Think About This: “Faith and fear both demand you believe in something you cannot see. Choose wisely!” – Christa Elisha
The Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 8-11 You can download our 2023 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
Posted on January 3, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters
“Faith is not the absence of doubt; it is continuing to follow Jesus in the midst of doubt.” ~ J.D. Greear
So, if a veil of prideful arrogance lies over the heart of those who believe the delusion that assumes they can live without God’s grace, mercy, and love; and this veil is only removed when they turn to Jesus as Lord, and yet in order to turn to Jesus, they must see the glory of Christ that the veil obscures…. what hope do those who are blinded have?
This is the importance of God’s Word and the teaching and preaching of it; “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Rom 10:17).
Paul writes, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory and majesty of God [clearly revealed] in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:5-6)
Where do you find this light that is the Glory of God? In the face of Jesus, ‘for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to God but by me.’ Where is Jesus found? In the Bible, for it is His Story; the Gospels give you the record of His fantastic life on earth; the Epistles give explanation for the implications of His life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to God’s throne where He is our Advocate; the Old Testament is full of examples of His character and His person. As you read the Bible and allow the Spirit of God interpret it for you, the ‘face of Jesus’ will become clear to you. This is how light comes into a darkened or veiled heart.
Just as God spoke into darkness at creation and new life was established, so to His Word when it is read, taught, and preached, shines in your heart to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God that is in the face of Christ. At this point, having been exposed to God’s Word, you have two options because God’s Word is never without impact. You can accept what you hear as the truth and allow it to warm your heart, bringing it to life; OR, you can reject the truth and allow it to harden your heart, keeping the veil in place.
Do you want to know the freedom that is in Christ? Do you want your heart transformed into the same glory Jesus’ life manifested? Do you need the Spirit that gives life? Then open His Word and let His Spirit guide you. Get into church and hear His Word preached. Get into a study where the Scriptures are being taught. Rejecting all this for anything else, is only choosing to harden your heart to the truth and keeping the veil in place; this choice only leads to despair, loneliness, and death.
There is hope for All who call on the name of the Lord…
Choose wisely….
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13)
Praying you choose Christ as Lord today!
Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church. He is the author of two devotional books, “From a Chair by the Window.” And “#PrayerWinsThe Day”.
Think About This: “Faith and fear both demand you believe in something you cannot see. Choose wisely!” – Christa Elisha
The Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 8-11 You can download our 2023 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23