Faith is at the Core of Our Christian Walk

Clearly, spiritual things can only be perceived by our re-created spirit (through faith). Our physical senses can't discern spiritual things. Therefore, faith is at the core of our Christian walk. Throughout Jesus' ministry on earth before and after His resurrection, His emphasis was always on faith, and not on sight. Even the nature of His birth takes faith to accept: He was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and born of a virgin, and a lowly virgin at that. Although Jesus was the “Mighty God” (see Isaiah 9:6) who had come into the world incognito, He chose not to arrive on earth in some grandiose style. The world He Himself had created even made no room for Him when He arrived in Bethlehem; all the inns were full, so that He was born in a manger. The Lord of the whole universe was born in a manger. Then His birth was announced not to the kings of the world, but to lowly shepherds. When He came of age and started His Ministry on earth, Jesus was referred to as the "carpenter's son" by those who sought to deride Him by his humble background. Thus, when one considered the physical background and circumstances of Jesus, it took faith to recognize that He was God. Those who were looking to accept Him by sight were obviously disappointed. And it was in such manner that Jesus conducted His entire earthly ministry.

Let's consider a few instances where Jesus emphasized Faith as superior to Sight. John the Baptist had introduced Jesus twice as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (see John 1:29; John 1:36). Yet, when John was imprisoned, he started to harbor doubts about Jesus as the Messiah. So John sent messengers to Jesus to ask Him if He was indeed the Messiah that was to come. (see Matthew 11:1-3). Jesus could have satisfied John's quest for a confirmation by just saying “Yes” to his question. But that was not Jesus' style. He sent back the messengers to John with a message pointing John to the prophecies in the Scriptures about the works of the Messiah (as recorded in Isaiah 35:5-6) and the fulfillment of those prophecies in Him. “Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” (Matthew 11:4-6 KJV).

Again, when Jesus rose from the dead, He never showed Himself to a single person who wasn’t already one of His disciples. We would think it would've been great for Him to have walked the streets of Jerusalem and into Pilate's palace so that the multitudes that had witnessed His crucifixion would see Him in His resurrected body and believe that He was indeed the Christ. But that’s not the nature of our God. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Even when Jesus appeared to His disciples on the road to Emmaus (on the day of His resurrection), He prevented them from seeing Him as the risen Christ. Instead, He opened their eyes to Scriptures that pointed to His death and resurrection. (See Luke 24:15-16; Mark 16:12). And upon hearing those Scriptural teachings about Christ, their hearts burned within them. (see Luke 24:32). “Is not My Word like a fire?” says the Lord.” (see Jeremiah 23:29). No wonder the Bible says that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ. (see Romans 10:17). Jesus would later appear to all His disciples and declare to Thomas (who had previously doubted the other disciples' account of an earlier visitation by the resurrected Christ) that "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (see John 20:29). Indeed, in the eyes of God, faith is truly superior to sight.

My dear reader, the Christian walk is a walk of faith. Every benefit of the finished work of Jesus is received by faith, because it is only by faith that we access grace (the undeserved, unmerited favor of God). And without faith it is impossible to please God. (see Hebrews 11:6). Thus, Romans 5:2 says, “We have access BY FAITH into this GRACE in which we stand.” Hence, we're saved by grace through FAITH in Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 2:8-9). We're made righteous by FAITH in Jesus Christ (see Romans 1:16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:17; Romans 3:22). We're healed by FAITH in Jesus Christ. (see Mark 10:52; Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). We inherit the blessings of Abraham by FAITH in Jesus Christ. (see Galatians 3:14-15; Romans 4:13-16). We move the mountains (of our problems) by FAITH in Jesus Christ. (see Matthew 17:20). We overcome the devil by FAITH in the blood of Jesus. (see Revelation 12:11). We fight the good fight of Faith (see 1 Timothy 6:12). Paul admonishes us in Colossians 2:6-7, "AS you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, SO WALK IN Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in THE FAITH, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." Since we received Christ by GRACE through FAITH, and not by the law or through the works of the law, Paul is basically saying we should walk the Christian walk in the same way we got saved and received the Spirit of God —  that is, by GRACE through FAITH (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Hence, Paul was angry with the Church in Galatia when they started moving away from Faith to the works of the Law. And he said to them, “This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the WORKS OF THE LAW, or by the hearing of FAITH? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:2-3). Like the Church of Galatia, there are many believers today who just can’t bring themselves to accept the truth that righteousness is a gift that must be accepted by faith in Christ Jesus. (see 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:20-22; Romans 5:17; 1 Corinthians 1:30). Many believers insist on being under the Law and working for their own righteousness rather than accepting (by faith) that they are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Unfortunately, it appears that faith is more difficult for many people than works of the law. But Paul said, “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” (Galatians 2:21). Beloved, we cannot walk the Christian walk by the flesh (or self efforts at keeping the Law of Moses); we are to walk by faith in Jesus our Savior. We are to grow in our dependence on Him — from faith to faith. We're also not to respond to our natural circumstances and situations with human effort, but with faith in the finished work of Christ. God is pleased when we live our lives by faith in Him, in spite of the circumstances in which we may find ourselves. It is only by believing everything the Bible says about who we are in Christ that our lifestyle or conduct will reflect that reality. If we believe right, we will certainly live right. Faith is how we walk in the Spirit. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). “The just shall live by faith.” (see Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:38; Habakkuk 2:4). May you live and walk by faith. Remain blessed.

