The Faith
Hello Faithful Ones,
Do you know what you believe? Do you know why you believe it? What is different about your belief compared to your Hindu or Buddhist neighbor? Who is Jesus? Why is it important to believe in Him? Could you pass on your faith to someone else? Could you explain to your children, your friends and family, the core tenets of your Christian faith? What we believe is really important! It is literally a matter of life and death. Yet, how many of us could actually sit down and explain in detail what we believe as followers of Jesus, and why it’s important for others to believe what we believe? If you really believed what the Bible teaches about Jesus, and that without faith in Him people perish (John 3:16), would you not think it is important to share the “good news” with those you want to see in Heaven with you? Today is Family Day in Ontario, a time to share family values with the ones you love. What do you value? Do we value our children enough to make sure they understand “The Faith”, without which no one will enter the kingdom of God.
“The Faith” as it is called in the New Testament, is closely tied to “The Gospel”, which includes John 3:16, but it is so much more. It is the whole revelation of the plan of God to reconcile a people for His name’s sake through the redeeming work of His Son. “The Faith” is about finding true life in the person of Jesus Christ, not only life for the present age but for the age to come. “The Faith” includes the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. It includes the work of Holy Spirit to give the New Birth, to justify the guilty sinner by the blood of Jesus and reconcile him/her back to the Father. It includes adoption, sanctification, holiness, and glorification of the believer, preparing him/her to inherit the kingdom of God. It includes the truth that Jesus will return one day to receive His bride, the church and take her to be with Him. It includes a judgment of eternal damnation for those who don’t truly believe who Jesus is. It includes the importance of belonging to a local body of believers in order to live out the commands of Jesus and mutually live a life of love and service. All of the doctrines of “The Faith” can be found in the word of God, and specifically in the New Testament; have you read it recently? It’s God’s revelation of how to have a relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and how to live “The Faith” out in the world and with our Christian brothers and sisters. “The Faith” is something we all need to know and pass on to the next generation. It’s of such eternal importance that Satan will do everything in his power to keep people from hearing, believing and receiving “The Faith”. Jesus warned about false teachers (Matt. 24) and Satan stealing the Word planted in a heart (Matt. 13:19). It is the Apostle Paul who made it his mission to ensure that “The Faith” was passed on and taught to the churches. His writings comprise about half of the New Testament books, but his three pastoral epistles to Timothy and Titus, his replacements, are filled with doctrines of “The Faith” and warnings of the spread of false teaching.
Near the end of his life, he writes to his spiritual son Timothy: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith’ (2Tim. 4:7). It’s a battle to keep “The Faith”! We are surrounded by false religions, false teachers, false prophets and doctrines of demons. “The Faith” we believe has always been under attack…from the moment Christianity started to our present day. Paul warned of a great deception and falling away from “The Faith”, and we are seeing it on a large scale in our day. To ‘keep’ means to guard and protect against heretical teaching. The church throughout history has had to guard “The Faith”. They did so by writing creeds to have a common faith among believers that could be recited and memorized. There are even creeds in the New Testament the church used as songs to remember the core tenets of “The Faith” (see Phil 2:5-11, Col 1:15-20, 1Tim 3:16, Heb 1:1-3, and 1Pet 2:21-25). Here is the Apostles Creed from the late 4th century:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
What do we believe? Does your family believe it too or do you just assume because they heard bits of it in church or prayed a prayer once that they are still in “The Faith”. And with all the deception and false teaching nowadays, would we not want to regularly make sure that they have not wandered from “The Faith”. “The Faith” comes through Jesus (Acts 3:16). At one time Paul tried to destroy “The Faith” but after his conversion, made it his mission to preach “The Faith” (Gal. 1:23) and to encourage disciples to ‘remain true to the faith’ (Acts 14:22). We are to examine ourselves to see if we are truly in “The Faith” (2Cor.13:5) and watch that we stand firm in obedience to “The Faith” (1Cor.16:13; Rom. 1:5). Some are recorded to have made shipwreck of their faith (1Tim. 1:19), departed from “The Faith” (2Tim. 2:16-18; 2Tim. 4:10-16). It’s a battle friends! Jesus’s brother Jude reminds us to contend earnestly for “The Faith” (Jude 1:3). There is, in our day, a defection from “The Faith” just as Holy Spirit warned would happen (1Tim. 4:1-6). There is so much deception out there! It seems every single doctrine of “The Faith” is under attack – from the deity of Christ to His immanent return. It is imperative that we resist the devil and stand firm in “The Faith” (1Pet. 5:9). Can I encourage you to read 1st and 2nd Timothy, and 1st John. Our defense is to remain true to the word of God, the teachings of Christ and His church, and to never lose our first love – our devotion to Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Jude 1:21).
I could go on and on with the importance of truly knowing and adhering to “The Faith”. It is the job of the parents to transfer “The Faith” to their children. Maybe this Family Day could have a different emphasis; one with eternal value. I close with the words of a spiritual father to his spiritual son:
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. And so I solemnly urge you before God and before Christ Jesus -- who will someday judge the living and the dead when He appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you. (2Tim. 3:14 to 4:1-5 NLT).
Let us all be able to say at the end of our lives: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me -- the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His glorious return.” (2Tim. 4:7-8)
Peace and Joy
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