Over the years, after writing many a message, and lesson, on the Holy Scriptures, I wanted to write a message on knowing yourself.
Knowing ones self is extremely important in maintaining ones salvation, and also growing within the Faith of God, and His Christ.
Your faith, and hope rest with you, and no one else. No one can grow for you, no one can believe for you, and no one can have faith within you.
How much do you believe within the Bible, a little, a lot, or just somewhere in between?
When the Bible tells you, that we are all Saints before God, do you believe it, or do you seek someone else's approval for it?
The Bible tells us, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Do you seek God each day, every hour, and every minute?
As this world turns from one day to the next, we see all manner of heartache, and trouble. When we desire knowledge, do we ask, or do we take what we can obtain from man?
All we know comes from God, mans intelligence also comes from God. The Bible tells us that we know as we should know. The difference between the world of darkness and the world of light is that, we being sons of God, and of His Christ, use our knowledge for the betterment of man. We seek not to obtain things for ourselves but for others. As the scriptures say; “We work to give to others.”
Acts 13:26; Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
“whosoever among you feareth God.” This part of Acts 13:26
shows us that all manner of mankind are included in the ability to receive salvation. We must look within ourselves to see what we believe, know, and understand. The Holy Spirit teaches us all the hidden mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, and Gods word. We look at our faith first, and then our belief.
Faith; the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of what God has revealed. Simple belief of the scriptures, of the being and perfections of God, and of the existence, character and doctrines of Christ, founded on the testimony of the sacred writers.
Your faith comes from belief.
Belief in the existence, character, and doctrines of Christ.
Existence; We first look within our selves for the existence of Christ as the Son of God.
Have you set your mind to the infallible truth, that Jesus existed, this with, or without, proof?
This is where your salvation, and justification, of your spirit to God comes from. We are saved by faith threw grace. For it was, in the name, and faith in His name, that saved you. This same faith that we speak of, is the guiding force for everything we do as a believer. Its not just the name of Christ that we must hold onto, but also the faith that we have in His name.
Character; Do you believe in the character of Christ, what He stands for, His manner and way of Living? Do you also maintain this same character within your daily life?
Doctrines; Do you believe in the doctrine of Christ, His teachings, blessings, and also warnings, or do you seek out a simpler way, a more convenient way of getting around the truth of the Gospel?
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.(John 14:12-14)
Our faith determines what we are able to do, weather it be a wonder, a prayer being answered, or just our daily needs being met, when all others are in need.
Our faith gives us the power to move mountains, the physical and also the spiritual. We become limited in power only threw the strength of our faith.
The key to our faith comes from what Jesus stated in,
John 15:7; “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
If ye abide; In general, “abide by” signifies to adhere to, maintain defend, or stand to, as to abide by a promise, or to be fixed or permanent in a particular condition.
To continue permanently or in the same state; to be firm and immovable. (ref;Psa 119:90.)
If your faith is in agreement with the stipulations of Christ; “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you.” you shall receive whatsoever you ask. We must look at the level of faith that we have, and build upon it, each and every day. There are so many things that we are able to do with faith.
Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority and veracity, without other evidence; the judgment that what another states or testifies is the truth.
Our faith within us is strengthened by belief. Can you believe what is unseen? Can you believe in a spirit?
Can you believe that whatsoever you ask, faith believing, you shall receive it? Is not this also dependent upon the will of God for you, and each circumstance? Yes. For as we pray, believe, and utilize, our power within the Name of Jesus, we always seek out the will of God. For example, we may pray for a war to end, this is a good thought, but if it is Gods will, or should I say, within Biblical prophecy, for this event to take place, your prayer will not be answered, being outside the will of God.
As we believe, we speak, knowing within our faith, that what we say is the truth. For faith saves and lack of faith hinders, faith saves and no faith destroys.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Php 2:12)
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.(Isa 66:2-4)
Read the word, have faith in God, have trust in the name of Jesus, seek first the kingdom and build upon your most Holy Faith. Ars.
Mat 21:22 -
Mat_7:7, Mat_7:11, Mat_18:19; Mar_11:24; Luk_11:8-10; Joh_14:13, Joh_15:7, Joh_16:24; Jam_5:16; 1Jo_3:22, 1Jo_5:14, 1Jo_5:15
Definitions from Websters.
