Monday, August 30, 2010
INCREASE YOUR MEASURE
Romans 12:1-3 KJV “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that Ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Paul teaches in Romans 12:3 that God has given to every man "the measure" of faith. Because the Bible declares in Hebrews 11:6 that, "…without faith, it is impossible to please him;…" we can conclude that faith is essential to our Christian walk. Let's look at faith as a vehicle. Most of us have driven, or, have at least ridden in a vehicle and are aware that certain measures have to be taken to maintain the vehicle.
A vehicle is useful in assisting a person in getting from his/her point of origin to his/her destination. As car owners, there are times that we depend on our vehicle more greatly than other times. In this instance, we must be sure that we have done what is necessary to keep our vehicle in a suitable condition to meet our needs. Neglecting oil and fluid changes, new tires and a battery will guarantee that at some point you will be halted or become stranded as your pursue your destination.
Just as the wise vehicle owner takes vested interest in caring for a vehicle, we must take vested interested in treasuring our measure of faith. Faith must be exercised to become strengthened. We strengthen our measure by adding more faith. "So then, faith cometh by hearing"…. (Romans 10:17). Faith is not a product of human reasoning, but it is a natural response of our spirit when the Word of God is heard. Faith cannot be reasoned out or understood without our spiritual senses. If we rely on our five senses to make sense of faith, we will be misled because our natural senses cannot perceive spiritual works. We must now accept that without faith, not only can we not please God, but we cannot even believe Him or his Word. So God graciously gave us enough faith to have a "running start" in order that we might believe his Word so that we could receive salvation.
If we do not treasure our measure of faith, or if we neglect to build-up our faith by hearing God's word, praying God's word, believing God's word and speaking God's word, we are merely setting ourselves up to be stranded during our transition from point A to point B or "season" A and "season" B. We will be forced to wait for someone to come along and give us a boost, a jump start or a tow, or to wait alone until the enemy comes and strips us down. He's a thief and a robber!
Can we survive just on the measure that God has gave us? Sure, but just remember that if the you leave your treasure laying around, it's available for the enemy to steal or destroy. So treasure your measure, and in so doing, your measure will grow into a faith that will not only work for you, but will also work on behalf of others. Treasure your measure. Through the grace of God this "measure" is given to every person who believes in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). What we do with the "measure" is up to us.
Father, I am thankful that you have given to me the measure of faith. I believe your word when it says that faith comes by hearing your word. I pray for a greater desire and more sincere hunger to hear, study and know your Word so that my faith will be strengthened and increased. By faith, I confess that I am a doer of your Word and not a hearer only, because your word tells me that faith without works is dead. Father, help me to treasure the measure of faith that I have, so that I may continue to walk with you completely trusting and believing you every step of the way, In Jesus' name, Amen.
Romans 12:1-3 KJV “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that Ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Paul teaches in Romans 12:3 that God has given to every man "the measure" of faith. Because the Bible declares in Hebrews 11:6 that, "…without faith, it is impossible to please him;…" we can conclude that faith is essential to our Christian walk. Let's look at faith as a vehicle. Most of us have driven, or, have at least ridden in a vehicle and are aware that certain measures have to be taken to maintain the vehicle.
A vehicle is useful in assisting a person in getting from his/her point of origin to his/her destination. As car owners, there are times that we depend on our vehicle more greatly than other times. In this instance, we must be sure that we have done what is necessary to keep our vehicle in a suitable condition to meet our needs. Neglecting oil and fluid changes, new tires and a battery will guarantee that at some point you will be halted or become stranded as your pursue your destination.
Just as the wise vehicle owner takes vested interest in caring for a vehicle, we must take vested interested in treasuring our measure of faith. Faith must be exercised to become strengthened. We strengthen our measure by adding more faith. "So then, faith cometh by hearing"…. (Romans 10:17). Faith is not a product of human reasoning, but it is a natural response of our spirit when the Word of God is heard. Faith cannot be reasoned out or understood without our spiritual senses. If we rely on our five senses to make sense of faith, we will be misled because our natural senses cannot perceive spiritual works. We must now accept that without faith, not only can we not please God, but we cannot even believe Him or his Word. So God graciously gave us enough faith to have a "running start" in order that we might believe his Word so that we could receive salvation.
If we do not treasure our measure of faith, or if we neglect to build-up our faith by hearing God's word, praying God's word, believing God's word and speaking God's word, we are merely setting ourselves up to be stranded during our transition from point A to point B or "season" A and "season" B. We will be forced to wait for someone to come along and give us a boost, a jump start or a tow, or to wait alone until the enemy comes and strips us down. He's a thief and a robber!
Can we survive just on the measure that God has gave us? Sure, but just remember that if the you leave your treasure laying around, it's available for the enemy to steal or destroy. So treasure your measure, and in so doing, your measure will grow into a faith that will not only work for you, but will also work on behalf of others. Treasure your measure. Through the grace of God this "measure" is given to every person who believes in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). What we do with the "measure" is up to us.
Father, I am thankful that you have given to me the measure of faith. I believe your word when it says that faith comes by hearing your word. I pray for a greater desire and more sincere hunger to hear, study and know your Word so that my faith will be strengthened and increased. By faith, I confess that I am a doer of your Word and not a hearer only, because your word tells me that faith without works is dead. Father, help me to treasure the measure of faith that I have, so that I may continue to walk with you completely trusting and believing you every step of the way, In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments