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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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“Where He Ain't” A
little boy was wandering through his neighborhood
admiring all of the marvels of creation that he could
find. A neighbor was watching the boy’s behavior and asked him
what he was doing.
“I’m just looking at all of the things God
created,” the boy replied.
“Humph!” replied the unbelieving neighbor.
“If you will tell me where God is, I’ll give you a
brand new dime!”
Quick as a flash the little boy answered with a
sure confidence, “I’ll give you a dollar, Mister,
if you’ll tell me where God ain’t!” In Hebrews 11:6 we learn: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that (1) He is, AND that (2) He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." From this text we learn that faith includes: 1)
Believing IN God - i.e. believing that God exists.
Now faith involves things we cannot see
(see Hebrews 11:1).
Although no one has ever SEEN God (see John
1:18) because He is Spirit (John 4:24), this does NOT
mean that there is NO evidence of His existence.
BIBLE
FAITH is NOT
BLIND FAITH, contrary to the misconception of
many. For example... let’s suppose that you have traveled by boat to an uncharted island that you assume is uninhabited. As you pull your boat onto the beach, you notice a set of footprints in the sand. What have you learned? You have learned that someone has been on that island! How do you know that -- did you SEE the person? NO, but you HAVE SEEN evidence that the person has been there. In
the same way, no one has SEEN God, but we CAN see His “footprints,”
His “handprints,” His “fingerprints,”
ALL around us (see Romans 1:20). Faith also includes… 2) Believing God – i.e. trust in His promise to reward "those who diligently seek" Him. Through nature we can know ABOUT God – through the Bible we can KNOW God! You can look at nature and recognize the existence of God, but you will NEVER know anything ELSE about God until you read His Word. ONLY the Word of God tells us who God is and what He expects of us. Through an open and honest study of God’s Word, FAITH is built (Romans 10:17). The faith that develops is not only a certainty of His existence (believing IN God) but also a trust in His promises (believing God). This kind of faith will cause one to ACT on his faith by responding to His will. We find in Scripture that those who acknowledged the existence of God AND trusted His promises, ACTED on their faith by submitting their lives in obedience to the will of God. Obedience to His will includes: repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10), confession of Jesus Christ, God’s Son (Romans 10:9-10), and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Do you believe IN God? If so, do you BELIEVE God? If so, will you now ACT on your faith in obedience?Have YOU obeyed the gospel? (click here) God
bless you!
David A. Sargent,
Minister To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchsearch.org Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org |