I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 KJV).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"

Get to Know Jesus and the Power of His Resurrection

Today, we (believers) are citizens of Heaven (see Philippians 3:20) because of the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “who was delivered up for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:25 KJV). We (believers) are righteous because of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that all of humanity will strive to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection. Knowing Jesus and the power of His resurrection was the apostle Paul’s life goal also. In his epistle to the Philippians, he wrote: “Finally, my brethren, REJOICE IN THE LORD. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of DOGS, beware of EVIL WORKERS, beware of THE MUTILATION! For WE ARE THE CIRCUMCISION, who WORSHIP GOD IN THE SPIRIT, REJOICE IN CHRIST JESUS, and HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I MORE SO: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS IN THE LAW, blameless. But what things were GAIN to me, these I have counted LOSS for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss FOR THE EXCELLENCE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and COUNT THEM AS RUBBISH, that I MAY GAIN CHRIST and be found in Him, NOT HAVING MY OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, which is from the law, BUT THAT WHICH IS THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST, the righteousness which is from God by faith; THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:1-11 NKJV, emphasis mine).

Beloved, the moment you confessed with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord, and believed in your heart that God has raised Him from dead, YOU WERE SAVED. (see Romans 10:9). But that is not all; when you believed in your heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead, the Bible says you were not believing for nothing; you were believing unto RIGHTEOUSNESS. (see Romans 10:10). In other words, you were believing to become righteous. And so you did become righteous the moment you believed in your heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. At that very moment you ceased being a sinner — your old (sinful) self died with Christ (see Romans 6:6) and you were born again or created according to God in true holiness and RIGHTEOUSNESS (see Ephesians 4:24). At that very moment you became a new creation (see 2 Corinthians 5:17); you became God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that you should walk in them. (see Ephesians 2:10). Thus, RIGHTEOUSNESS is a GIFT (see Romans 5:17). And believing that God has raised Jesus from the dead makes available to the believer the gift of righteousness. This also conforms with the apostle Paul's declaration that Jesus "was delivered over to death for our sins and WAS RAISED TO LIFE FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION (or our righteousness)." (Romans 4:25 NIV, brackets and emphasis mine). Isn't this just awesome? All believers need to unite in thanking our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the gift of righteousness. Indeed, what He has done for us is beyond human comprehension. And He did it all out of love. Today, we (believers) are citizens of Heaven (see Philippians 3:20) because of the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, “who was delivered up for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:25 KJV). We (believers) are righteous because of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must all learn, like the apostle Paul, to appreciate the righteousness which is through faith in Christ.

