Live by Faith

~ The Best New Year’s Resolution: “Live by Faith” ~

Introduction  ~  When God’s Word commands the same thing for His people in four separate places we ought to pay close attention. 

Four Passages  ~  “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.  Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.  Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:3-4).  Notice that this passage is in context to the Messiah’s coming. 

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:17). 

“But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’  Yet the law is not of faith, but ‘the man who does them shall live by them’” (Galatians 3:11-12). 

“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: ‘For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry.  Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.’  But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:36-39).  Notice that this passage is in context to the Jesus Christ’s Second Coming. 

The Apostle Paul’s Example  ~  “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain” (Galatians 2:20-21).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

In His Hands

~ Are You Content to Trust the Only Trustworthy One? ~    

The Psalmist stated, “My times are in Your hand” (Psalm 31:15a).

background:  I consider myself very privileged to as a small boy been involved in a very fundamental local group of Christian believers. Many of my roots go back to those early years in my life. One of my all-time favorite hymns comes out of that period—the words may be dated but the message is very contemporary. 

Our times are in Thy Hand;

Father, we wish them there!

Our life, our souls, our all we leave

Entirely to Thy care.

Our times are in Thy hand;

Whatever they may be;

Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,

As best may seem to Thee.

Our times are in Thy hand;

Why would we doubt or fear?

Our father’s had will never cause

His child a needless tear.

Our times are in Thy hand;

Jesus the crucified!

The hand our many sins have pierced

Is now our guard and guide.

Our times are in Thy hand;

O Lord, our Advocate!

Nor is that hand outstretched in vain,

For us to supplicate.

Our times are in Thy hand;

We’ll always trust in Thee,

Till we have left this weary land,

And all Thy glory see.

How about you? Do you consistently and confidently believe that your times are in God’s hands? Can you trust the Creator and sustainer of all (Colossians 1:15-17) with your life? 

Consider the Psalmists prayer. “Desperate, I throw myself on You: You are my God! Hour by hour I place my days in Your hand, safe from the hands out to get me. Warm me, Your servant, with a smile; save me because You love me. Don’t embarrass me by not showing up; I’ve given You plenty of notice. Embarrass the wicked, stand them up, leave them stupidly shaking their heads as they drift down to hell. Gag those loudmouthed liars who heckle me, your follower, with jeers and catcalls” (Psalm 31:14-18, The Message).

Can you pray and trust like the Psalmist? Most importantly, do you have confidence that whatever happens God is in control—your times are in His hands? Does that give you peace? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Is…, 59

~ Jesus Christ Is Our Redemption~

Passage  ~  “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption — that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

Significance  ~  As a Christian you are God’s possession twice over.  First by His creation of you and secondly by His deliberate purchase of you. 

Comment  ~  It is important to understand what Scripture means by redemption.  The basic concept is to deliver by paying a price such as to purchase in a market (think of a slave market) or to buy back from the market (think of a pawn shop).  All people on earth belong to Jesus Christ on the basis of His creation.  The Christian also belongs to Jesus Christ on the basis of redemption—where He bought us back with the price of His own blood on the Cross of Calvary. 

Another inherent aspect of the Biblical concept of redemption is to be set free by another paying a price.  Jesus Christ set us free from being a slave to sin which enables us to live a new spiritual life through the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. 

The Trinity & Redemption  ~  The love of the Father sent His Son to die for us.  The Son of God was obedient to the will of His Father and voluntarily died for our sins.  It is the Spirit of God that uses the Word of God to allow us to be set free from the bondage of sin and our past condition. 

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .