 1:17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
(Colossians 2:13) And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.
(John 5:24) Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
(John 1:12) But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
(Ephesians 1:18-19) having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Consider the boundless width, length, height, and depth of God’s grace, freely given to those who have no qualification to receive it. Give glory to God, who bestowed this immeasurable grace through the gospel of the cross of Jesus Christ. Let us express gratitude for the transformation of our being through the cross and move forward as participants in perfect union with God, sharing in His love, joy, and fellowship.
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
2. Reflect on the blessings that have already been granted in Jesus Christ: being adopted as children, becoming heirs, being restored to the original state, escaping judgment, receiving all that belongs to Jesus, and having authority over the world, among many other blessings. Pray that you may receive and make these abundant blessings of the gospel a reality in your life through faith.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (James 1:6-7)
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