It is truly amazing when one comes to clearly understand the point Paul is making in Philippians 3:1-11, which is quoted above. Paul exhorts us (believers) that we should rejoice in the Lord (Jesus Christ), and beware (or stay clear) of those who seek to put us back in bondage to the Law to strive to attain the righteousness which is in the Law. (see also Galatians 2:4; Romans 7:6; Galatians 4:21-26; Galatians 5:13-18). Paul refers to such people (who seek to put us back in bondage to the Law) as “dogs,” “evil workers,” “the mutilation,” and later in verse 18, “enemies of the cross of Christ.” Paul evidently detests the attitude of such people and describes them as “evil workers” primarily because of their pride and insistence on their ability (and faithfulness) to perform the works of the Law and earn their own righteousness, which by God's standard, is just impossible (see Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:11; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 2:21). And thus, in that sense, these people have become evil workers, because in reality they do not keep the Law (see Acts 7:53; Romans 9:31; Jeremiah 11:10; Hosea 6:7), and are even sinning more, since the Law is the strength of sin. (see 1 Corinthians 15:56). Moreover, these “dogs” and “enemies of the cross” fail to realize that the presumption that one can keep the law to gain merit with God is itself inimical to the gospel; it is diametrically opposed (in the strongest way) to the will and purpose of God in giving the Law, and in sending Jesus Christ to redeem mankind from the curse of the Law. (see Galatians 2:24; Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:10-13). It is my prayer that all of humanity will strive to know Jesus and the power of His resurrection.

Knowing Jesus and the power of His resurrection was the apostle Paul’s life goal also. In his epistle to the Philippians, which we quoted above, he wrote: ”That I may know Him and THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION..." (see Philippians 3:10). There is power in the resurrection of Jesus Christ indeed, and everyone should have the same hunger or burning desire (as Paul) to know Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection, and to participate in His sufferings so that we can share in His glory. The power of Jesus’ resurrection is such that no one can be saved without believing (in their heart) the resurrection of Jesus. The Bible says, as we noted earlier, that in order for anyone to be saved, not only must he confess with his mouth the Lord Jesus, but he must also believe in his heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. (see Romans 10:9). It is the power of Jesus’ resurrection that gave birth to me and to you, and to all who are in Christ, whom the Bible calls the new creation (see 1 Peter 1:3;  Acts 13:33; with 2 Corinthians 5:17). As a believer, the resurrection of Jesus Christ not only gave birth to you, but also gave you “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (I Peter 1:4-5 NKJV). The power of His resurrection has also made the believer righteous (through faith) by birth (see Ephesians 4:24). It has made the believer a partaker of the divine (or God) nature, and thus one with God. (see 2 Peter 1:4; 1 Corinthians 6:17; Romans 8:9; Romans 8:16; John 3:6). Jesus Himself was born or begotten of God by the power of His resurrection. (see Acts 13:33). And so today, the Bible calls Jesus the firstborn Son among many brethren. (see Romans 8:29). Jesus is also the Firstborn from the dead (see Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5), and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (see 1 Corinthians 15:20). Now, the firstborn or the first begotten from the dead and the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep is talking about the fact that Jesus is the first to come out (or be raised bodily) from the composite death (i.e. both physical and spiritual death) with a glorious body. Jesus was the first Man (dead both spiritually and physically) to be raised to life both spiritually and physically (or bodily), and to receive the glorious body. Jesus was the first Man to be born through the resurrection in that sense, the first Man to be raised from the dead with a spiritual and glorious body. We have all been raised from spiritual death with Jesus, but we are yet to be raised from physical death and to receive our spiritual and glorious body. If we should all die (physically) before the Lord returns, we will also be raised (at the resurrection) with that same spiritual and glorious body Jesus now has. If we don't die before Jesus returns, however, our bodies will be transformed into that glorious spiritual body upon Jesus' return, and we will be caught up together in the clouds with the dead in Christ (who will rise first) to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (see 1 Corinthians 15:50-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Indeed Jesus is the Firstborn Son among many brethren. And we are the many brethren. Both the firstborn Son and the many brethren are born of the same Father (God) by the resurrection (see Acts 13:33; with 1 Peter 1:3). And both the firstborn Son and the many brethren are the same in divine life and nature. (see 2 Peter 1:4, with 1 John 5:11-12). Hence, Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers. (see Hebrews 2:11). Hallelujah!

