“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6)
Do you have something you believe in, or something you stand by? Usually, you would stand by what you know or what you believe to be true, and you usually would stand by your conviction. Here, our interest is standing by the faith you believe in; standing for that which you profess.
Beliefs, defined as what people have faith in, are greatly diverse among people. Our life is such that people have various beliefs and what they have faith in. But many times, what a person believes in isn’t visible or represented physically.
Very often, we only get to know and confirm what a person believes in by the words they express and especially by their action. Even these may fail because a person may express words or take actions contrary to what they claim they believe.
In an earlier article, we shared the definition of faith as a complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Faith is a strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6)
Standing by one’s faith is not something to be contested or argued over. You are either doing so or merely professing different and living something different. What you stand by is that which is visible from your actual living.
For a follower of Christ, the actual living is as expressed in Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Many of us are far from practicing the true tenets of what we profess. In the least we are half-baked or even little baked as regards the things we claim to believe or should stand for.
A Radical Following
For example, standing by one’s faith as a true follower of Christ requires so much death to self, and a constant death to one’s pride and ego, use of the tongue in ways that do not glorify God, a complete death but life in Christ. The demands that the true Christian life makes of us is much more than we can understand, or even believe, accept, or admit, except the Holy Spirit enables us to comprehend it and follow accordingly.
As Galatians 5:24-25 says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
Very often, our followership of Christ is characterized by compromises here and there, and the Christian faith is lived out in ways that seems comfortable and convenient.
Whereas, a radical following of Christ, as laid out in the scriptures is one that a Christian cannot live just by depending on one’s goodwill, intelligence, power, merit, might, or abilities, but through God’s grace and through the loving mercy of God – God’s mercies which endures forever.
“He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning” (Titus 3:5).
In learning to stand by our Christian faith, we often need to have recourse to God’s steadfast Mercy. For, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end” Lamentations 3:22. “And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50).
Our faith must be firm and immovable. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you” (John 14:26).
It is only with the help, strength, and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and immersing ourselves in God’s mercy that we can truly stand by our faith with all diligence and self-surrender to all that the Christian faith calls us to become in Christ.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I allow the Holy Spirit to possess my life and teach me to walk in your ways so that I may stand firmly by the faith I profess, in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord, I believe. Help the little faith I have.
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