Abraham believed God and God counted that as his righteousness.
~ Genesis 15:6
Faith
Trust is beautiful. Relationships thrive when people know they can rely on each other. We live in a world where not everything is explainable and not everything can be seen. God’s ways are higher than ours and God is invisible. But we are surrounded by evidence of His creative power. He expects us to acknowledge Him, thank Him and seek to know Him. His approval comes when we trust Him.
Each of us is deeply flawed. God, on the other hand, is morally perfect. There is a gulf between us. Our nature is to stand apart from God, to depend on ourselves, to want to control life. God is pleased when we adopt a different spirit – when we seek Him, believe Him and obey Him.
There is no ritual, no religious practice, no good deed that could buy His affection. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
True faith goes beyond mere acknowledgement. It is belief that translates into action – that responds to the prompting of God and looks for His leading.
It is an enduring faith that does not demand empirical evidence. It affects the believer in every aspect of life.
God has revealed His character in Jesus. God made Jesus a sacrifice of atonement for our flaws and failings. When we recognise Jesus we recognise God.
The apostle Peter, speaking to the Jews, the covenant people of God, said that acceptance with God only comes through faith in the name of Jesus.
The life of faith is the opposite of a life of reason, a life of independence, a life that relies on what can be seen. It is different. It is a life that trusts in Jesus.
... continue reading: What does it mean to be saved?
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