Radical Faith
Galatians 2:20 I live by the FAITH of the Son of God
Radical faith just what is it? Living by faith in God being sold out to His promises, living your life according to the Word of God. How often we like to say we have faith in God, but do we? I perhaps will step on toes, hurt feelings or offend a weaker brother or sister in Christ here today, but my friends, have you sold out to Christ? Have you truly given Him everything? I suppose I could end this abruptly and just say radical faith (once again) is being sold out to Jesus. Period, the end, Amen, let us pray and have invitation time now, come sell out to Christ. BUT there is learning to be done, there are those who get a semblance of faith every Sunday morning by a pastor or speaker of whom he himself does not truly know the meaning of selling out.
HEBREWS 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
This chapter of Hebrews known as the "Hall of Faith' goes on to say how by faith great men of God stood in their days. They believed as God moved on their hearts and without evidence and convincing listened to God and moved appropriately. They believed God; God the great provider had their best interest in mind as He spoke to them.
Reading from the Bible you can see the works of faith and just what it means to be saved, justified in faith through Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:20 first mentions the word faith in this book. Paul goes on to expound on faith in the third chapter using the word faith around 14 times.
AN HOLY CALLING
We are all called of God, as Christians to serve Him. We all have "an holy calling" given by Christ Jesus in the Great Commission. Yet, we will not go, we will not surrender to the authority given us by God to proclaim salvation through Christ. Why, what is holding you back? What is more important in your life than serving the most high Holy God? Let me take a brief moment here to remind ourselves, anything, anything, any possible thing we put before God is an idol. Be careful you come not into temptation putting even your family before God. Harsh as it may sound, your family may and will become idolatrous before God if you put them in that path. The activities the meetings the desire of flesh and self all become idols when placed in front of our sovereign just God. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has told us, as Christians, to go out into the uttermost parts of the world teaching and preaching in His Name. Yet, we hold back, we wait, we think others will go. We make excuses, putting off the armor of God and laying hold of our filthy rags.
ACTS OF THE EARLY CHURCH
In the book of Acts, we read that the people came of one accord, they sold off possessions, so everyone had what they needed. Let us take a moment to put that into today's era. The one with the huge house sold it to meet needs of those with little, or they opened the house up to use as a gathering place and shelter for the homeless Sower of the Gospel. The one with three cars gave the extras to those with no cars so they could go and preach the Gospel elsewhere. The ones with farms raised the cattle to feed or sold the cattle to help themselves or others to go. The ones with extensive wardrobes gave the bountiful supply of clothes to those who had not. The ones with riches and money gave so all were able to meet the costs of flights to reach out to the uttermost telling the Good News that Jesus saves. What a radical idea, what a radical faith!
STEPPING OUT
I don't know how I will make my house payment or buy groceries or gas. What about my other bills, utilities and such? Have you met JEHOVAH JIRA? God supplies, the God that said He would not leave you or forsake you? He shall supply all you ever need. Let me say that again, He will supply all your needs. He is a faithful God giving in mercy and grace to those faithful to Him. I heard it best from a friend of mine, he said, "there will come a time when you need to throw caution to the wind and rely on God. He will supply your needs; He will sustain your life. You need to go by trust and faith in God." There is no doubt, some of you here today, waiting, sitting back, putting off your calling to serve God full-time. Stop, stop waiting trust God, for some of you it is the time to throw caution to the wind and say," God I am Yours here I am, you have my life, I am stepping out by faith trusting You alone."
CONCLUSION
No, I am not saying it will be easy. I am not saying that you may not struggle. For some the struggle will be harsh. But, when you learn true dependence in Christ, you will rise above the hardships, you will glorify God as never before. and God will use your life in ways unimaginable to the human mind. As I said earlier, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Give it to Him today, give God your life, take that step. Trust God by having a radical faith to stand for The Gospel. Trust only in our risen King Christ Jesus, it is through His Holy Glorified Name AMEN!
Definitions
RADICAL
fundamental, extreme, thorough going
FAITH
complete trust in God
COMBINED
Fundamental extreme complete trust in God
