subject: Sustaining Spiritual Growth And Keeping The Faith By Carl Marshall [print this page] If you have faith, then now is the time to prove it. Faith, Foolishness or Presumption, by Dr. Frederick K. C. Price, is another book I strongly recommend from www.faithdome.org.
First, we begin by recognizing spiritual temptations. Spiritual temptation is that inner voice that speaks to us. Remember God communicates with us by faith. The will of God is already written in our spirit (Hebrews 8:10; 1 John 2:20); therefore, following his will comes naturally and not through an inner voice. Faith is not of the natural but of a godly nature. It is, therefore, of Jesus Christ. This level of communication is way above that which is of men, and only those who believe in Jesus Christ have it. Realize that we do not avoid temptation because of our faith. It is by faith that God through His beloved son, Jesus Christ, answer prayers. Therefore, it is important to continue to pray, Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) to avoid being led into temptations, which will help to increase ones confidence in the Word of God. This confidence is from the realization that God has answered our prayers.
Always remember that God works on his time, not ours. Therefore, he will provide for us when the time is right and not when we think the time is right. God is the spirit that knows all things; therefore, he will know all the dangers of life beforehand. We must never give in to sickness, unhappiness, loneliness, or allow our minds to control us. The light of our temple is the Word of God. Be faithful so that these words may manifest and do not render actions that may be extreme. Recall Jesus Christ, who suffered because of betrayal. The pain we feel, he has already experienced, so he understands our needs. It is, therefore, our duty to remain faithful, which will determine victory for us (the story of Job will describe this principle well and increase your faith).
If one is able to understand why God chooses who he chooses to reveal his ordinances, then one will understand why leaders of the early Jews were chosen. God first chose a leader that was strong in spirit, one that would sustain his or her spiritual growth. Yes, many did drink, but they did not have the New Testament to know the latter requirements of God. However, they faithfully waited on God, who was always first in their lives. This is very strong faith, to wait on someone you have never seen. Now, we, the latter generations, are doing the very same thing, but this time, we are all waiting independently on Jesus Christ to return. Abrahams temple is now in Jesus Christ, and so the book of the Old Testament is closed. The Jews and Gentiles are not divided, as they were in the Old Testament (Acts 15:7, 9; Galatians 3:2829; Ephesians 2:14). Therefore, those who are religious leaders must not think they are superior to others in their congregation. This act is from the evil one and seeing such works are intentional, they are mockeries to the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I, therefore, am begging you to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might (Ephesians 6:10) and not in the power of any leaders.
If one is to receive the Holy Spirit, it is because Jesus Christ is very pleased, as his Father was please with him when he received the Holy Spirit. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:17). We have the choice to either choose life or death, so we who have chosen life must go and Teach all nations (Matthew 28:19). Realize our status as ambassadors; it is because we have understood and obeyed the Word of God. Just to love God and go to congregational gatherings several times each week is not enough. In this case, we are limiting our intelligence to the teachings of the church, which limits the strength of our faith. If we love and trust God, then let us not be stiff-necked like the Jews in the Old Testament but remember to study the Bible and exercise intelligence to edify our true leaders in Jesus Christ. Simply to be in fellowship and worship God limits ones provisions in Christ, but those who have understood and obeyed the Word of God will have unlimited provisions (consider Abraham, Moses, and the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ).
The days of the Old Testament and our current days are similar in that the key element in keeping the faith is to understand the Word of God so that we become responsible for the choices we make. The faith of Abraham created Israel, but the faith of Jesus Christ created Abraham. Recall that God instructed Abraham to take the life of his son, but he told Jesus Christ to give up his own life. In both cases, they earned the responsibility of building a nation in God, the Father. If we understand the Word of God, then we certainly will learn how to pray and be patient for our needs in Jesus Christ. The consolation we will receive if we live by the way of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is eternal salvation. Remember, we are led into divers (different) temptation if we obey our inner voice. If we know the Word of God, then why would one listen to their inner voice? The path we choose to travel is our responsibility. The path of righteousness requires our patience in keeping the faith. Only then will we be able to see the results of our sacrifice.
This is also the way to eternal life. It is the third and final step, a step which depends on the mercy of God (Lamentations 3:22). Only God knows the sincerity of our hearts, so a true sacrifice does please the Lord, who, when pleased, rewards us in abundance. Recall that during the time of Israel, the tabernacle that God instructed them to build was built so that the atonement in Israel was finalized at the Mercy Seat (Exodus 31:7, 40:20). God would meet with Moses at the Mercy Seat to accomplish this task (Exodus 30:6). The Mercy Seat was symbolic of the mercy of God, which was granted after a sacrifice.
It should now be clear to us that God will grant us the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:56) if we are worthy, by which we will be saved. We then become heirs of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:7) because we have fought the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). That is, we are justified by his judgment to achieve eternal life. On the Day of Judgment, we, the just (the children of the Holy Spirit), will be saved and will live under the law of the God of Abraham and Moses forever.
I realize now the three steps to eternal life, which are:
1.Believe and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the son of God and was raised from the dead by he who sent him. Romans (10:9)
