The Fruit of Faith

Based on Roman's 4-5, Psalm 28

"Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." Romans 4:16‭-‬17.

It's true-this is quite a packed passage to start with! But it really says one simple thing: faith is the most important connection we have to God! Remember, Paul was trying to show why we need the law, but we need to go BEYOND it! Remember, we need to have a strong love for God first, and that will bring a strong desire to obey. It is also true that faith in God brings about obedience as well, and Paul uses the example of Abraham.

The above Scripture talks about the faith of Abraham...as it is written. Abraham's strong faith was written into God's Word, which IS God's law! While the actions we do for God are important, it's important to remember this: the things we see, do & hear would not be possible unless we had faith before their existence! Think about it...would we invest our time in something we had no faith in? Or no hope? How sure are we that God will come through? There are 2 important things to keep in mind through this reading:

1. Faith comes First!

Abraham was sure God would come through! Before he obeyed the law of circumcision, he had to have faith in God. Something like that couldn't be done out of one's own willpower:

"And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:" Romans 4:11.

This is not to discount the things Abraham was called to do of God, because the sign of circumcision was definitely a seal of righteousness. But reading on, it was a seal of righteousness OF FAITH which we had even before he was circumcised! A little background: circumcision was a sanctification process required by God for His people to separate themselves unto Him. Abraham obeyed, but it wasn't because he was forced-he had FAITH! And that's why Paul is saying it was important, but it doesn't mean we need to complete this ritual in this day & hour to have faith in God...because faith came FIRST!

2. Faith brings us FURTHER!

Not only did faith come first, but faith brings us further than the law & truly helps us go BEYOND. We must still practice obedience, but not just for the sake of obedience-for the sake of FAITH!

"And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Romans 4:21‭-‬25.

Abraham believed God, therefore he obeyed. Since Jesus is God, we believe in Him & are able to obey as well! Believing in Jesus means believing in the law!

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Romans 5:5.

Just like Abraham's circumcision, we have a circumcision of the heart with the Holy Ghost! Allowing God on the inside is the greatest evidence we can receive of God at work in our lives! Our faith builds as we rely on the Holy Ghost! Without faith first though, we can't receive it if we can't believe it! After that, we can go beyond & do more for God than we ever thought possible!

Faith is essential. Sometimes we go through our days without faith because we want to see the proof first. And sometimes, nothing happens. Faith comes first. Faith helps us obey. Faith brings us further than we ever can imagine. But remember, the Holy Ghost is the best way to see & feel the faith before it happens! Seek to receive His Spirit. Seek God. HAVE FAITH IT WILL COME TO PASS!

"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."
Acts 2:38.