2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
In this new creation family, our entire relationship and everything in it, is based on our faith in the Love of the One Who gave us Life. We've done the very thing Paul said about the Church of Galatia and have allowed ourselves to be placed back under the Law. When we refuse to believe what God has done for us by faith, we try establishing our own righteousness by works. This has undermined our faith in what Jesus has done to bring us back into family with God.
The faith movement has been happening in the Church for some time now, but some of the preaching has been wrong or at least wrongly heard. Faith isn't some sort of magic that is conjured up like witchcraft. Faith is simple trust in the Love of the One Who has given us His Own Life. Many believe they're walking in faith, while they're debating whether or not God really means what He says. These people aren't walking in faith, but are "double-minded," like James says in James 1:8.
There are so many varying messages given in today's Church, that it creates confusion for many new Christians and they're left not knowing which message they should place their faith in. Many Christians conclude that everything happening in the world is God's will and don't pray about those things, saying instead, "Thy will be done." Don't get me wrong! God's will is being done in certain things and His will, will prove out at the end of all things. For your own life and walk with God, though, this might not be so.
It is carnal thinking, when we allow ourselves to believe that sickness, early death of loved ones, drug addiction (along with other such conditions), are the Father's will for His children. In a letter to the Church in Galatia, Paul rebuked the early members for going back to the carnal ways of serving the Lord. Thus, in Galatians 5:5-6 (Amplified) he says, "For we (not relying on the Law but) through the (Holy Spirit) help, by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God (our conformity to His will in purpose thought and action) causes us to hope For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through Love."
Many think that if we're not walking in Love, then our faith isn't working well either. This is true to some extent, but this isn't really what this scripture is about. If Paul was talking about our Love towards others, then he wouldn't have mentioned circumcision or noncircumcision, because this has nothing to do with our Love walk with others. He was speaking about our lack of understanding God's Love for us. The people Paul spoke too, were trying to show love by Law and not understanding Grace for themselves. They were still trying to be "in favor" with God, by Law. Faith that is working by Love, is our faith in His Love for us. This Love does away with circumcision or even uncircumcision. We are Blessed and accepted, when we (by faith in God's Love for us) accept His Word in this blessing and hope.
When we accept God's Love by faith, when we understand His Love by faith, when we stop trying to prove our Love for Him and accept His Love for us, then our faith will work like it should. God had to give us His Love, long before we could really Love Him at all, according to Romans 5:5 (Amplified) which says, "Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's Love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us."
We had to be baptized into the Love of God (in and by the Holy Spirit), in order the know how to return our love and worship to Him. Without understanding this and putting faith in His Love for us, we continue trying to to merit His favor and Blessing, by our own works. When we do this, even with good intentions, we're still under the works of the flesh and not really faith in His Love for us.
Throughout the years, religion and tradition have strongly taught works, instead of faith. Every person has his own faith, but it's also a Gift of God. We've been taught that God's Blessing and favor are still obtained by our works, instead of what He has done. This isn't faith that works by Love, but is religion that works by our own flesh. I'm not suggesting that we're not to walk upright before God, but I'm saying that your right standing before Him, isn't based on you. It's based on the Right standing of Jesus, on our behalf. It was and is His Love, that made us righteous before Him. And, it's faith that works by our understanding this Love,that makes our faith in Him work.
You can't really have faith that God will hear and answer your prayer and petitions, if they're based on your works instead of faith in His Work of Love, that made you righteous. The righteousness that has been given to us, isn't our righteousness, but His righteousness by Love.
When we approach Him by righteousness (His Gift of Love to us) instead of religion (our efforts at being righteous), when we approach God in Love (His Love for Him and by Him) instead of by Law (our own idea of Love, by faith in our works), then our faith is made perfect in Love. 1John 4:18 (Amplified) says, "There is no fear in Love (dread does not exist), but full grown (complete, perfect) Love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and (So) he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of Love (is not yet grown into Love's complete perfection)."
Many new creation people, continue in "fear," expecting God to withhold the things of the family, if we don't follow the Law. We still have "dread of things to come," because we know we're still making mistakes. We know we aren't doing everything just right and make mistakes. I'm not implying we shouldn't strive to govern ourselves by and through the Word and the Holy Spirit, but we must put faith in God's Love (not our works). Our faith will work by understanding His Love for us.
Many of us, still expect and look for the punishment for our failures, instead of expecting and looking for Grace, by His Love. This has held people from having faith that works by Love, for centuries. 1John 3:19-21 (Amplified) tells us, "By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His Presence. Whenever our hearts in (tormenting) self-accusations make us feel guilty and condemn us. (For we are in God's hands) For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts) and He knows (perceives and understands) everything (nothing is hidden from Him). And beloved, if our hearts (consciences) do not accuse us (if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us) we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God."
This is faith that works by Love. When we understand God's Love for us, our faith in Him will keep working, because we're not relying in faith in our own ability. No one who is truly saved, is trying to sin under Grace. Thinking that Jesus came to allow us to sin win without consequence, is a worldly and demonic teaching. 1John 1:9 (Amplified) says, "But, IF we sin, we have Jesus Who is our Intercessor." Put your faith in the Truth that you are righteous, because of His Love and not your own actions. We're maturing and making fewer mistakes in our walk with God. His Love covers every mistake and God continues hearing us, by our faith in His Love.
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