THE SHIELD OF FAITH

By LaRoyce

HEBREWS 11:1
NOW FAITH IS BEING SURE OF WHAT WE HOPE FOR AND CERTAIN OF WHAT WE DO NOT SEE.

HEBREWS 11:6
AND WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD, BECAUSE ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS AND THAT HE REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM.

FAITH- 1. CONFIDENCE OR TRUST IN A PERSON OR THING. 2. BELIEF IN GOD.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:7
WE LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT

Many people have a hard time believing in things that they cannot see. What's worse is the fact that many people would say that they believe in God and Jesus when (realistically) they don't even trust that He can make a difference in their lives. Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is immposible to please God, implying that God wants us to be real with Him, just as He is truly concerned with our dearest needs. Faith is a shield against many things in that it helpls us to define who we are (seperaating us from things that we are not) and what we truly believe. Our faith is tested everyday, from the way that we deal with people, to the way that we act in the midst of others. People know when Chrsitians are not what they say they are, because they do not take on the character of Christ. Christ is indeed the model of our Faith because He lived as one of us...perfect in His human walk. we are to put our confidnce and trust in Christ so that our actions can become as His.

CONFIDENCE-1. Full trust; Reliance

TRUST-1. Reliance on the integrity, ability, etc., of a person or thing. 2. confident expectation; hope.

HOPE-2. A person or thing in which expectations are centered.

1.

PROVERBS 3:5 TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING;
IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM,
AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT.

As humans, our principles are based on the self as the center of our understanding. We are taught that an intelligent, well thought out decision, is a correct decision....

Galatians 5:22-26
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Our principles are based on the desire and passion to please and pamper the self. God is a God of service and faithfulness to others. the teachings of Christ teaches us to...

Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus replied:" Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it:' Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and prophets hang on these two commands.

Chrstianity is the outward expression of love and service towards others ( not ourselves ).

Putting our full trust in Christ, helps us to be the best followers of Christ (Christians) that we can be.

2.

PHILIPPIANS 1:20-23
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be exalted in my body, wether by life or death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in this body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

Paul says," To live is CHRIST and to die is gain." This is the character of one who truly followed Christ because there is no compromise in the service and the hope that God would provide Him his needs. Just as it is written in Hebrews 11:6-ANYONE WHO COMES TO HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS AND THAT HE REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM. When we earnestly seek Him he provides us with all that we need to serve Him, and in Him we acquire the grace to serve others, for we are saved by grace through faith.

Just as Jesus had faith enoguh to believe that we were worth dying for...so should we have faith in Him who's shed blood has the power to save us from the penalty of sin.

Be certain of what the Lord can do for you and he will meet your needs to the measure of your faith.

1 Timothy 6:11-12
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and persue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. fight the good fight of faith. take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.