FREE #4 - The Faith Factor
Galatians 5:5-6 (NIV) 5 “For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Paul’s words here speak to a Vital Factor in the fight for your soul … Essentially the Enemy wants you in Bondage – Jesus Christ wants you Set Free. Paul states then the PRIMARY FACET IS FAITH.
**FAITH IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS THE HANDCUFFS OF BONDAGE** …
FAITH DEFINITION: HEB 11:1 (AMP) “NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].”
There are Three Strategic Components to FAITH:
(1) You are Assured of What You Can’t See [Faith is TRUST];
(2) You have Hope and Inward Proof of What is Unseen [Faith is CONFIDENCE];
(3) You Perceive as Fact What is Not Revealed by the Senses [Faith is CONVICTION].
OLD TESTAMENT EVIDENCE OF FAITH (and How it Sets Free)
A. GENESIS 6:9-22 NOAH & THE FLOOD = Freedom from Drowning
B. GENESIS 22:3-18 ABRAHAM’S TEST = Freedom from Son's Death
C. EXODUS 14:10-28 MOSES’ FIRM STAND= Freedom From Pharaoh's Killer Army
You see, The FAITH FACTOR involves the Holy Spirit of God “For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith” v5a
1. THE SPIRIT GIVES FAITH Gal 5:5 “For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope” There are Three Key Elements expressed here: (1) FAITH: God’s Spirit knows Faith Doesn’t Come Easy. It’s a Special Gift to FULLY, ABANDONLY TRUST WITH YOUR WHOLE BEING! And God gives His Spirit to Fortify Your Faith! Romans 8:24-26a (NIV) 24 “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness”. The 2nd Key Element is (2) RIGHTEOUSNESS: “await by faith the righteousness...” The HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD. So HE is All About Righteousness, Holiness and Perfection. You will Never on this Earth Be Perfect But By Faith and in the Might of God’s Spirit You Strive for that. THE FAITH FACTOR: Righteousness! Right Living. And By Faith You Trust the HS to make You More & More Sanctified and Righteous! And Then The Final Key Element ... (3) HOPE: “await by faith the righteousness for which we hope” Hope is What We Need. We were all born into a World of Hopelessness. Do You Realize the “Handcuffs of Bondage” Have a Word that Describes them Perfectly; HOPELESSNESS. Let Me Tell You that FREEDOM IS IN THE FAITH FACTOR And the Result is HOPE! => Freedom through the Spirit: Your FAITH FACTOR!
2. THE SON HONORS FAITH Gal 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” And Here are Three Key Considerations: (1) LAW: FUNDAMENTAL FACT=> “… no value …” There is No Reason to Stick with Law (neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value)! Paul’s Words are Significant: “For in Christ Jesus” means you have the Essence of the FAITH FACTOR in Your Savior! It’s Not the Law – It’s Not Tradition – It’s Not Religion – It’s Not Even the Organized Church! IT IS IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS X! (2) FAITH (here is that word again): “the only thing that counts is faith” THE FAITH FACTOR is Wrapped Up in the Person of Jesus X! We are NOT talking about an Arbitrary Belief or Trust in Religiousness or Church or Good Efforts. It is an Abandoned Selfless Reliance upon the Very Person of God Himself == the Lord Jesus Christ! True Freedom comes from True Faith in X Jesus! (3) LOVE: “faith expressing itself through love” Now get this right! … Paul is NOT suggesting Faith and Love are Equal Elements and pose your status greatly before God. NO, he is saying THE FAITH FACTOR RESULTS IN LOVE; Christ's Love (in Greek the word is agape)! This is Awesome! => The Value of the FAITH FACTOR Is Your Freedom!
Three Final Suggests to Consider >
1. TRUE FAITH LEADS TO ABANDONED OBEDIENCE RESULTING TO BLESSING FROM GOD - FREEDOM!
2. TRUE FAITH LEADS OT ABUNDANT LIFE – NOT COMFORTABLE LIFE – CAUSING FREEDOM!
3. TRUE FAITH BRINGS PROTECTION, PROSPERITY (Spiritual not Material) AND PURPOSE - FREEDOM!
Comments are always encouaged!
Comments