If It's Not Faith, It Is Sin
“But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). We certainly desire to please God, so we “must believe that he is”; that He exists. Secondly, we must believe that God will reward us when we seek Him. Many people are like Thomas, “… Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe” (Jn. 20:25). …But what did Jesus say to Thomas? “…be not faithless, but believing. …Thomas, because thou hast seen me thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (v. 27&29). Jesus declares that there is a special blessing to those who believe without actually seeing.
“…God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3). If an individual would only look to the heavens and see the wonders of all creation, he would have to know that God is. If one would look at the design of the human body and the miracle of procreation, he would believe that God is. I wonder how anybody could not believe that God is. The big question is, “Do we believe that God would answer our prayers?” “Would He move on our behalf?” We read in Romans 14:23, “…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Listen to the Amplified, “For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].” We see the example of this in these passages of Scripture. “But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith”. Someone may offer you an alcoholic beverage, but your heart says that this is wrong. If you go ahead and accept the drink, the Word says that you “stand condemned before God.”
“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense (compensation) of reward. For ye have need of patience (single minded on God’s promises), that, after ye have done the will of God (the Word; specific instruction from God to you), ye might (not a maybe but an absolute) receive the promise… Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (ruin and damnation); but of them that believe (who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah) to the saving (preserving) of the soul” (Heb. 10:35&36, 38&39).
Satan is a tempter and a deceiver. He desires mankind to doubt God and God’s Word. He wants them to displease God and live condemned. He whispers over and over to individuals what that person sees, hears, and feels. Satan calls that truth. He attempts to leave them doubting and left discouraged. God says that Truth is the Word (John 17:17). Mankind has a tendency to believe the testimony of flesh more than the testimony of the Word. We must resist the devil in Jesus’ Name; cast down satan’s lies; and speak forth the Promises in God’s Word concerning our situation. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 Jn. 5:4). (To be continued.)