In fact, prior to His resurrection, the most intimate term Jesus used for His disciples was “friends” (see John 15:14-15). But after His resurrection, He began to call them “brothers” (see John 20:17), because through His resurrection, His disciples (since they believed in Him) had been regenerated or begotten of God (see 1 Peter 1:3). Therefore, the fact that the Lord is not ashamed to call us brothers indicates that we are one with Him in life and share His divine nature indeed. We are truly the sons of God, and we have the full rights of sons. And now because we are God’s sons, God has given us the Spirit of His Son. (see Galatians 4:4-7). So today we have the power or the legal right to make the claim that we are sons of God. We have the same rights (as sons) that Jesus has. The Bible says Jesus Christ is the heir of ALL THINGS. (see Hebrews 1:2). And the Bible also says that all believers are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (see Romans 8:17). This means that collectively, believers are heirs of ALL THINGS together with Christ. No wonder Paul told the Corinthian Church that “let no one boast in men. For ALL THINGS ARE YOURS: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or THE WORLD or life or death, or things present or things to come—ALL ARE YOURS." (see I Corinthians 3:21-22). Indeed, all things are ours — things present (Heaven and earth), and things to come (the new earth and the new Heaven) are ours — because we are joint-heirs with Christ. All things are yours, beloved. And all things are mine. This is great news. And it has all been made possible by the power of Jesus’ resurrection.

Thus, we always have to remember that we are the sons of God and joint-heirs with Christ only because we are IN Christ. In all things Christ has the preeminence, because He is the Head of the Body. (see Colossians 1:18). We are the Body of Christ. We have to abide in Him and let His Word abide in us in order to experience the fullness of our inheritance and power as sons. God has given all authority in Heaven and on earth to His Son Jesus Christ. And Jesus shares that authority with those of us who believe in Him and thus are His brothers and joint-heirs with Him. (see Matthew 28:18-20). He says, in His name we will cast out demons; we will speak with new tongues; we will take up serpents; and if we drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt us; we will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. (see Mark 16:17-18). For us to be able to experience all of these, we have to abide in Him and allow His Word to abide in us. This is why Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV). The apostle Paul was walking in the consciousness of this truth when he declared that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).

Beloved, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Let us, therefore, get to know Christ more deeply and intimately through His Word. Let us get to know the power of His resurrection, because the resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the gospel of Christ. The book of Acts shows how the disciples were witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, and how they preached it powerfully to the world. “And with great power the apostles GAVE WITNESS TO THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS. And great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33 NKJV; see also 1:21-22; 2:29-32; 4:1-2). Peter witnessed about the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the very first sermon he preached on the Day of Pentecost. (see Acts 2:22-32). He quoted David (in the Psalms) to prove that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was prophesied in the Old Testament, and that it was not possible that death could hold Jesus. (see Acts 2:30-31). Then in 1 Peter 1:3 he says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope THROUGH the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This speaks mightily of the power of Jesus’ resurrection. We were begotten through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is the central message of the church, a message no true church of Christ can deny. Hence, the resurrection of Jesus Christ was also at the core of the apostle Paul’s teachings. For example, in Athens, Paul spoke forcefully to the philosophers about the resurrection of Christ. “Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, ‘What does this babbler want to say?’ Others said, ‘He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,’ because HE PREACHED TO THEM JESUS AND THE RESURRECTION.” (Acts 17:18 NKJV). Paul then told them, “‘Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all BY RAISING HIM FROM THE DEAD.’ And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter’” (see verses 30-32).

In his letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul again preached about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He said, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NKJV). Then Paul adds, “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” (I Corinthians 15:12-22 NKJV).

In the Book of Revelation, John also bears witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ whom he calls “the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn from the dead, and the Ruler over all the kings of the earth.” (see Revelation 1:5 NKJV). Jesus Himself — the Faithful Witness — also bears witness of His own resurrection. He says, “I am HE WHO LIVES, AND WAS DEAD, AND BEHOLD, I AM ALIVE FOREVERMORE. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Revelation 1:18 NKJV).

Beloved, just like Peter says, the resurrection of Jesus Christ has indeed given a living hope to mankind; and we have to proclaim to the world the same message Paul preached, that indeed Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead for our justification. (see Romans 4:25). Let us proclaim this message everywhere. Let us encourage all men to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and to receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness to reign in life. (see Romans 5:17). Amen. Remain blessed.

I share this message, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16).

To learn more, order my glorious book, "Spirit Life"