Nearly everything that we who have been born-again do is by faith, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that what we are doing we are doing to the glory of God.
These letters to you are a monumental step of faith for me, for not only do I rarely have any idea about what I am going to write, but I feel unworthy to even do so. We live by the truth of Proverbs 3:6.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
That is faith, that is trust.
There is much more to faith than being obedient to what the Scriptures say, being obedient is fairly easy when you know what you are required to do, faith in service to the Almighty means sometimes walking where we have never gone before and doing so with the confidence that He will direct our path. But we need to be discerning enough to realize when we are not on the right part of the path.
“For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” (James 4:15)
Faith in the direction we are meant to go means taking the initial steps to find out if that direction is the correct one, and here many people err. How long are we to continue if there is no visible fruit to our labors, and who is it that should determine how much if there is indeed some fruit?
I can attest to this truth with the very small amount of views these letters receive, knowing full well and without any reservations that this is what I have been called to do, while at the same time seeing little fruit for my labors. I mean this in no disrespect, but it is not enough to say that my reward for this effort is waiting in heaven when there are so many souls yet to reach.
There is also another great truth to faith, it perseveres.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal. 6:9)
When we know for a fact that our Father in heaven is directing our steps, weariness is usually not the issue, if what you are doing is indeed His will for you, time is not of the essence, the work will be completed in His time. It is that perseverance we must adhere to when His time does not fully align with our timeline.
Every missionary sent out into the field will attest to this truth, and if their perseverance is lost, or wanes within themselves, the urgent anticipation they once held will also diminish. Look back on the day you were saved and see, is that fire within you still burning bright?
Faith believes the truth of Philippians 4:13.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
And is not diminished in anyway when you find out that you can’t. It was just the wrong part of the path you were on for a season.
That is, in part, how we learn to serve my friends, stepping out in faith and learning from our mistakes.
The other part is far more dangerous to our growth, never taking the risk that you might be wrong, only doing that which you have been commanded to do.
“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10)
The profitable servant is the one that understands the will of his Master and serves Him in ways beyond what he has been commanded to do. That is stepping out in faith. And yes, at times you will be mistaken.
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” (Prov. 24:16)
Does the Lord direct our steps so that we fail at times? Would you rather have to battle pride continuously because you never failed?
Acknowledge Him, trust Him, and then take that step.
