The Good News Is I Can Find Strength
Weakness in faith is one of the most effective tool in the devil’s tool box. All of us at one time or another have doubted the power of the Word of God. The deception lies in the devil’s ability to convince us we can be alright outside of the authority that is in God’s Word. None of the benefits and strengths can be realized in disobedience to God’s Word. Outside of the living Word of God an individual becomes a god to themselves. An unhardened heart gives an honest self-examination. An honest heart tells us that separation from God’s Word will eventually leave us separated from God eternally. How do we keep strong in what we believe?
Very Simply:
Consider keeping your mind receptive to the Word of God
Hebrews 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 5 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. KJV
Consider going to God and His Word and not away from Him
Hebrews 10:22-23 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) KJV
James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. KJV
Consider the benefits of having the faith that leads to obedience to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. KJV
Rom 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. KJV
1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. KJV
Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. KJV
Consider the lack of faith that does not lead to obedience to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
2Thes 1:8-9 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; KJV
Consider that our faith needs to be with the Word of God only, so there is no weakness and doubt
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. KJV
Consider if the Word of God was compromised when we came to have faith, what validity does that belief have in the eyes of God?
Mat 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. KJV
Consider that there is a way to have confidence in your faith
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. KJV
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. KJV
Consider that when our faith and our belief in the Word of God in Jesus Christ has power, our sins are truly forgiven
Act 2:37-38 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. KJV
The Good News is that we can have confidence in our belief when our faith is based only on what the Word of God through Christ Jesus teaches. The Good News is that when we become weak, that through prayer we can be strengthened. The Good News is that the pure Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ saves us and if we obey that Gospel and remain faithful we will have a home with him for eternity.
By Tim Anderson