Posted on Sun, Sep 11, 2011
Therefore, faith that will transcend fear is the faith which is centered in God through Jesus Christ. This faith must be based on knowledge of God’s perfect character and should be assured that God possesses in all fullness the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, and power that we need, regardless of what we face or come up against. “We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 . This is the faith that liberates us from our ever-tormenting fears. It grants us boldness and access into the blessings that God has in store for us.
In our series of messages on overcoming fear with faith, just ended, we have discussed: (a) Understanding fear and faith (b) Episodes of fear and faith (c) The triumph and reward of faith and (d) Acquiring faith and dispelling fear. I want to briefly share a few points from the messages with you.
The bible has concluded that without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him (God) must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 . The bible further records: “The Just shall live by faith”. Romans 1:17 .
There is an application of faith in all spheres of our lives. From buying food items in the supermarket to flying in the plane, faith is at work. When we make travel plans, for instance; we hope to arrive at our destinations because we trust in the ability of whatever means of transportation is available to take us there.
It is, thus, fundamentally, important that we understand what faith is. It is to hope for things which are not seen, and to be assured that we have them. (Hebrews 11:1 ) God must and should be the focus of our faith. Therefore, faith that will transcend fear is the faith which is centered in God through Jesus Christ. This faith must be based on God’s perfect character. We must be assured that God possesses in all fullness the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, and power that we need, regardless of what we face or come up against. “We live by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 . This is the faith that liberates us from our ever-tormenting fears. It grants us boldness and access into the blessings that God has in store for us.
Also, this faith knows and professes that God wholly and habitually loves us. It assures us that God in his love will never permit a seemingly evil incident against us, unless it is intended to lift him up, and ultimately bless us. (Consider the triumphs of faith in the stories of Job, Daniel, Lazarus, and Hannah, etc).
God says: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 . “But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-“Psalms 103:17 . “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 . Like a child, we can place our confidence in God without reservation to meet our needs. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him (God) who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3
“Everything we need for life and godliness” include job, husband, wife, children, car, house, food, deliverance from evil operation, salvation from sin, (you name it) and, ultimately, heaven. True faith in Jesus Christ will move us to some physical and mental action and carries an assurance that what we hoped for is fulfilled because of the resourcefulness of God who has made the promise.
Have you observed how a child learns to walk? First he learns from those around him how to walk. Then he tries to walk (falling down often). His loving parents encourage him to keep trying, until he knows how to walk. Acquiring perfect faith and dispelling fear is just the same. We must hear God’s word and act on it, like a child. God is our rod, staff, rock, comfort, guide, shield, might etc. Start today to remind yourself that you are special. “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:15 . You are fenced up by God’s angelic host and you are the apple of God’s eyes.
For your focus on faith to be on God, you must have a correct idea of his character, his perfections, and his attributes. Know that he created the world – all things. His power is divine and all-assailing. All things exist in him and for him. “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. “2 Corinthians 1:20. You must have implicit faith in his word for “… thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalms 138:2 . Thus, like a child, you must have confidence in him and should without reservation believe that he will do what he has promised. “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” Numbers 23:19 .
You must be convinced of the effectiveness and the power of his word to meet your needs. Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29 . By his word he can meet all your needs. With his word, deliverance from evil oppression is achieved; he can impute you with righteousness and give you power to live daily for him, “for the word of God is living and active; it is 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.
Therefore, dear reader, you can afford to rest all your life’s affairs on God who has said: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10. “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates-all the Hittite country-to the Great Sea on the west. No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."I will not fail you or abandon you.” Joshua 1:3-9. “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13.
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