Hast thou Hast thou Faith?
Romans 14:22 “Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which He alloweth.”
When we begin to walk by faith and not by sight; we begin to deal with those things that we “condemn” ourselves with.
Faith is the active ingredient of our Spiritual lives. It comes to us by the Holy Spirit, when we are born again; but it (usually) takes us a while to use it.
Faith tells us to trust and stand; and our eyes tell us that what were about to do is impossible.
Faith tells us to “Get out of here, now.” And our eyes do not “see” anything wrong.
Faith nudges us to speak to someone about Jesus; we wait…but then the subject is changed, the opportunity is gone.
We learn (it is called “growing” in scripture: 2 Peter 3:18) to use the faith given in the situations of our lives; and when we do, we come into Christian Liberty.
Our Christian Liberty should make us free to be what we ought: to be what God’s wants us to be.
1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought into the power of any.”
1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
Twice in the same book, Paul warns these Christians to be careful not to let what “other people” do, or social norms, to be their rule of life.
Rather, they should be fully committed to God’s Will and Way; no matter what anyone else does.
Paul gives his testimony: “I will not be brought into the power of anything; even though it might be lawful (or nothing that would seem to be wrong).”
It is “I will”, for we must will with God’s Will.
For the Christian there are certain things we know are wrong: stealing, lying, adultery, to name a few.
But for each Christians there are “convictions” of the Holy Spirit (for them) that say, “This is not for you.”
(My wife, years ago, gave up make up. It was before we were even married. Not because she felt the make up was sinful; but rather for her, it was wrong to wear it.This is a conviction of the Holy Spirit to her.)
True Spiritual Life is following the Lord Jesus wherever He leads in my life.
True liberty is freedom from the power of sin in my life.
Faith is the “sight” that makes both of these possible.
“Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God.”
Simply, use the faith the Holy Spirit has given you, and follow the Lord Jesus into the happiness He has for you.
Don’t “allow” anything that He does not want; and happiness will be your heart’s companion.
Romans 14:22 “Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which He alloweth.”
When we begin to walk by faith and not by sight; we begin to deal with those things that we “condemn” ourselves with.
Faith is the active ingredient of our Spiritual lives. It comes to us by the Holy Spirit, when we are born again; but it (usually) takes us a while to use it.
Faith tells us to trust and stand; and our eyes tell us that what were about to do is impossible.
Faith tells us to “Get out of here, now.” And our eyes do not “see” anything wrong.
Faith nudges us to speak to someone about Jesus; we wait…but then the subject is changed, the opportunity is gone.
We learn (it is called “growing” in scripture: 2 Peter 3:18) to use the faith given in the situations of our lives; and when we do, we come into Christian Liberty.
Our Christian Liberty should make us free to be what we ought: to be what God’s wants us to be.
1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought into the power of any.”
1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
Twice in the same book, Paul warns these Christians to be careful not to let what “other people” do, or social norms, to be their rule of life.
Rather, they should be fully committed to God’s Will and Way; no matter what anyone else does.
Paul gives his testimony: “I will not be brought into the power of anything; even though it might be lawful (or nothing that would seem to be wrong).”
It is “I will”, for we must will with God’s Will.
For the Christian there are certain things we know are wrong: stealing, lying, adultery, to name a few.
But for each Christians there are “convictions” of the Holy Spirit (for them) that say, “This is not for you.”
(My wife, years ago, gave up make up. It was before we were even married. Not because she felt the make up was sinful; but rather for her, it was wrong to wear it.
This is a conviction of the Holy Spirit to her.)
True Spiritual Life is following the Lord Jesus wherever He leads in my life.
True liberty is freedom from the power of sin in my life.
Faith is the “sight” that makes both of these possible.
“Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God.”
Simply, use the faith the Holy Spirit has given you, and follow the Lord Jesus into the happiness He has for you.
Don’t “allow” anything that He does not want; and happiness will be your heart’s companion.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 