Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Dec 20th, 2023 Living by Faith

Today’s Passage – Hebrews 10 – 11 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 96 – 100; Proverbs 20)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 51:11

Read the “1220 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this morning’s reading passage – “Of Whom the World Was Not Worthy“.

“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”(Hebrews 10:38)

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, andthat he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

Hebrews chapter 11 is the great “Hall of Faith” chapter of the Bible. In it, God gives us example after example of men and women who lived by faith. They may have stumbled, and some may even have fallen a time or two in their lives, but for the most part their lives were characterized by their faith in God. What does it mean to live by faith? What exactly is faith? These are questions that few people in our world truly understand the answers to. Is faith just a mere acknowledgement of the fact that there is a God out there somewhere, or is our faith supposed to be more tangible than that; more substantive?

Faith begins with God, and is strengthened by the Word of God. God puts something inside all of us that draws us toward Him. He begins the process. He reveals Himself to us in a variety of ways: through creation, through the testimony of others, through a vacuum in our soul that somehow we know can only be filled by Him. If we are truly drawn to God, then we will also be drawn to His Word. His Word will strengthen our faith in Him. I have never seen God. Everything I know about God, I have received from His Word, and something inside of me tells me that His Word is true. I know that not everyone will receive this work of faith in their life. Most will resist and reject the clear evidences of Himself that God places in and around them.

Now once that I have received the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, I must also choose to walk by faith; live by faith. All this means is that I trust the principles, prophecies, and promises contained in His Word, and I regulate my life around them. For instance, God’s Word tells me in Hebrews 10 that I am to assemble together with my brothers and sisters in Christ. If I am walking by faith, than I will yield my life to that principle because I believe God and want to obey His will. The degree to which we obey God seems to be directly related to the degree to which we believe God. Now the alternative to a life of faith is a life that is lived according to our own human reasoning. The problem with reasoning is that it is constantly changing, and when it is in disagreement with the principles found in God’s Word (which it often is), it will lead to error and heartache.

Christian, as we approach this new year, let us resolve to strengthen our faith through time spent with God daily in His Word, and then let us yield to the principles that He gives us to live by. I think you will find that by doing so, not only will you see more fruit in your life, but you will also find more fulfillment. Through the years, I have learned to trust God; to live by faith. I remember that there were times in Bible College, and in the pastorate, that my faith in God was tested; but God always came through. He always provided for my family, and He always did everything that He promised that He would do; and each time I trusted Him, my faith was strengthened. Sometimes, people never get to the point of having great faith because they fail to trust God in the little things of life. All I can say to these folks is that you can trust God. He will deliver. He will bless you far more abundantly than you can even imagine; but you have to come to Him in faith, because it is the only thing that pleases Him.