Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.
Have you ever noticed how we can see the evidence of God’s existence all around us? We can see it in the Moon that rises in the evening, and the sun that sets each night. We can see it in the food that grows miraculously from the ground. We can see it in the first gasp of breath from the mouth of a newborn child. Evidence is that which proves or disproves something is true or factual. For example, snowshoe tracks through the woods.are evidence that somebody has been there. Tire tracks in the mud are evidence that somebody drove down the back road. Remnants of cereal and milk left on the dining room table are evidence that somebody just ate breakfast!
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
Those who become a born again Christian will have evidence of their faith in their daily lives. They will have a deep commitment and personal relationship with God, resulting in loving works of humble submission to His will. Like a trail of breadcrumbs that are left behind by a child, the true children of God will leave behind the evidence of their faith.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Although somebody might have gone to college to become a carpenter, the proof that they truly are one is seen in the homes and the furniture that they have built. What we are, is proved by what we do. It’s more than what we say or claim to be, it is having the outward evidence through one’s actions that truly proves who and what you really are in your heart.
John 14:11-12 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
The Lord Jesus explains that those who truly have faith in Him, will do the same works that He did. He uses the words “believe” and “works” in the same sentence. This is why one of His own Apostles explained to the church that faith without works was dead.
James 2:18-26 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
So in these passages we have a clear understanding that it is our works that are the proof of an inward faith, which also includes bringing forth works of repentance.
Luke 19:8-10 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Once again, faith is manifested through our works of repentance, which is the same message that the Apostle Paul preached and lived in his own life
Acts 26:19-20 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Some people can be very religious on the exterior, something that the Lord Jesus warned about. There are many people who might do very religious works, but they are done for the sole purpose of receiving glory from men, rather than being driven by a sincere love for God. Genuine faith will be filled with a powerful love for the Lord, which will ultimately result in turning away from sinful living.
2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
There is a great difference between outward appearances of faith, versus inward faithful living. One is only meant to please the public, while the other is meant to please God. There is a great difference between the two, because one leads to salvation, while the other leads to damnation. Jesus warned about the latter.
Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
It is faith that is the evidence of things unseen, but one must be very careful to understand what faith really is. It’s more than just claiming to believe something, it is having the actions that back up the belief that you confess. If people are truly going to confess Jesus as their Lord, then they should have a great desire to come into compliance with scriptural truth. If they genuinely are not going to obey the will of God, then they really do not love the Lord Jesus at all. Genuine faith will result in obedience towards the one who laid down His own life for them on cross.
John 14:21-24 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
Genuine faith is the outward evidence of an inward change of the heart. It will result in having a great desire to become pleasing unto God through submission to His calling and purpose for our lives.
Hebrews 11:6 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.
Wherever you find submission to the will of God. Wherever you find obedience to His calling and purpose. Wherever you find contrition and works of repentance, you have found the evidence of faith. Like the Apostle Paul and the other children of God, make sure that you follow their….
……..Trail of Bread Crumbs
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you all, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.♥️
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