Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.
Ah mih people, it’s Friday, and the ole fella is feeling fairly wide eyed and bushy tailed because he got a half decent night’s rest. But that means I’m up somewhat late in the morning, and though it’s nice to get up early, it’s always better to get up when the sun is shining rather than when darkness still covers the land. (smile)
And for you early risers, when darkness still permeates the land, I just want to reassure you that though you may not see the sun, the Son is ALWAYS present by your side, with the Holy Spirit assisting you to make good decisions and showing you the right paths to tread.
And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful ‘Glory Hallelujah! All thanks and praise to the Lamb that was slain for us!’
And since most of you have been up before me, most likely you have already expressed your worldly Friday declaration of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, meaning that the weekend is here and the party is getting underway! Thank God for small mercies like Friday and the weekend!’
Now I would like to change that somewhat and give us a better perspective on the whole situation. So let’s chant our Friday Chant nuh, with much conviction and enthusiasm.
All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Now that’s more like what we should be saying my people, because the weekend isn’t just for fun and frolic, but also for some serious time with oneself and with one’s Creator.
And we’ll continue with our Bit, those famous words of the author of Hebrews, whom I still can’t help believing is Bruh Paul, because it sounds so much like him. ‘Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’
Positive words of wisdom my people! And we all agree that if we can see something, then there’s no need to hope for it. But if we can’t, then there’s every reason to hope for it and wait patiently and eagerly until it shows up.
And as true believers in Jesus Christ, that’s the kind of faith we need to have Friends; a constant hope that He will come through for us. For you know we can’t have faith without hope. Hope is the starting point of it all, and as it grows, it turns into that strong feeling of assurance, of conviction, that we call faith.
Now here are some potent insights into the subject as related by Bruh Paul to his protégé Timothy. It concerns fighting the good fight of faith.
‘But thou, O man of God, flee these things (love for money, etc. vs.1-10): and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, LOVE, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast professed (confessed) a good profession (confession) before many witnesses.’ (1 Tim.6:11-12)
Yes Friends, since we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, then it behooves us to turn away from the lustful and ungodly things of the world and follow the dictates of His Way, which are the things spoken of by Bruh Paul above.
And the scholars offer these insightful explanations. ‘6:11. Flee these things means shun a love for money (v.10) and the striving for material wealth (v.9) with all its resulting woes. Follow after means pursue. Righteousness is practical correctness, conforming to God’s will in one’s thinking and acting.
Godliness is proper reverence for, and obedience to God. Faith is a trust in God that grows stronger. LOVE is a maturing affection for God and man. Patience is perseverance or steadfastness in life and service. Meekness is gentleness.
Now as per ‘6:12. The good fight concerns the daily struggle with sin in the Christian life, and the hardships and adversities in the ministry. A genuine believer demonstrates the reality of his faith by being engaged in this warfare.
Lay hold on eternal life does not negate that fact that a believer now possesses spiritual life (John 3:36); rather, it speaks of fully realizing or appropriating salvation as the believer matures.’
Yes my brethren, it’s all a growing process! So we can begin with small or little faith, but as we progress in our Christian endeavours, our faith ought to grow along the continuum that represents it, until we come to a point of maturity.
However, we never reach that stage here on earth where our faith reaches the end of the continuum and stops growing, because faith is an action word that‘s supposed to be always on the go, keeping us fresh and renewed in the Christian spirit. If our faith ever stops growing, then something’s wrong, and we need to get it checked out by the appropriate authorities; i.e. God!
So until tomorrow Friends, the Lord willing, please let’s try and walk the straight and narrow path today nuh. ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised. And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto LOVE and to good works.’ (Heb.10:23-24) That is exactly what we are called to do my brethren!. Much LOVE!
…but without faith…it is impossible to please him…for he that cometh to God…must believe that he is…and that he is a rewarder…of them that diligently seek him… (Heb.11:6)
P.S. Sorry Friends, but in between the writing, I had to take an important phone call which lasted for about 20 minutes. So you can subtract twenty minutes from the lateness, because that was not my fault. (smile) Much LOVE!
SCRIP-BITS 