Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Faith and Seeking in Christ Jesus!

“… without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6 NIV

We ought to know that the way to please God is not matter of works but through faith in Jesus Christ. This is because the mission of God is to make us truly believe in Jesus until the end of the age, as He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). To be more specific, God wants us to believe in Jesus Christ until the end of the age because He wants us to enter the eternal kingdom of heaven at the end of the age. This is the reason why Jesus was crucified on the cross as an atonement of our sins (John 3:16-18). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) However, we have to be careful not to make mistake between believing about Jesus Christ and believing in Him as there is a big difference between them. This is because believing about Christ just means to have knowledge about Him, but believing in Christ defines us that if we believe in Him, then we get to do something what He has called us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 states like this: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:3-8)

Secondly, God wants us to seek Him (Matthew 6:33) through prayers (Philippians 4:6-7) and His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Firstly, prayers before our heavenly Father create an intimate relationship with Him as praying to Him is the way to have healthy communications between us and Him, unless prayers are not not according to His will (James 4:3; 1 John 5:14-15).  Secondly, the word of God makes us to become the righteousness of God (Romans 1:17). “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7)

However, we are not be able to seek Him without the Spirit of God (John 14:15-27). This is the power of the Holy Spirit creates the desires and passions for God within us (Romans 15:13) as the Spirit guides us into all the truth (John 16:7-13). This is the part of the reason why Jesus has said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12) “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)  
                                                                                                                               
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways. (Psalm 119:1-3) 

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