Live by faith
Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul (heart) has no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38
I remember the time this verse actually made sense to me. I had always thought it was a “no brainer” before that. Of course the just live by faith, that is what being a Christian is, someone who has faith that God sent Jesus to save them. Yet, I always felt a catch whenever I heard or read this phrase. This isn’t the only place it is used in scripture, but I didn’t realize that either. Finally one day, I was listening to a teaching message on giving every area of your life over to God and then letting Him direct your steps in all the places of your heart. Not just the church part. Then this verse was used: The just live by faith, in every relationship in their lives. In my relationship with God, I certainly do, right? What about my relationship with my husband and children? Do I govern all my words and responses to them in agreement with my faith in God? What about my friends and neighbors, I’m talking about the ones that don’t go to church. Then there is the whole group of people I work with and the list continues.
The process of bringing all these connections before God, brought clarity and understanding into why some of my relationships needed some work. Then I read the second part of the passage that says if anyone draws back (from living by faith) my soul has no pleasure in him. When I keep any area of my life out of God’s reach, it does not please Him. Not because He is nosy or controlling, it is actually quite the opposite. God set it up so that He could only have access in the areas that I gave Him an entrance to. This was all part of His “free will” plan. God does not force His way into anyone’s life and He certainly doesn’t push people out of the way to get His will done for them. It is a cooperative effort. God wants to work with us to accomplish all the good plans He has for us. His heart is to be invited into showing each one of us the direction to go and the choices to make. Some are simple and we can follow His Word (scripture) to make them, others require a more intimate relationship with His Holy Spirit to guide you through the more difficult decisions.
The point is, God takes pleasure in us living by faith because we give His access into every area of our lives in that way we work together with Him as He leads us to the green pastures and living water. God desires to intimately walk through life with each one of His children, but He gives you the choice to acknowledge Him in all your ways.
Today I want to encourage you to live by faith in every area of your life. Don’t be fooled into thinking that because you go to church or read your Bible every day that you are actually walking in faith in all your relationships. Make a conscience effort to invite your Heavenly Father into every compartment and ask Him to reveal to you if you are keeping Him out somewhere. He will because it is His will that you walk by faith, and you cannot do that without being connected Him in all things.
Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 10:26-39
The Daily Dose 