By Faith Ye Stand

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 17

By Faith Ye Stand

Text: 2Corinthians 1:24; Matthew 17:14-21

In our text passage, the Apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians of the essential nature of faith. He lets them know, in fact, that they stood in the Word of God because of faith. He lets them know that faith is the foundation upon which their salvation and service is built.  Faith is not only the foundation in the sense of something immovable and structurally strong; but faith is also the foundation upon which we operate, upon which we militate, and upon which we motivate. Faith doesn’t remain stationary in one place – and neither should we! Of course, our doctrine ought not be movable, and neither should our resolute faith in God. But faith goes with us, and faith is our strength and basis, no matter where or when or who we are in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. And anything we do that is not of faith, will not last. And any word that we say that is not complimentary to and conditioned by faith, will not be worthy. We stand, we walk, we run, we work, we love, and we live upon and by faith.

Faith is Belief

Though we are endued with a “Believing Faith” in Christ when we are first saved; I believe that the belief and faith that we have in Christ is something that can continue to grow. In fact, it is quite possible, that the more that we believe that Christ is Who He says He is; the more that we believe that God the Father is Who He says He is; the more that we believe in the power of the Holy Spirit Who dwells within us; then, the more that we can and will be useful in the service and worship of Jesus Christ. I suppose that we could put it this way: The measure of our usefulness in Christ, may be commensurate with the degree to which belief in Christ has saturated our souls. The more that we are certain of Him, the more we will be profitable in the ways of Christ. Jn. 3:11-18; 4:39-42; Acts 3:16: Mk. 9:23-24 

Faith is Trust

The belief that each of us harbors in his heart – the belief that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world – is essential unto our salvation. And then, after that we are saved, it seems to me that the trust that we have in God is essential to proper service and continuing faithfulness.  We must trust our God. We must be committed unto Him. The Faith that we have in Him is evidenced by the way that we live, by the level of our trust in Him, by the magnitude of the expectations that we have placed in Him. Though troubles may come, we will depend upon Him. Though the world and the devil may oppose us, we will trust in Him. Belief grows into Trust, and our Faith is translated into Faithfulness and into confidence and certainty in the Word and Way of God. We don’t know what tomorrow holds from a human perspective. But, blessed with the eye of Faith, and endowed with the certainty and trust that comes from above, we know that all will be well – for God is in Control! 2Cor. 4:13-18; Mt. 6:30; 8:26, 5-13

Faith is Mutual

Though it is true that “By Faith Ye Stand,” it is not our faith alone that we speak of. In other words, I want to be sure to remind you today, that you only stand because of the Faith that God has granted unto you, and because of His Faithfulness to us. There could be no Faith in us towards God – if there were not first (and always thereafter) Faithfulness towards us from God!  Our Faith rests on Him and His Faithfulness – His Faithfulness unto Himself and unto us. Our God will prevail, and in His prevailing we will also be saved. Our Faith in Him is not misplaced, but is rather well-placed, enduring, and all-saving.  Mk. 11:22; 1Cor. 1:9; 1Thess. 5:23-24; 2Tim. 2:13; Heb. 10:23; Rev. 19:11