Greetings to all the brothers of the church of Steem infinite blessings for all. Today I want to talk to you about FAITH.
Faith is like a key. It has one for each lock and God has given us all the keys we need for the doors he has placed in front of us. You just have to use the correct key that the doors will open.
This chapter of the book of Romans gives a series of guidelines on relationships, on the moment of knowing if something is right or wrong and also of the sacrifice to idols that was forbidden "for the kingdom of God is not food or drink, but justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit "(v. 17).
17 For the kingdom of God is not food or drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
18 For he who serves Christ in this pleases God and is approved by men.
19 So, let's follow what contributes to peace and mutual edification.
20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things are truly clean; but it is bad for a man to trip others with what he eats.
21 It is good not to eat meat, or drink wine, or anything in which your brother stumbles, or is offended, or weakened.
22 Do you have faith? Have it with you before God. Blessed is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
23 But he who doubts what he eats is condemned, because he does not do it with faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
All of us, however religious we may be, are dreamers and plan for many things. But we are not always sure if what we want is from the will of God, nor will it be good or not.
Let's illustrate it so take a cup with the saucer and ask about the utility of each and how to use. People who use things without first reading the manual, always go wrong. People who need a remedy and do not use it. People who keep things and do not use it.
How can I use faith?
That is why we are going to talk about using faith for our personal decisions:
FAITH is personal
"The faith that he has, he has himself before God" v.22a
It is not circumstantial depending on the situation or relational depending on another person. Although faith is personal, its result is always social. There are always consequences of blessings for other people.
The Bible says that FAITH is like a shield that protects only one person and must go before us. If it is placed behind, it will not work because it will be used incorrectly.
Faith is not an opinion and does not come from men, so it does not need to worry about human opinions, or to adhere to systems of this world, because it is to please the Lord and says Hebrews 11.6: "Without faith it is impossible to please goodbye"
Believing is not something that is in human nature, but in the divine nature. To have faith we must ask the Lord to give us a permanent and strong certainty like Him and not according to the circumstances of this world, but according to the will of God.
FAITH is a bond of intimacy between us and the will of God!
If we want to know God we must believe in Him and have an FAITH from the bottom of our heart before our God.
The FAITH searches for what is right
"Blessed is he who does not condemn himself for what he approves" v.22b
In this world dominated by sin many times we are led to approve and accept things that lead to condemnation.
"Do not call conjuration to everything that this people calls a conspiracy, nor fear what they fear, nor do you consider it feared." Isaiah 8.12
God wants to take us to such a deep faith in him to the point that our concepts and choices are according to God's plan for our lives and not according to the fashion of this world.
By approving things according to the Word of God, we will surely be happy and not condemned.
The word of God is the source of FAITH. There are many types of faith in several different things, but the true Faith "is by hearing, and hearing the Word of God" Romans 10:17.
It does not matter if the world condemns us, it is better to be approved by God, which is just than by the world that is unjust.
The Word of God says that "if our heart reproves us, God is greater than our conscience" I John 3:20.
Many times our heart puts us in doubt, fear and questioning, but the certainty comes from a God who is much greater than that and frees us from all accusation, giving us peace of mind.
The FAITH has no doubt:
"But he who has doubts is condemned (to eat), since it does not come from faith ..." v.22a
We can not make decisions in doubt because we will certainly be wrong, but God is the right way, He knows what will be in the future clearly and objectively, so before planning and deciding we must ask God.
The Word of God says that "there are forms that seem right to man, but their end is the death of roads" Proverbs 14:12. Faith is not like that. Many times we do not understand why the way God is leading us, but we are sure that in the end everything will be fine and reach eternal life, because "the ways of the Lord are higher than our ways and their highest thoughts. that our thoughts "Isaiah 55.8. On the other hand, we know that "by faith we walk, not by sight" II Corinthians 5.7.
When we see nothing, God sees everything and helps us from above. So it is better to make sure we do not see what we put our faith in visible and tangible things that we do not know how it will end, because "Blessed are those who have not seen, and believed" John 20:29.
FAITH overcomes sin:
"And everything that does not come from faith is sin" v.23b
Faith is of God and everything that is not of faith is not of God. God is FAITH are inseparable. If we have FAITH we are with God and without Him there is no FAITH.
The Word of God says that "this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith" I John 5.4.
We can not take a step without faith, because we would be acting without the company of God and God does not dwell in uncertainty. Where FAITH is not, sin reigns.
If we do not want to err in life or have our plans frustrated, the only way out is to act for FAITH!
Make decisions that come from FAITH!
Before doing anything, pray and ask God for the FAITH to fight. Seek before the will of God. Pray until you have the conviction that the Lord will do wonders in your life.
Then, when you feel that certainty, go ahead that the Lord will be with you.