Apply This Word in Your Life

Apply This Word in Your Life


Hebrews 11:1&2 NKJV
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

   Just as our physical eyesight is the sense that gives us evidence of the material world, faith is the "sense" that gives us evidence of the invisible, spiritual world.  Faith can't be measured in a laboratory; faith has to be understood spiritually.  Faith extends beyond what we learn from our senses, and when you grow in faith it can become as real to you as sight, touch or hearing.
   I don’t need faith for things I have a handle on, I need faith for those things that are invisible and unknown to me.  Faith is the key that unlocks the spiritual world to me.  Faith is not a bare belief or intellectual understanding.  It is a willingness to trust in, to rely on, and to cling to.
   The over-all theme of our world is humanism.  Humanism teaches that only what can be found and measured in nature is "real."  Humanists are content to co-exist with Christianity as long as we live our lives as though we really don’t believe the Bible.  We struggle with sin and struggle with unbelief and therefore we are no danger so we live in harmony with the world.  But if a Christian comes to believe in the reality of God and of His Word and of Heaven, they will find themselves at odds with the prevailing attitude of this world.
   We need to have faith that God loves us and cares for us.  The Bible never argues about the existence of God; He is introduced in the very first verse.  We, therefore, need to learn Who God is and what the Bible says about Him.
   Jesus’ life and death and resurrection are big issues to come to grips with.  Rather than trying to figure it all out, you need to believe He lived and died and lives now and forever.  You need to have faith that His sacrifice bought your future and live as though that means something to you.
   The Holy Spirit is not an “it.”  He is a person with feelings and purpose and He also loves you and wants you to grow in your faith.  You need to grasp the reality of His existence and have faith that He is moving in your life and helping you grow.
   God’s Word is forever.  By it and through it you can learn what you need to live your life to the fullest.  When you come to believe in your heart what the Bible says, your life will change.
   You need to believe that now that you’re in Christ, you are a new creation.  You need to accept that old things in your life have passed away and He has made your life new.
   You need to believe in the power of love.  God’s love will change you forever.  Your love will grow as you give it away to others.  Love never fails.
   When you apply faith to your life, you will come into all this and more.  Are you willing to step out in faith and believe God’s Word?  And I don’t mean just give it lip service, but put it into your heart and into your memory and into your life.  For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.  You will, too.

Stephen Cram                          January 15, 2012            Colossians 2:8

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  Colossians 2:8