GOD SPEAKS

This is good news to hear that many people are accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. But the basis for their faith accepting Him is more important as the same will lead them till they reach Him or until His second coming. We have to hold our faith fast till the end which is a difficult thing but is possible if our faith is built on the Lord himself. As we all know, Our Lord said –Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8. His intention is about the possibility that our faith may fade away. Therefore, we have to try to be faithful till we leave this world as it is written –“be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Revelation 2:10”. If our faith is built on the right foundation, we will hold it till the end and be heirs of His kingdom.

A general way of looking at God is – we will believe him after seeing His power, His works in our life. His miracles, his signs etc., should not be the foundation for our faith but the Lord himself who did all these to us should be the source of our faith.

In this context, you may read this verse from the Bible- And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. Exodus 3:2-3

Moses saw two things:(1) Angel of the Lord (Jesus Christ)in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush(2) A bush burned with fire which was not consumed

After seeing the above, Lord Servant Moses reasoned within himself and said that he would turn aside to the great sight why the bush was not burnt. Surely, Moses was a man of God on the earth for which God himself gives a testimony that no such prophet was born like unto him whom the Lord knew face to face.   Now for a second assume yourself in the place of Moses and ask yourself – what would I do if I were in his place? Would you prefer to see- the Angel of the Lord appeared in a flame of fire out of the midst of the bush or a bush burned with fire but not consumed? Would you prefer to think why the Angel of the Lord appeared to me or why the bush was not consumed even the bush was burned with fire? Your assumption represents how people are approaching the Lord and making Him as a Saviour.

If you prefer to look at the BUSH and believe the Lord after seeing His miracle-how the bush was not consumed, the source of your faith will be His miracle but not the Lord himself. Miracles and wonders do happen in our life as He is there for you and me forever. But if they are taken as the source of our faith, our faith may fade away. But, in the same bush the Angel of the Lord is also present there. The Angel of the Lord is more important to see than the Bush burning. He is the source for the miracle happened. If your preference is to see the Angel of the Lord, who is the Saviour Lord Jesus Christ, your faith is on the right foundation. Now a day, in many places, the true gospel is not being preached to the people but trying to attract the people through miracles, healings etc.,(BUSH), neglecting to introduce Jesus Christ( THE ANGEL OF THE LORD) who Himself as the source of faith to people. Therefore, (a) Test the source of your faith – Is the Crucified Lord himself is the source for your faith?  (b) Can you be faithful unto death?

We boast that we are children of God and give testimonies that He has done many great things in our life. Once you claim this before all, you will be held responsible for our acts since as soon as you proclaim that you belong to the Living God, you have become a representative of Him on the earth. As the faith is a substance that cannot be seen, people see your faith through your works Therefore, all your works shall be seen from the point of view of your faith. If you are really a good believer, it is really a blessing for you as it is written in the Bible- “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone James 2:17”. Therefore, people see you through your works establishing a relation with faith though it is not a correct deduction always.

As it is written in the Bible- “that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus 1 Philemon 1:5-6.” Our faith communicates with others. The others could be either – (1) Believers or (2) Non- Believers. Your deeds will communicate with them. In this matter, you cannot be a negligent to consider the results of such communication as you are responsible for it.

Negative communication:

(1)If you disobey the word of God and commit sin; the name of the God is blasphemed. As it is written in the Bible -“thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery ? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege ?thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonorest thou God ?For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. Romans 2:21-24.” Also read- but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me ; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30. You cannot be ignorant of this fact that after proclaiming yourself as a follower of Christ and teaching His doctrines amongst the people and thereafter committing sins means that you are dishonoring our Lord. Therefore, your communication to others is giving negative report. Though a relationship between your wrong deeds and your faith cannot be established directly, people perceive it as so. This could tell us that while doing a sin, you are not only making yourself worthy for eternal punishment but also dishonoring our God. Dishonoring Him may damage you much!

(2) Sometimes you may not disobey His command, but improper application of your knowledge of God according the context may also lead to miscommunication of faith. Read this verse-“ For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols ; and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died ? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:10-12”. As you see this is sin against our brethren!

Positive Communication:

(1) Having faith in Christ, if your works of faith attract others ( both believers and non-believers), surely it is a blessing!. See Philemon was a testimony before us. Read –“that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus 1 Philemon 1:5-6.” A good communication of faith attracts more people towards God. As the word of God says- “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16.” If your works glorify His Name, you are honoring Him and you are a blessed one!

Therefore,
(1) Your evil deeds leading to negative communication of faith may dishonor God and the same may be a curse to you.
(2) Your works of faith yield blessings from the Lord
(3) Strive always to attract others towards the Lord through communication of your faith.