Faith; measured by sacrifice

Phil 1:27-29"Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting."

It is not enough for us to simply trust in Christ or to believe. There is more to life than this. True faith is not measured in our trust of GOD, it’s measured in how much we are willing to suffer for Him; in how much we are willing to sacrifice – and then still trust Him! That may sound scary, but actually, it's really encouraging! It means that when hard times face us that we have an opportunity for true worship!!

Worship is an offering to GOD. It’s a moment where we enter into the Most Holy’s presence, encounter Him and become a fragrant offering. It needs to be a moment where we truthfully seek GOD on a soul-level.

It’s easy to say that our salvation is ‘free’ and that Grace paid for it for us. But in order to accept that, we need to respond. We need take on the very Spirit of GOD. It’s this Spirit that gives us the will to give of ourselves, to make decisions that will benefit others without necessarily any benefit to us, that will empower us to act selflessly. It’s the Spirit that goes against our own desires, ego and selfishness. It’s GOD’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the one who intercedes on our behalf in groans that we cannot understand.

Faith is about being willing to risk everything in exchange for GOD’s faithfulness. It's about embracing Grace and responding in worship. Hard times come our way for many reasons, and it’s not the hard times that matter, but our response. Our willingness to suffer and risk GOD coming through for us! Read the Old Testament, read the New Testament. Speak to people in your church who have risked anything for GOD and you will find a Faithfulness that knows no end, no limitations and abounds in love.

I pray that you will know GOD’s presence and power in the midst of your hard times! I pray that His gift of Faith to you will encourage you and others!