Faith is a journey. . . .

 

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— (Galatians 3:13)

Christ alone is our Redeemer. Christ bore our sins. Christ endured the wrath of God, Christ satisfied the claims of justice against us, as our Substitute. The work of redemption was fully accomplished. ‘Christ has redeemed us.’ Nothing is left to be done by us. Christ has done all. The blood of Christ poured out in death for the atonement of sin accomplished an effectual redemption. ‘Christ has redeemed us.’

Sin has been dealt with. The only sin that keeps anyone from redemption is unbelief in what Christ has done. Lack of faith is our nemesis. Faith is our salvation — yet faith has stages. 

First, the Bible says that the existence of God is made plain in creation and that faith begins with believing this simple truth:

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

If a person dismisses all the evidence of God’s existence and thinks He is not a good God, what more can the Holy Spirit reveal to that closed mind?

Faith also includes believing what God says. If not, we make Him a liar — even though Jesus clearly identified Satan as the liar and father of lies. And what does God say that must be believed? Some focus on creation or other truths, but the main thing that halts any hope of moving on in a spiritual journey is refusing to believe this:

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:22b–23)

A man said to me that he had no trouble believing that Jesus died for the sins of the world and argued that was good enough. I said, “But what about your sin?” Long pause. “Oh, I see what you mean.” He realized that his ‘faith’ was general, not personal. Even the demons believe God exists, but saving faith goes beyond that. Biblical ideas might be in place, but faith that cannot admit sin is not saving faith. John wrote:

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. . . . If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:7–10)

What is missing in that kind of faith is a failure to believe and apply verse 9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

What more can God say to a person who rejects what He says about our sinful condition. If it sounds anything like “I don’t need that” or firmly insists they are okay without a Savior, the journey to God stops. God can barge in and open blind eyes, however He is a God of grace and even tells His people to “correct his opponents with gentleness.” God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, yet it is vital to believe the truth we already know. (2 Timothy 2:25)

God’s kindness “is meant to lead us to repentance” (Romans 2:4) so He “is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Without it, the wonder of redemption eludes those who fail to believe what God reveals.

The OT laws and rituals pointed to the realities to come. The blood of animals offered for sin had no power to take away sin, but faith in God's promise of a Deliverer was vital. This faith kept His people until their Messiah came to fully redeem those who trust Him. Jesus came to do the will of God and by that will, those who believe are set apart, redeemed, being transformed. By His single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:1–14), an amazing gift that is given to those who believe God exists, that He rewards all who seek Him, that know they are sinful and have no merit to earn this blessing, and therefore trust in Jesus Christ alone for redemption.

PRAY: What can I say? Only Jesus. You have brought me to faith, led me through all the barricades and shown me truth that helped me understand the wonder of who You are and the blessing of Your amazing grace. I bow in adoration and in joy.

Describing the hunger . . .

 

Last night we attended an Ordination Council. One of our pastors, at the request of our church, submitted an “Ordination Paper” and delegates in leadership in other churches gathered to ask him questions about it. Besides the delight at hearing this young man’s truthful and humble responses, I was reminded again how important it is to be preoccupied with Jesus. This young man sees God at work and shares what he sees. Also, as a seminary professor said, “speaking what we believe cements it in our lives.”

Writing what I believe is also helpful. I’ve always journaled devotional thoughts, but when God asked me to put them online, I had no idea of how He would use it to satisfy my hunger for righteousness.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).

MacArthur says righteousness means “to be right with God” and that involves a passionate, ongoing and ever-maturing relationship with Him. It starts with salvation and continues in a very real sanctification where self-righteousness is abandoned and the desire to be like Jesus increases. This culminates when I see Him face to face, yet there is great satisfaction in continually seeking Him now and in daily life.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12–14)

This hunger is recognizable. Today’s devotional lists several ways to know if it is happening in my life, or I’ve slipped back into being self-satisfied and content with the status quo. The first one is easy . . .

Hunger for righteousness is marked by an awareness of sin, and dissatisfaction and grief when I fall short. It means learning not to make excuses or light of it, but to seek forgiveness and cleansing. (1 John 1:7-10)

Second, this hunger is not satisfied by external things. I don’t feel right by ego-boosters, flattery, or being praised for much of anything. I want to know that Jesus is glorified. Sinful self wants glory for me.

Third, hunger for the Living Word involves hunger for the written Word. The NT says: “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Peter 2:2) and speaks figuratively of feeding on Christ. Only Jesus can satisfy that hunger for righteousness.

Fourth, because trials are a means by which God teaches us patience and other virtues, then I will see them that way, not as desirable as a banquet, yet powerful to move me into being more like Jesus. As the devotional says, anger or resentment, even panic and fear when trouble comes all reveal that I’d rather be comfortable than righteous.

This leads to another test, if I am hungry and thirsty for Christ, nothing stands in the way. I’m not to be like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19 who sensed the void in his life but keeping his possessions was more important than filling the void. Things like a desire to be popular, well-off, comfortable, any ‘do my own thing’ activity or insistence on my way, can interfere with seeking Him and His righteousness. Instead, I need to trust Him for what is necessary and to remove what He decides I do not need.

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live . . . .” (Isaiah 55:1–3)

All these describe a totally yielded life. Part of the Christian journey is the discovery of things not yet yielded to Him and finding out that even though Christ will fully satisfy every longing of my heart, this hunger means a constant desire for more of His righteousness. “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (Psalm 107:9)

Jesus, You said to the woman at the well and You say it to me; “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13–14) This proves true in my life. How amazing that You satisfy all the longings of the human heart. For that, I am grateful, and so glad that Your satisfaction does not mean that I will ever stop wanting to seek You.

MORE: Read Psalm 112 as a hymn of praise to God.