Two weeks ago, I experienced my anger being removed and replaced with an internal and abiding peace from God. Last week, I was in a battle of spiritual warfare with the devil, which God won with no trouble at all. This week, I found myself under conviction concerning the weakness of my faith.
God identifies faith as the key that unlocks the door to heaven and present-day righteousness.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes ...For in it (the Gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith" Romans 1:16-17. (emphasis added) Faith from God makes one's righteousness active.
"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds" James 2:18. Faith from God makes one's dead works alive.
"But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed, therefore I spoke" we also believe, therefore we also speak" 2 Cor. 4:13. Faith from God emboldens one's tongue.
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith" 1 John 5:4. Faith from a person born again or of God (imparted faith) overcomes worldliness.
This week I began reading Francis Chan's book, "Letters to the Church." Also, I heard this week from a dear friend who heard that he was off the rails. I believe that some of the American church's conditions are off the rails, which has been my belief for the better part of forty years.
Starting a new type of church is certainly nothing new. Investing myself in a church that pleases God because His people are obedient to His Word due to discipleship that does not lead to consumerism is rare.
I have been disappointed in the church more than I care to write. I have been discipling men to one degree or another for over forty years. The release of my anger that stepped over the line of "and sin not" cannot be coincidental with reading a book that mirrors my thoughts exactly.
During the last two and a half years, I have been told, repeated by men who know me best, "you should start a church." What has been stopping me? Ironically, I have given in to the idea that I could not do such a thing. Ironical because I believe that no one can, hence faith. Another good friend told me this week, "Every new church plant is a miracle."
The scriptures said to me this week, "...not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, "A Father of many nations have I made you") in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist" Romans 4:16, 17.
Abraham gave birth, as Adam did, to the propagation of all his descendants, but neither gave birth to spiritually alive people. Only God gives spiritual life to the spiritually dead and calls into being that which does not exist. Please pray for me that I would never believe that any part of a church is my doing or within my capability. Pray that my faith would tell me daily that only God can birth and grow a people pleasing to Him.
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