“Always Faithful”

Most of us normally perform far below our capabilities simply because we lack faith in ourselves. This can be changed when we talk, hear, read about faith and grace, for me most of the time I refer to the greatest book ever written with the greatest teacher of the ages. He summed it up when he said, “Go thy way; and as thou believed, so be it done unto thee.”

This simple statement for me cuts both directions, like a double edge sword. Faith is in some aspects the key to unlocking your doors of successes. Or it could be the lock that imprisons and keeps you from experiencing change. What I mean by that is for those of us who stand on grace need to be very careful not to just stand on a life in Jesus that is mushy, lazy and easy, just because it is centered and grounded in love. Faith for me keeps the man who keeps his faith with action, which gives us courage to endure the present as we anticipate and adjust for the future.

To be a changed people it all begins with love. But, not for a moment do I think we should underestimate just how powerful that love could be. Love really does change everything. I don’t know why, but I think it is at least a little strange that I learned so much about what a powerful force love is from a former military person, my stepbrother, William (we called him Billy). He had served two tours in Vietnam as both a Marine and in the Army. Don’t ask me how we began discussing this, but before I knew it he was explaining to me the meaning of this Latin phrase. I don’t remember the exact words I just remember it meant, “always faithful.” My brother explained that, for a military person especially a Marine, this loyalty extends beyond just loyalty to country but to one another. He would say to me, “Ronnie if you can’t trust and count on someone or each other this thing faith is meanly ness.” Trust and absolute loyalty to one another makes it possible for people to do what they could never do otherwise.” That statement has influenced me throughout my life.

Yes, indeed. The Bible is full of stories about people whose lives were transformed when the God who loves them met them where and as they were; for example in Luke 19, when Jesus called little Zacchaeus down out of the tree. Zacchaeus thought he was going to get scolded because of his cheating ways but Jesus invited him to get a meal. So overwhelmed by such a surprise Zacchaeus gave Jesus his heart. That is why to me we need to be reminded of God’s love daily. God’s love gives us confidence and courage and inspiration to do things we would never do otherwise. The apostle Paul, who spent most of his letters clarifying the priority of grace and the message that it is Love that sets us free and for us to lead a life worthy of God. But we cannot stand on grace along we need action (the law) as well and that takes hard work.

Finally, faith to me is the promise of the realization of things hoped for and unseen. Faith comes by doing. We learn by doing. We don’t learn to talk by listening to others talk, but by talking. We learn to love not by discussing love, but by loving; we learn to hope by hoping. We learn to add to our faith by expressing faith; this needs to be effective, it cannot exist in the passive state. Faith must be applied! “So add to your faith by helping the least and doing Justice”. Now that you and Jesus have met, what in the world is holding you back?

God of heaven and earth, you are truly the Lord of our lives. Your love has changed us. Give us the courage to follow you, now, wherever you lead. Help us grow closer to you and clearer about what you are calling us to do and to be. Assist us to be more and more like Jesus every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen

God Bless You and This Ministry!