Faith and obedience can be considered synonymous. If you believe in something, your attitudes are consistent with that conviction. This influences every area of your existence. In this way, one of the best ways to enhance your family life is to constantly reevaluate your beliefs and decisions. To learn more, meditate on this post and leave your comment at the end.
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Sense of eternity
One of the most intriguing statements of the Bible is in the writings of the wise Solomon in dealing with the concept of time:
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He affirms that God has put within the man the notion of eternity. Even without being able to understand, this conviction remains unquestioned in us because God put it there. This shows us that everybody, without exception, possess not only the capacity to believe but also a genuine revelation in their spirit. The Creator himself cared of planting a measure of faith in the heart of man.
Why, then, are there so many different beliefs and religions in the world since ancient times? And what is the most appropriate way of expressing faith if there is a way? Faith can be very simple as you decide to accept reality as it is. Or it can become complex if you prefer to resist its simplicity and wish to understand it from the human point of view.
For some reason, I delayed to understand this, or rather to accept this truth. But I invite you to open your heart to experience the peace and fullness that only by faith you can achieve according to God’s beautiful plan for your life. The point is not the effort to conquer something difficult but rather the rely on the simple and gentle as God one day chose what it would be.
Apostolic teaching
The Apostle Paul wrote that the only way a human being can approach God is through faith. He recalls how Abraham, the father of faith, developed a relationship with God and pleased him greatly. This man did not have the Bible, churches, teachers to help him understand the mysteries of faith. But when he perceived the voice of God in his spirit, he decided to obey. He lived this commitment in an extraordinary way.
Paul shows that Abraham’s trust in God, as recorded in Genesis, was manifested in many covenants, geographical changes, and sacrifices. But before any of these actions, he pleased God for his willingness to follow the directions of God, rather than simply ignoring them. The grace of God is attained through this confidence that learns to listen and obey moment to moment.
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Galatians 3:11
Whoever believes obeys
From a slightly different perspective, the Apostle James shows us that faith must always be tested. There are attitudes that confirm the existence of conviction in a person’s life, affecting their conversations, choices, behavior and especially the most difficult times.
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
James 2:19
But if your attitudes contradict your belief, if your behavior is not consistent with your faith, you are in an extremely vulnerable position. James comes to compare this attitude with demons, who believe and shudder at the truth that there is one God. This is the dead faith of which he says that we should not tolerate. It acts independently of the truth of the word of God.
Relationship with the Holy Spirit
On the other hand, living faith is consistent and blesses your life more and more. This kind of faith and the accompanying attitudes grow in your life as a process. Just as children are always observing others and trying to copy them to learn new skills, their beliefs are developed from “copies.” You listen to the word of God through other people before you learn to appreciate it for yourself.
From the moment that errors and correctness present you with some principles, you begin to act more originally according to your competence. That’s when you realize that more than a pattern to follow, faith is a relationship. It flows well when there is honor to the person speaking, consideration to their words and arrangements for better results. The apostle Jude wrote that you build your faith when you communicate in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit
Jude 1:20
True faith
In short, a brief road map for practicing living by faith is the sequence of listening first, perceiving compassion, and then acting. Every expression of faith arises and is perfected from the word of God. The more focused and sensitive you are to the Holy Spirit, the more you will understand his words in your own spirit. The revelation of God comes in the form of an impression in your spirit, without any logic or justification. Pay attention and value this!
Then you will notice a compassion related to what you have heard. Jesus always moved out of compassion. He not only read the sacred text or meditated to continue ministering to people. He perceived compassion and therefore could command the most unprecedented and strange miracles that ever came into existence. Compassion gives you the courage to see finished what has yet to be accomplished.
And finally comes the action. Unfortunately we are tempted to decide, to move forward, to do something before we hear and perceive compassion. That’s the problem. Just as faith is always related to a practical final expression as an attitude or behavior, if these have an opportunity to manifest before the word of God and compassion, they will serve as enemies of faith. Acting independently kills true faith.
Decide to live by faith
We can say that all religions are independent actions, human attempts to go by self-effort to some status. But only by faith can you understand many visible and invisible realities. Through faith in Jesus you are saved and can please God. Prayer with faith brings great results, heals the sick, frees the imprisoned, and empowers you for extraordinary results.
Thus decide right now to listen to God’s call for you to live by faith. Choose the lightest, most simple and most powerful way to proceed. You will live the unlikely in the presence of the Holy Spirit in deciding to live by faith.
To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:1
Prayer: God, I want to hear your voice and experience what it means to live by faith. Forgive me for the times when I doubted about you and also when I went ahead and acted without your guidance. I declare that from now on I will live by faith, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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