Faith Instills Love

September 30, 2012 Background Scripture: Hebrews 13; 1 Corinthians 13 Lesson Passage: Hebrews 13:1 – 3, 6; 1 Corinthians 13 Faith allows for the gradual impartation of love into the heart and very life of the believer. This is by no means a quick or easy process but one that is fundamental to spiritual maturation. It is more than a notion to develop heartfelt concern for the welfare of others—especially strangers. Yet, faith operates in the heart of the believer to bring it about. The writer of the Hebrew epistle focuses the reader’s attention on this thought prior to concluding the letter. After all that was written concerning what faith is and how it is manifest in the lives of believers, the writer reminds the readers of our obligation to endure and have gratitude because of the examples of others. In our lesson today, the author offers additional advice interwoven with the exhortation to apply love in situations involving strangers and out of concern for prisoners. No doubt, the reference here is to political prisoners who were incarcerated as a result of their faith in Jesus Christ. During the time when the epistle was written, the religious establishment and the local governments forbade people from being associated with this new “way” called Christianity. As a result of this early persecution, many Christians were imprisoned simply because of their religious beliefs. On the other hand when the writer makes reference to strangers, this could be anyone who might happen into our lives unexpectedly. In both cases, whether prisoners or strangers, we are to allow the love of God to flow through us while at the same time recognizing that God is the one who assists us in carrying out this action. Likewise, the Apostle Paul in his writing insisted on the place of faith and love as it pertained to spiritual gifts. Paul reminded Christians that the only proper way to exercise or use the gifts bestowed on us by the Holy Ghost is through love. In other words, the gifts should be used out of a heart of benevolence. Freely we have received and freely we should give. Paul described faith and love as two of the three abiding graces. When all else is gone, faith and love continue to abide along with hope. This can only be made possible when our faith is rooted and grounded in the word of God. We can go on loving in spite of because our love will not be dependent on the worth or merit of the one receiving it nor will it depend on us. This type of benevolence has to have God as the source and sustainer of it. Our faith in the all-sufficiency of God keeps us grounded. As our faith in God increases, so too does our benevolence towards others. Again, this is not an overnight transformation for us. Every situation that comes along to test our faith is part of the process that helps us to grow spiritually. Every situation that causes us to turn to God for answers or just peace of mind is part of the process that leads to spiritual growth. As we are affected by God’s display of love in our lives, we will reflect that same love in the lives of others. The more we turn to God, the more we can love others. It is our faith that causes us to turn to God. This same faith works in us instilling love. Robert C. Hudson September 19, 2012

Faith Gives Assurance

September 9, 2012 Background Scripture: Hebrews 11; Psalm 46 Lesson Passage: Hebrews 11:1 – 6; Psalm 46 Faith is not natural; it is supernatural. People are not born with a propensity to trust an unknown and invisible God. It is only through the word of God that people can hope to receive faith in God. Faith comes as a result of hearing the word of God. Even then there is not always an ever-present sense of trust in God during times of distress. Experiencing faith in one’s life during trying times teaches us to be patient and wait for the promises of God to be manifest in our lives. What should we do while we wait for the manifestation of the promises to justify our faith? When true faith is present, we rest in the assurance that God has it all under control. True faith is its own evidence that the invisible will be made visible. We all need something of substance to hang on to in times of need or trouble. True faith has substance of its own. Our belief in the word of God gives us an assurance that we stand on when there is nothing else to rely on. Faith works best when there is no “Plan B”. If we have clear alternatives, then there is no need for faith. We hope for that which we do not see or sometimes even understand. As we examine the “Heroes of Faith” that are listed in the background scripture of our lesson, we note that one after the other they were presented with seemingly impossible situations. The more farfetched the situation, the greater the presence of their faith showed itself. How do you willingly submit to fiery furnaces and lion dens when you understand that no one before you has ever survived such an ordeal? It’s much easier to see ourselves surviving these situations when we have others as role models that have survived them already. Our faith is manifest when we find ourselves in our own unique quandary. My assurance will come when I surrender to the notion that God loves me too much to not have my best interest at heart. My faith gives full assurance when God’s love for me coexists with a situation that will cause God to be praised and honored. I don’t need faith so that I can get material things or be made happy. I need faith that I might please God and become an instrument that allows God to receive the glory. As we reflect again on the “Heroes of Faith”, in all those situations God received the glory. Some of the individuals received some benefits as a result of what they went through but not all of them. Some died without receiving any earthly gain for their troubles. But in all of these situations, God received the glory. The assurance that our faith gives helps us to understand that God will always reward us for our faith in Him. The best rewards are beyond this life. The God-given goodness of this life is but a foretaste of what God has for us in eternity. Eternity itself is a gift greater than any temporary pleasure we may receive in this life. The poet reminds us that the assurance God gives us because of our faith is truly a blessing to be counted. “This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long” Robert C. Hudson August 29, 2012