Established in faith
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
There was a time when I was without God, without Jesus, without the Holy Spirit and without hope. I was cut off from God, separated from Him because of my sins, with no goal in life and sinking more and more into the mire. But God has a different plan for me. He is aware of me, and my very thoughts are known to Him. Through His unmerited grace, He brought me to Jesus, the Light of the world, while I was groping in darkness. His words became ‘a lamp to my feet and a light to my path’ (Psalm 119:105), and drew me to the Scriptures daily. I came to know God, the Father; Jesus Christ my elder brother and friend; and the Holy Spirit, my helper and teacher, and my faith grew.
In 1 Corinthians 8:5 Paul points out there are many so-called gods and goddesses in this world. In my culture, the Hindu religion I grew up with has many gods and goddesses. But I can now say that I know there is only one true God: the Father, our Saviour Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
I thank God for everything he has revealed to me. As he has revealed, so my faith has grown, but I must confess, my faith is not even as big as a mustard seed – it is very small. But Jesus said to the disciples, “…if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there,’ and it will move…” (Matthew 17:20). That indeed is great faith. However, even if I have the faith to move mountains, I am warned that without love I am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). Love is the greatest, for God is love, and it is through his love that he has drawn me to himself, and also revealed my future. I am fully assured of my destiny to be with the Lord because of the Scriptures that are embedded in my memory (Job 19:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 21:1-4).
By the faith God has given me, I believe that these Scriptures cannot be broken, and that God is faithful to perform everything that He has promised. May the Lord increase our faith and establish us firmly in it, as we submit our lives to him and hear and study the word of God daily.
Prayer
Abba Father, I thank You for revealing to us who You are and for granting us faith to believe in Your faithfulness. May your faith increase more and more in us. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Study by Natu Moti
About the writer:
Natu Moti is a Deacon in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Gracecom Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
Birmingham B23 7QB
Meeting time:
Saturday 1pm
Local congregational contact:
David Gibbs
Email: birmingham@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church