Faith changes everything

We cannot fully grasp and comprehend God, sin, evil or even ourselves. That is probably the reason why God established faith, not only for us to find the truth but, also that by faith, we would be permanently changed and impacted. To this, we read in Hebrews 11:6 “And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him.” We are unable to please God through logic, experience, strength of will, philosophy, intelligence, science or even religion. It is only faith which pleases God! No more and no less. Insight into this world and also the invisible world, and that which pertains to it, is only attained spiritually through faith (Hebrews 11:3). In Ephesians 4:22-24 we read: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” What is meant by this? That by faith, we utilize that which is good in our daily lives, to live a godly life. And that which is good is the new man – the spiritually oriented man. And he is of God. The old man does not get recycled, but he was crucified with Christ and died on the cross (through faith). We must therefore believe, for our flesh suggests and mediates to us the opposite of what we must believe and how we should live. The good is Christ in us – who created the new man.

It is a matter of practical faith, when we are able to, in this evil world and in a body which is prone to sin, daily take up the cross, in order to live a spiritual life in this paradox. Precisely this is our job, our destiny and God's will in holiness (without which we will not see God). The good which we effectively do, is accomplished through the new man, that which God, through His Holy Spirit placed within us – and continues to do. We should also accept this through faith, and assume that God will ensure that we are able to, as Christians, do those things which pleases HIM. God prepares the way in which we can and should walk – Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” We may not always perceive that we are new creations in Christ. Therefore, we must simply believe it and accept it as absolute truth. Faith changes our perception and strengthens our relationship with God. We should recognize ourselves as new men, and thereby draw our motivations for progression. That which is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). Faith is, so to speak all-present in our (new) lives. We can (should) effectively do all things through faith. Of Abraham, a great example of a man of faith, we read in Romans 4:20-21 “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.” Amen.

Jörg Bauer