The Truth Of Living Faith

And what shall I more say?

For the time would fail me to 

tell of Gideon, and of Barak,

and of Samson, and of Jelpthac:

of David also, and Samuel, and

of the prophets: who through 

faith subdued kingdoms, wrought

righteousness, obtained promises,

stopped the mouths of lions, 

quenched the violence of fire,

escaped the edge of the sword,

out of weakness made strong,

waxed valiant in fight, turned 

 to flight the armies of the aliens.

Hebrews 11:32-34

     We have a huge cloud of witnesses that should bolster our faith and our desire to have a greater relationship with Jesus. Agobard, the forty-fourth bishop of Lyons (816-840) wrote about the "truth of faith" and his words, words from another man who loved God and desired to aid others about the "truth of Faith," so too we should listen to him and see if what he wrote is applicable in our lives. Put aside any issues you may have about the Roman Catholic Church for not all men were of the same mind as the Church and attempted to bring the truth about Scripture to men and women. I will leave any discussion about problems Protestants have with the Roman Catholic Church for another time. We here are examining faith. 

     Paul reminds us of prayer, to urge us to prayer (1Timothy 2:1-2, 8-9). We must understand that above all things prayer should be without wrath, and contention, and without doubt, but with confidence and faith. Remember the narrative about the fig tree? Peter says to his Lord: "Rabbi, look! the fig tree which you cursed has withered,' and Jesus answered and said, 'Have faith in God" (Mark 11:21-24). James adds: ".....But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind" (Free citation of James 1:5-8). 

     The great abundance of God's sweetness evinces a mighty faith and confidence: "Thou, O Lord, art good and gracious and of much mercy to those calling on thee" (Psalm 86-5). It is one who listens reverently by faith to the Lord is mercifully listed to by the Lord. So, let what is especially needful to be proclaimed be heard and fulfilled. The Almighty God Jehovah who is merciful announces this abundance of His own sweetness by the prophet Ezekiel: "Return and repent from all your transgressions, and iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I do not wish the death of the one dying, says the Lord. Turn and live" (Ezekiel 18:30-32).

      For those who neglect this sweet summon of God in the present time while God can be found and while He is near, the time will come of working no longer, but of receiving each one according to his works, hearing the bitter reproaches: "I have called and you refused, have stretched out my hands and there was no one who heeded; you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproofs; I will therefore laugh at your calamity" (Proverbs 1:24-26). 

     The men of old had a faith that enabled them to remain faithful even in times of trial, persecution, death, and other calamities, but they held fast to the promises of God for their faith was not in the promises, but in God who promised. The faith of those who went before are examples of faith for us for our faith is in God who has promised: "Turn, and you will see what there is between the righteous and the wicked, and between one who serves God and the one who does not serve Him. For behold, the day will come, burning like an oven, and all the arrogant, and evildoers will be stubble; and the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, which will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. And you shall go forth, and you shall leap like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, when they will be ashes under the sole of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts" (Malachi (3:18 to 4:3). 

     God has promised: will you allow your faith to not be subdued by anything? Will you remain faithful to Him under any conditions? Only you, or me, can answer those questions and I pray that we, you, will answer in the positive.

But it shall be one day 

     which shall be known

to the LORD, not day, nor

    night: but it shall come

to pass, that at evening time

   it shall be light.

                Zechariah 14:7

You have a living faith: Live by it!

Richard L. Crumb