How Precious is Our Faith

The season of gift-giving is once again here. We will be givers and receivers of gifts that may or may not have much value, or, which may have been pricey. Yet, how dear, how precious will any of those gifts be even six months from now?

There is a gift that children of God receive that will grow greater in value throughout all eternity - that is the gift of faith. Yes, faith in God and His promises is a gift that the world cannot receive, but which is granted to those who are called by God. Note how God conveys this in Ephesians chapter 2. After describing in the opening verses our pitiful state, and what it means to be spiritually dead, He contrasts that death with spiritual life in Christ. In verse eight, we read: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing [we didn't develop faith on our own and suddenly recognized God]; it is the gift of God-- (NRSV)". In the letter to the Hebrews we are reminded that "Jesus [is] the author and finisher of our faith... (chapter 12,, vs. 2a-NKJV)". God gives us faith so that we can please Him in our worship, for without the faith that God gives, our worship is in vain. (see Hebrews 11:6). God gives us faith so that we can acquire peace with Him through forgiveness of our condemnation of sin. (Romans 5:1)

God intends that we be good stewards of the gift of faith through nurturing it, and growing up into Christ. (see Colossians 2:6-7; Philippians 2:12-17; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Jude 1:20-21) When we truly understand faith as a gift of God - a grace unique to those who have been called by Him, when we know and comprehend in the deepest part of our souls what it took for this gift to be purchased for us, perhaps, in all graciousness of God, we may fully understand this gift's value, its wrappings and presentation. Read in God's word through Peter in his second letter, at chapter 1, beginning at verse 1, "Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4) by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5) But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6) to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7) to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8) For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9) For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10) Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11) for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (NKJV)

When we consider the grace through faith that God has given us at such great cost, in such unperishable and beautiful wrappings, we will be able to sing with all conviction the words in the favorite hymn, Amazing Grace, "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me...how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed...tis grace that brought safe thus far, and grace will lead me home." Let us each ask ourselves honestly, "how precious is my faith, my undeserved gift from God?"

You Are God!

You are God alone.
You are on the throne.

LORD, let me remember all of my earthly days that you alone are worthy of my praise. That there is no other God but you in my life. Father even if in your permissive will I become senile, do not let me forget you! You are God! Alone!