My Faith or, His Faithfulness?

It is so important for believers in this culture to reflect on the the truly simple aspects of our faith. It all boils down to the faithfulness of Christ! Photo by John Fairrington The Grand Tetons 2013.

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Can a Walk of Faith Be Simple?

My Faith or, His Faithfulness?

2 Peter 1:1-4 (KJV)
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Defining Simple Faith and My Discovery

     I was never under the impression that my faith was simple! So, first it was important that I have a simplistic approach and understanding of what simple faith truly is and what it has provided for the sinner!
    For too long now the Christian constituency has walked in perpetual defeat. I am amazed at how frequently we throw ourselves out there for examination from others and even more importantly the examination of self. I have always hated exams since my early adolescence! Perpetually being measured against something or someone else and attempting to dodge the pressure of standing out in performance, acceptance, and achievement.

    Embedded in this realm of self-awareness is the unbiblical idea that we are to constantly reflect on our failures, inconsistencies, and repetitive sin nature. This forever keeps us off point. Simple faith, precious faith is living in and embracing the righteousness provided once and for all through the work of God and our Savior Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. This Grace and peace is also perpetually multiplied through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ.

    That, folks, is what we are to examine! Are you walking in the simple faith that Jesus has provided everything pertaining to “life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue”?
    I believe that the enemy of our faith catches us in a trap when we submit ourselves to a perpetual “I” exam! Peter gives encouragement that was never designed to be self examination or to put a noose around our necks. Rather, it was to focus us on the only thing that matters, the only thing that effectively finalizes my right standing with God as a sinner saved by Grace. You are the Righteousness of Christ because Jesus passed the test! There is no more self-examination, no more condemnation and no more on and off faith, based on how well you are doing at any given point in the day. For too long this has been the theological and doctrinal proclamation of those bound by their own self-righteousness and sin sniffing. Admittedly, I was once an authority on both of these prideful traits!

Examining Faith with Simplicity

    It can be made simple! Start your day with the affirmation that you are in Christ! Ask yourself the question, has Christ died for me? Has He completely restored me to right standing before the Father and hidden me in himself? If the answer is yes then you pass the exam! Not only that, but even though you are a weakling, you have also graduated into living with Him by the Power of God toward you!

2 Corinthians 13:4
For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

Assignment

Take some time to let the reality of this passage soak in. Converse with the Lord and pray through each verse, every day until you can naturally defend the assault of self-righteousness and your adversary the Devil who ever lives to complicate a simple walk of faith!