Evidence of Faith 1
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We have learned that we must live by faith in God’s Word in order to see the victory in our lives
We tell people “have faith”
As we have seen faith is more than a wish…it a tangible demonstration of what we believe
For the next few weeks we are going to look at evidences of faith that should be in the life of the believer
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
In the opening verses of the book of James, we are told to “COUNT it all JOY...”
The word Count here is the Greek word Hegayomai means to regard something as particularly important - to value it highly
It speaks about the experience that the believer is going through - though tough or painful, it will bring the desired result
It speaks about an understand of the purposes of life’s trials
And why should we highly value though times in our lives?
The word joy here Kharan - means the feeling of satisfaction from becoming more self-aware - seeing the result of our faith in a demonstrated way
You see, the first evidence of faith in the life of the believer is how they respond to difficult circumstances
James says that we “fall” into these events
Te word fall here is means to come into an awkward situation or punishment in part, innocently!
So lets reconstruct the verse:
My friends, regard with great attention the situations that you come into or punishment you receive unjustly, as it will result in a greater self actualization of the living faith that is in you!
Now there are 3 types of faith mentioned in the Scripture
Saving faith; Living faith; Dying faith
Saving faith is the faith of Salvation apart from work according to the Grace of God
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
That saving faith has been placed in all human on the earth
What they do with it is another story
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
If saving faith is available to men how is it acquired?
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
So once saving faith is exercised, faith for living and believing in God’s Word can begin to grow
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
So how do we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior?
Through discipleship!
Now learning is worthless unless it is put to the test!
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Patience - the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty! Kittle - The power to withstand hardship or stress; especially the inward fortitude necessary
My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.
John in revelations makes an interesting comment:
I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
You see it was all of the trials, tribulations, and unjust punishments that John went through that prepared him for his current state of affairs!
You see when an olive is pressed the most valuable product results from the first pressing!
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane - Garden of the oil press
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.