YOUR FAITH - Part Six

by Robert Bailes

"Your Faith Will Direct You!"

It is in the presence of God that we find our refuge and peace in the middle of turmoil!

We often hear this affirmation that is meant to comfort us; from religious leaders in churches; on the Christian radio and TV programs and sometimes even from people we consider to be brothers and sisters in Christ. When I stop and really think about this, I have to ask myself a very simple, yet sincere and meaningful question, "How can I remain in the presence of God while living on this earth with all of the pressures, variables and temptations that we face from moment to moment each day?".

It's an awesome picture when we imagine ourselves there at the throne of God where no problems seem to exist, but in reality we often panic as soon as we hear the thunder and know the storm is coming, so to speak. People alive today aren't the only ones who react this way. I recall reading about the disciples of Jesus reacting in the very same way at times!

How then, does our faith direct us; even in times when we are tempted to make a wrong choice or in the stressful places of our lives when we might over react out of the flesh? I want to go into this a little bit deeper with you, but first, let's look at how our faith and the things that we do tie together in the life of the believer.
Some of us might go so far as to say that our faith in God is something that is totally private and that it isn't anyone else's business, but I want us to look at a passage in the book of James that tells me a something that is a bit contrary to this common belief,

James 2:14-17
14 What doth it profit, my brothers, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, "Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled"; and not giving them those things which are needful to the body; what help is it?
17 Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.

What James is telling us in this passage is that we are going to change the way we act when we have a genuine faith in our God. Why? Because our God tells us in the Word how we ought to act towards others if we are true believers (Ephesians 5:1-6), so we can determine our own standing of our faith in God by examining our day to day actions. This brings us to a realization then, what we practice daily is an indicator of whether or not we are living in the presence of God! Some people may get offended by this statement, but it is true my friend.

God is not the source of evil desires, neglect of those who have needs, our pride and selfishness and the temptations of our flesh. We can rest assured that we aren't dwelling in the presence of God when we are living in these circumstances and attitudes!

Why would we panic when the storm comes? Could it be that the faith that we have said we have in God, may actually have been more in ourselves? Take heed! Beware! There are many popular people alive and on the commercial billboards that will tell us all that we have to trust and believe in ourselves to do anything in life! Again, I say, beware!

Let's look at another passage concerning this warning I give to you,

James 2:19-20
19 You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

When I pray for our country and the many different religious organizations across the globe, my heart is burdened so much for the many who are misled by religious leaders that teach that you ONLY have to say "I believe" and you instantly become a child of God bound for heaven. The thing that is so vital in man's "faith in God" is the understanding of who God is and what God means to us and how we have failed Him miserable in our flesh. Then by this realization; coming to the repentance of sin and receiving a New Life that flows freely to all who accept the infinite mercy and grace of God.

I'm talking about God's grace and mercy that judges us "with the law of liberty" and that "rejoices against judgement"!

James 2:12-13
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment.

James wanted those who read his message here to realize that when you receive the mercy of God by the faith that only God gives you, you must have come to the knowledge that you needed mercy, meaning that you have been pardoned and forgiven of the judgement for your sins. Through the knowledge and realization of this, God is able to dwell in us by his Spirit, giving us the law of liberty. We are free indeed! What happens next is a transformation that we find taking place in the life of anyone who accepts God's mercy by faith. The things that you do and the things that you say and the places that you go will change!

You see, being in God's presence is as much about our practice as it is about our faith and believing in God. It's what we practice that others identify with and that confirms that we are assured of our relationship with God.

It is amazing, but it really isn't that hard to understand, when you know about the fruits of the Spirit and what kind of God you serve!(Ephesians 4:22-32)
It's so awesome to know that our pardon and becoming a child of God allows us to be in the presence of our Lord all the time, as He tells us that His Spirit will dwell in us if we accept Him by faith. God's ability to be omnipresent allows you to feel His presence in your storms while people in every other country on the globe are able to feel His presence at the very same time! That is the awesome power of our God! (Ephesians 4:4-7)

Think about this for a moment! How does a pilot land an airplane at a large airport when there are other planes taking off and landing all at the same time? Each pilot must have come to a place in their training and understanding where they have faith in the air traffic controller. They literally put their life in someone else's hands!
Interestingly enough, the person sitting in the air traffic control tower is telling the pilot exactly what to do and where he should be long before the tower ever comes into view of the person flying the plane. How can this kind of trust be possible? The pilot can't see the airport or even the person on the radio who is directing them, but the fact is that the air traffic controller is able to at all times see exactly where the plane is on the radar screen. This is what gives the pilot and most of the people aboard the plane the assurance that they are going to be directed safely to their destination, no matter how stressful or stormy it may seem when they look out the windows and see the surrounding circumstances. They have established a hope in the people who are watching them by radar, believing that they are going to take care of them and bring them safely home. This is much like our faith and trust in God as we follow His direction in our life. (Ephesians 6:23,24)

It is by this true faith in God that Paul was able to claim in his inspired letter to the Philippians, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me!" (Philippians 4:13)

That being said, let's look at something that a genuine faith in God will not direct us towards!

James 1:12-15
12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.

James makes it very clear that we cannot be drawn by God into the trap of the lust of our flesh. When we have a true and genuine faith in the God of our salvation, our lives will not be directed into the acts of the flesh which lead us to death, but rather we will find ourselves desiring the acts of the flesh that lead to an abundant life that is found when we are in the presence of our Lord. Regardless of the circumstances, we will find this peace that passes all understanding when we walk in the light of His Word!

That brings me to the the last place that we are directed by our faith in God. Spending time in the word of God is sweet to the eyes and ears of those who have a true faith in God. Not just a belief; as even the demons believe that there is a God!

If your relationship with God hasn't drawn you to the Word and you haven't been experiencing the guidance and intercession of the Holy Spirit in your life (Romans 8:24-31), I encourage you to search your heart and see if it is possible that you could have believed in God, but the faith that James is talking about, just isn't showing evidence in your actions! Maybe you've been living life chasing after the pleasures of the flesh. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Your not alone! But we are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ! (Romans 3:23,24)(Romans 6:20-23)

You don't have to continue feeling discouraged and go into a panic when the next storm of life comes your way. (Romans 8:35-39)
You can make sure today that you are a child of God and that you have expressed your faith in God through repentance and acceptance of His mercy and grace that pardons you of all you have ever done wrong in your lifetime! It is then that you will experience the direction of your faith by the leading of the Spirit of God that will dwell in you! (Romans 8:13-16)

I find it to be so exciting and exhilarating to know that we have a victorious life when we live by faith without doubt! (Ephesians 2:8-10)

To those who have trusted by faith in God without doubt, remember that James tells us that when we help turn someone back from the error of their ways, we save that person's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins!(James 5:19-20)

So let's demonstrate our faith through our actions in the sharing of this good news of salvation to all who we come in contact with!

WORDS OF WISDOM

Hebrews 11:3
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.