God responds to that faith lived out through obedience, and promises to reward the faithful believer, but the object of faith is not to change the mind of God or to manipulate His actions.
Now this does not mean that God does not recognize or respond to faith. In fact the reason these guys were listed in scripture is blessing, likely in response to their faith. Faith is just not a means to manipulate God. We should be seeking His will, not asking Him to do our will.
And this is that assurance that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions, that we have desired of him. 1 John 5:14-15 GB
None of these guys even got to see the fulfillment of the promises in their lifetime.
Because of their faith they we stoned, sawn in two, tempted, slain by the sword, homeless, broke, tortured, tormented.
And yet they were faithful.
Faith is not a force you tap into. Faith is a lifestyle. A lifestyle that results from the reality of our having put our trust in God….. come what may.
Once we realize who He is, He is everything.
Obedience is the natural result of a sincere faith in God.
To receive salvation from the Lord you have to put your trust in Him. This is why many people today believe they have been born-again when they haven’t. They have prayed a prayer, gone to church, and had an emotional/spiritual experience, but they have never truly surrendered to the Lord. They have not truly put their trust in the living God.
Have you put your trust in the living God, or are you still trying to do it your own way? |
