Hebrews 11 - FAITH
"by faith" = action
faith requires ACTION!
TRUST that all things God speaks are true = He is TRUSTWORTHY
Faith is really working in our lives when we take action knowing that pain and difficulty will result because we are promised to suffer like Christ.
"Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in me, believe also in Him."
John 14:1
Lack of Faith comes because:
~ I don't understand His Word fully.
~ I don't believe God can see me the way He says He does (through the veil of Christ = without sin)
The Faith we are given is sufficient but it needs to be exercised!
(This was Jesus' response to the disciples request for an increase in faith.)
Luke 17:1-10
Abraham - sacrificing Isaac through FAITH in God's promise of the unseen.
Hebrews 11:17
Abraham's faith produced action causing tribulation/trial...AND he received the fullness of God's promise in JOY!
"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Thess. 1:3
FAITH produces work...actions are the result of FAITH!
Actions do NOT earn faith, or salvation, but are a result of maturing faith.
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith."
1 Thess. 3:7
Faith = Action/Work = Tribulation/Distress (sometimes) = JOY (always)
**God will draw others to Himself through the JOY we express as a result of FAITH in and through our trials/tribulations!
What a Holy calling we have!!!
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