Faith Always Does What It Takes
Faith is always forward moving. Faith is not idle. It does not cower. It presses through and it keeps going because faith does what it takes to see the outcome that faith is calling for. Faith does not accept defeat, make excuses, or stop believing because of pressure. Faith is inexhaustible and limitless in its reach. True, Godly faith can never be stopped or conquered but overcomes every obstacle.
Doesn’t faith sound like something to have? Look what Jude 1:3 says, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Notice the same faith that was given to them was given to us. Jude tells us it was ONCE FOR ALL delivered. What does that mean? It means it was delivered once, for all. But the very nature of faith tells us it must be received. Besides from scripture, we know this because we can see that not all have that same kind of faith.
I encourage you, truly look at the life of the apostles after Jesus left and tell me if they looked weak. You won’t see weakness but what you will see is the faith I wrote about in the beginning of this Faith Fix. It is through their lives that we see the transition of this power that Jesus carried transferred upon ordinary men. Yet here is the truth, we, like them, MUST CONTEND for it if we want to walk in it. It is not enough to simply be enamored by it. You must desire it in the true sense of the word.
Faith is the muscle of God but like any muscle its strength is determined by the extent it is exercised. 1 Timothy 4:8 says, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” Godliness, or thinking like God thinks, living by faith is profitable for all things. Faith is the promise for eternal life as well as life now. Faith is how we are meant to live.
Like any engine, each is designed to operate most effectively on a certain type of fuel. Imagine buying a vehicle with a diesel engine and putting gas in it. Imagine trying to run a gas engine on water. It just won’t work. Similarly, God designed us intending that we exist in faith, meaning that all we do and accomplish would be by and through faith. Contend for it the Word says. To contend for is to fight for. When trial comes against you do you fight to think as you should? Do you say it’s too hard or do you say what God says about it? Do you listen to the doubt in your head or do you quote the scripture back to it, answering doubt? This is what it means to contend for the faith, when it’s hard you do all you can do to stay there.
Sure you can give up. If you give up in your saying you’ve given up in faith. The result however will not be enjoyable. When the heat gets turned up in your life you can decide where it goes. The fire can either propel you forward or consume you but the choice is yours. Live by faith! Contend for it! Don’t give that devil any ground and live the way God made you! He’s got you, so you’ve got this!
Be Blessed,
Pastor Jeff
