"But you, man of God…. pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." - 1 Timothy 6:11
Faith! This is the third Christlike characteristic that Paul tells Timothy to pursue. So what is this faith we are to pursue? Simply put: It’s a confident trust in God for everything! An unwavering confidence in God’s power, unwavering confidence in God’s purpose, unwavering confidence in God’s plan, unwavering confidence in God’s provision, unwavering confidence in God’s promise. Whatever is going on around us and within us, we live our lives believing God!
Paul writing to the church in Galatia put it this way...
"I have been crucified with Christ… it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." - Galatians 2:16,20 AMP
Wow! So the man of God lives by this kind of faith! He trusts the sovereign God to keep His Word and meet his needs and provide everything. There’s no frustration, no anxiety, no sulking and definitely no pity parties! He just lives day by day in faith and by faith.
As a young Christian I remember hearing this acrostic for the word FAITH:
F Forsaking
A All
I I
T Trust
H Him
So what does this mean for you and me in our everyday lives?
Living by faith pleases our Heavenly Father
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." - Hebrews 11:6
So how do I do this? Paul writing to the church in Rome said...
“So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognise what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” - Romans 12:1-2 MSG
In another place, Paul says...
“So we make it our goal to please him…” - 2 Corinthians 5:9
In what way are your life’s attitudes, ambitions, and actions pleasing to God? Or maybe it’s time for you to readjust your life’s priorities.
Living by faith gives me opportunity to see the promises of God unfold in my life
"This is GOD's Word on the subject: "… I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out-plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." - Jeremiah 29:10-11 MSG
What future are you hoping for? Blessing, success, health and happiness? Jesus said...
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” - Matthew 6:33
This is the life of faith! Not being distracted by what we see with our natural eyes. Our natural eyes might say that it’s not working out, that God has let you down and that it would be better to live for the pleasures of this world. But if you see with eyes of faith you will be moved to trust God and obey him, even if the cost is great.
You already have faith in Christ, now walk daily in that faith, and pursue even greater faith.
Which area of walking in faith do you struggle with the most?
Prayer
Bible Reading
Discipleship
Obedience
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." - Romans 10:17
Prayer: Thank you Heavenly Father that you have given me faith. Help me daily to trust You with my life and my future as I pursue this life of faith.
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