Living Word

“faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

(Romans 10:17)

Reflection:

The writer to the Hebrews gives us an explanation of faith, as an absolute and active confidence in God. Faith is the exercise of our options in choosing to believe that what God says is true, that what He promises will take place and that He can be trusted implicitly.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

 Paul makes it clear that faith results from our hearing the message that comes through the ‘word of Christ.’ He is referring to ‘the word of which Christ is both the content and the author.’ This teaching comes from Christ – and as such is to be believed and trusted – and is about Christ – and as such is to be believed and trusted. Christ is the revealed Son of God, the one who died for our salvation on the cross, and who is the Way, the Truth and the Life for all eternity. He is the one and only person in whom we can and should have complete trust. All teaching must point to Him and accord with what He has revealed.

 The message that we are to hear – that is of which we are to be both aware and to which we need to respond – can be received in a number of ways. Primarily it may be read in the pages of Scripture and heard through the preaching and teaching of others. For us today the Bible is vital as it enables us also to have something against which to measure the information that we receive from other sources. There is a vast amount of other books and teachings available to us today not all of which are helpful or completely true.

 The focus and foundation of our faith is always God Himself, revealed to us as the Almighty Father, Christ our Saviour, Lord and King and the Holy Spirit. His words and promises are true and dependable because they come from Him and the fulfillment of their purpose is undertaken by Him.

“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

 No matter what our personal or other circumstances might be – and which influence the way that we feel – God is in complete control, His promises remain true and nothing can separate us from His love. His will and purpose will prevail for He is invincible.

Response:

Soak yourself in the Gospels and Epistles. Keep asking “What does this tell me about God!”

Prayer:

Lord please build me up in faith and love – and help me to continually choose to trust and love You. Amen.

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