— From the distaff side —

True Faith

Faith is central to living the Christian life but too often it remains a lifeless thing, producing no true fruit; empty of the inner governing power of the Holy Spirit.  Right living, giving and good works can look and feel good, yet sadly might be nothing but religious counterfeit: self directed and serving self interests.  Even the most noble, altruistic, generous behavior, if so motivated, can keep us from heavenly gain, of glorifying God and being Spirit-filled.  "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing" — 1Cor 13:3.  God’s love must be the root and life of our faith from start to finish.  This is true faith.

Effectual Christian faith can only be produced from a heart unshakably rooted in God’s love.  "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love — Gal  5:6.  Paul joyously reveals: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" — Gal 2:20.  This is true faith and reflects a Spirit-filled life.  If it has been hard for you to believe God’s love, meditate these words until they take root in your heart: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" — Heb 4:12,13; Eph 2:4-8.

Are you hungry for true faith?  For the fullness of the Spirit; His fruit; His manifest presence and power ?  If these are your heart’s desire, to glorify God, humble prayer is the first step.  The words in Paul’s prayer (Eph 3:14-21), will help focus our plea (paraphrased): Father, in Jesus’ name, we ask that You would grant us, according to the riches of Your glory, to strengthen us with might by Your Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that we might be filled with all the fulness of God.  You are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within us.  All glory be to You in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever!  Amen. We CAN have a true faith; alive with the love of Christ; full of the Holy Spirit.  Glory!  — D.

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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