Hebrews 11:1
The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
I'm really not crazy about the term "Radical Faith". I understand why it is used, when reading Hebrews 11. Some refer to this chapter as the Hall of Faith. Choices and deeds done because the people listed put their faith and trust in God. But to be honest with you, there should be nothing radical about this. This should be the way we live everyday. If it appears radical to me, then I must be living below the measurement of what real faith is. It's kind of like the way we view God. If God acts in someones life, or answers a prayer that seemed impossible, we would refer to that as "Supernatural". Truth is, to God , it was very natural.
I'm not lumping everyone in one basket and saying that all believers are living a sub-standard life of faith. I am saying that what passes for faith in most of our lives, could use a bit of exercising. It's one thing to claim to have faith...it's another to exercise it in every area of your life.
Faith is the spiritual glue that binds me to Jesus. It is applied to my heart and I know, sometimes beyond reason, that God truly who He claims to be, and will do what He has promised He would. No matter what my five senses tell me. No matter what my rational thinking (and sometimes irrational thinking) may say. No matter what the majority may agree on, I am called to live in a different way on a different plane. I am called to live by faith.
So, what do I know to be truth this morning?
1.) Scripture tells me that every person is given a "Measure" of faith.
2.) It isn't the size of the faith, or the impression you have of how much faith you do or do not possess that is important.
3.) You've got to exercise it. You've got to apply your belief in God and what He is capable of doing to every situation in your life. Now you can't read into your situations what you think He might do. You can't read into your situations what you think He should do. You have to believe that He has your best interest at heart and will act on that. II Corinthians 5:7 reads For we walk by FAITH, not by sight.
What this means to someone coming into recovery is that you have to begin to allow God to bring discipline to your heart and your life. Everything you do becomes accountable to Him. "Well, that sounds like a lot of work." At first, it will be a lot of work. You'll won't to quit. You'll want to go back to your old life and old ways. But don't. Sometimes I think we only want a God who'll save us, get us out of hell and clean up all our messes. Well, it doesn't work that way. Such is the reason the big book of A.A. says that "we look for the easier, softer way."
I like the way the Message Bible stated what faith is.
The fundamental fact of existence. It is the foundation under everything that makes life worth living. Faith is directed toward a person. That person is the very foundation of our existence. That person has defined what real life is, and has been given the pleasure of bringing real life, abundant life to those who choose to live by faith in Him. That foundation has a name, and that name is Jesus.
What foundation are you living upon today?
Is it the Federal Government? Sorry, they will let you down.
Is it family or friends? They too will let your down.
Is it your own ability and wisdom? How's that working out?
There is only one foundation that has stood the test of time. Jesus.
Throw a faith line to Him. Lay hold of His offer of real life and then hang on for the ride.
You won't be sorry.
God on you...
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