Lesson 10 - A Faithful People
Philippians 1:10
So that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ
Introduction
Often when we think of the word "faithful" we focus on our belief in God. We say we are a faithful people if we believe that God exist. However belief in God does not mean that one has faith. Even the demons believe in God (James 2:19) however they do not practice faith in Him. Breaking the word down into its two parts faithful means "full of faith." To be full of faith your belief must be only the foundation of your Christianity and that belief provides solid ground upon which we can build. Here are a few ways we can define faithful beyond base belief:
1. Being a loyal and obedient servant (Matthew 25:21)
2. Believing He will, and allow God to, work in our lives (Galatians 2:20)
3. Trusting the Word completely and absolutely (Romans 10:8)
Let's apply these principles to our lives and become the best brush strokes we can be.
Attention
Having a life filled with faith begins with deciding that acknowledging His existence in not enough. We must make the decision that our lives will be overflowing with faith. Ephesians 3:17 says that our Christ can live in us through our faith filled lives. If our minds are filled with faith there will less room for doubts, fears and the distractions with which Satan tempts us. Making up our minds to be faithful no matter what comes our way will allow us to remain faithful when times are hard. If we wait to make up our minds when we face these times staying faithful will be far more difficult.
Action
Faith requires action! We must show our faith by the lives we live, the things we do, the things we do not do and how we act when times are good and when they are not. While faithfulness begins in our minds as a commitment between an individual and God it is proven through our labors for the Lord. James 2:17 says very clearly that faith without works is not a living faith, but a dead one. Let's look at a few practical ways we can show our faith through what we do:
1. Pray to God to increase our faith. By surrendering ourselves to God through prayer we will be drawn closer to Him and He will increase our faith.
2. Pray to God to increase the faith of others (Luke 22:32).
3. Make up your mind in advance to allow God to work in your life.
4. Tell others about our faith (1 Timothy 6:12).
5. Earnestly desire the salvation of others. This was Paul's desire for the Jews (Romans 10:1).
By working for God we will build our faithfulness and become the kind of brush strokes He would like us to be.
Attitude
By having an attitude of purity, love and a clear conscience as well conducting our lives righteously our faith will shine through, especially as we share Christianity (1 Timothy 1:5). When our character allows us to give God the glory for the blessings, and place our challenges in His hands we can focus on living lives that will give Him the praise He deserves. This kind of life will attract the attention of those around us and allow them to see the Lord working in and through us.
Scriptures
Philippians 1:10
So that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ
James 2:19
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
Matthew 25:21
His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me.
Romans 10:8
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" that is, the word of faith which we are preaching
Ephesians 3:17
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
Luke 22:32
but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Romans 10:1
Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.
1 Timothy 1:5
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Print
Philippians 1:10
So that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ
Introduction
Often when we think of the word "faithful" we focus on our belief in God. We say we are a faithful people if we believe that God exist. However belief in God does not mean that one has faith. Even the demons believe in God (James 2:19) however they do not practice faith in Him. Breaking the word down into its two parts faithful means "full of faith." To be full of faith your belief must be only the foundation of your Christianity and that belief provides solid ground upon which we can build. Here are a few ways we can define faithful beyond base belief:
1. Being a loyal and obedient servant (Matthew 25:21)
2. Believing He will, and allow God to, work in our lives (Galatians 2:20)
3. Trusting the Word completely and absolutely (Romans 10:8)
Let's apply these principles to our lives and become the best brush strokes we can be.
Attention
Having a life filled with faith begins with deciding that acknowledging His existence in not enough. We must make the decision that our lives will be overflowing with faith. Ephesians 3:17 says that our Christ can live in us through our faith filled lives. If our minds are filled with faith there will less room for doubts, fears and the distractions with which Satan tempts us. Making up our minds to be faithful no matter what comes our way will allow us to remain faithful when times are hard. If we wait to make up our minds when we face these times staying faithful will be far more difficult.
Action
Faith requires action! We must show our faith by the lives we live, the things we do, the things we do not do and how we act when times are good and when they are not. While faithfulness begins in our minds as a commitment between an individual and God it is proven through our labors for the Lord. James 2:17 says very clearly that faith without works is not a living faith, but a dead one. Let's look at a few practical ways we can show our faith through what we do:
1. Pray to God to increase our faith. By surrendering ourselves to God through prayer we will be drawn closer to Him and He will increase our faith.
2. Pray to God to increase the faith of others (Luke 22:32).
3. Make up your mind in advance to allow God to work in your life.
4. Tell others about our faith (1 Timothy 6:12).
5. Earnestly desire the salvation of others. This was Paul's desire for the Jews (Romans 10:1).
By working for God we will build our faithfulness and become the kind of brush strokes He would like us to be.
Attitude
By having an attitude of purity, love and a clear conscience as well conducting our lives righteously our faith will shine through, especially as we share Christianity (1 Timothy 1:5). When our character allows us to give God the glory for the blessings, and place our challenges in His hands we can focus on living lives that will give Him the praise He deserves. This kind of life will attract the attention of those around us and allow them to see the Lord working in and through us.
Scriptures
Philippians 1:10
So that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ
James 2:19
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
Matthew 25:21
His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me.
Romans 10:8
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" that is, the word of faith which we are preaching
Ephesians 3:17
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
Luke 22:32
but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Romans 10:1
Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.
1 Timothy 1:5
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
