The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is now studying the heroes of faith found in the Bible. In Hebrews 11, we find a remarkable chapter that introduces us to a cloud of witnesses, individuals who exemplified extraordinary faith. However our study will go beyond Hebrews 11 and include the lives of others that are examples of the blessings of having faith in God. We will also talk about other people that exhibited extraordinary faith, some of them are people we may know.
The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada. He has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.
Faith is more than rule-keeping or sin-management. Faith is an abiding relationship with the one who created us and redeemed us. Unless we abide with the Lord in a transformed relationship, we fail to live within the covenant that God establishes.
Here are three things to consider about the life of faith.
Faith is more internal than external.
Starting in the Old Testament, God continually calls God’s people into a standard of relationship. This relationship is called a covenant, and it is established with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and Jeremiah. Yet, as good as the covenant was, Israel continually misconstrued it into a mere list of do’s and don’ts. The covenant, inscribed on stone tablets, became a mere end in itself.
For this reason, although Israel would abide by the letter of the law, they would continually fail to live out the relational heart of the covenant. Take, for example, the law concerning the Sabbath.
Exodus 20:8-10 NIV [8] “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. [9] Six days you shall labor and do all your work, [10] but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.
In obeying the sabbath restriction, diligently stepping away from all work, Israel made other people work for them. They exploited their workers and the aliens in the land under the rhetoric of spiritual obligation. Thus, the prophet Isaiah challenges the people: “On the day of fasting (sabbath), you do as you please, and exploit your workers”. The good and perfect law, established by God, became twisted into a system of rule-keeping.
Isaiah 58:3-7 NIV [3] ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’ “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. [4] Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. [5] Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? [6] “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
While we can live great, moral, and upright lives by obeying the rules, we miss out on the full dynamic of a life with God. This is because God desires a heartfelt relationship more than just a system of obligation. “I will be their God, and they will be my people,” God announces. So deep and intertwined is God in our lives that it’s like God etches God’s voice upon our hearts, and our lives become lived in tandem with God.
Jeremiah 31:33-34 NIV [33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [34] No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
This is why Jesus continually pointed to the inner life, over and above the simple external commandments. Instead of the commandment calling people to “not murder,” Jesus said, “Whoever is angry at a brother or sister will be subject to judgment”. Jesus took the external commandments and reinterpreted them to speak to the matter of our heartfelt relationship with God. Before we consider what we might “do” for God, we must ask ourselves whether we are in the right relationship with God.
Faith is rooted in grace.
Our relationship with God is rooted in grace. Without grace, our faith becomes transactional insofar as we receive blessings and goodness because of what we do. If we do more, we receive more, we believe. Many people believe this. Yet scripture continually rejects this notion. Paul writes, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace reminds us that our relationship with God exists because of God’s activity rather than any work of our own. We never earn our place with God.
God’s grace is fully revealed in the life, ministry, and death of Jesus. When Jesus announced on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30), he was speaking about the fulfillment of all the Law’s commandments and obligations. Jesus accomplishes all that needs to be accomplished for salvation, thereby releasing us from the law’s demands. His resurrection assures us that Jesus has done for us what we could never do ourselves. The author of Hebrews describes that when Jesus “had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12). This “sitting down” signifies that nothing more needs to be accomplished. All is complete.
Grace brings the accomplishments of Jesus into our lives as a gift. Instead of working towards our salvation, faith calls us to accept the work done for us on the cross. Without an acceptance of grace, the Christian faith is impossible, for it fundamentally rejects the cruciform work of Christ.
Faith leads to a transformed life
Faith is more internal than external; it exists in the heart and soul rather than in the blind execution of action. Faith unites us with Jesus’ work.
But does this mean that what we do or how we live matters not? Do grace and forgiveness mean that I can just do what I want when I want and however I want? Absolutely not!
Scripture holds a delicate balance between faith and works. Faith is not contrary to work or effort. Christian faith, rooted in grace, testifies that we don’t earn our salvation. We can never climb the heights of spiritual exaltedness by any work of the flesh. Yet, we are called to live out our faith in action. James writes, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). Our actions testify to the God we worship and follow. Without faithful deeds, evidenced in our lives, our faith is naturally drawn into question.
This is why the biggest witness to the truth of the gospel is a transformed life. Jesus called us to a radically new way of life, one that directly contradicts the ways of the world. We “love [our] enemies and pray for those who persecute [us]” (Matthew 5:44). Instead of acting in retribution or retaliation, we bless those who act against us. We turn the other cheek and seek forgiveness over revenge.
The early witness of the gospel was the transformed lives of the disciples. “See how they love each other,” was the observation. This is the life that we, as followers of Christ, are called to live. Jesus calls us to transform our lives in today’s world. It is in our transformed lives that we bear the image of Christ.
So where is Jesus asking your life to be transformed? How might you live out your inward relationship with Jesus? How can your transformation, by grace, be evidenced in your life as the natural response to the love of Christ? After all, this is the way of faith.
Exploring the Faith of King David
King David, a shepherd boy who became Israel's greatest king, is a complex figure. He was a warrior, a poet, a musician, and a leader, yet he was also a man who sinned deeply. But above all these, David was known as "a man after God’s own heart"
1 Samuel 13:13-14 NIV[13] “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. [14] But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
We are going to explore David's faith, examining how it shaped his life and how we can learn from his example.
King David, the second king of Israel, is one of the most iconic figures in the Bible. He is known for his bravery, leadership, and most importantly, his faith. Despite his flaws and mistakes, David's trust in God and his commitment to following Him are exemplary. In this study, we will explore David's life and highlight key moments that demonstrate his faith.
Faith in the Face of Adversity
David's journey begins with his anointing as king by the prophet Samuel.
1 Samuel 16:11-13 NIV [11] So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he rrives.” [12] So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” [13] So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
Though anointed king by Samuel as a youth, likely a teenager, David endured years of hardship before finally ascending the throne.
Instead, he faces numerous challenges, including the giant Goliath. We see David's faith in action as he confronts the giant. He says, "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37).
Trusting in God's Providence
David's faith is not limited to times of crisis. He also trusts in God's providence, even when things seem uncertain. In Psalm 23, David writes, "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul" . This psalm demonstrates David's confidence in God's guidance and provision.
Faith and Humility
David's faith is also marked by humility. When he is confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sin with Bathsheba, David repents and acknowledges his wrongdoing.
2 Samuel 12:13 NIV Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.
He writes his heartfelt desire for mercy and forgiveness
Psalms 51:1-19 NIV [1] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. [2] Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. [3] For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. [5] Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. [6] Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. [7] Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. [8] Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. [9] Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. [10] Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. [11] Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. [13] Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. [14] Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. [15] Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. [16] You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. [17] My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. [18] May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. [19] Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
David's humility and willingness to acknowledge his sin demonstrate his faith in God's mercy and forgiveness.
Conclusion
King David's life is a testament to the power of faith. Despite his flaws and mistakes, he consistently trusts in God and seeks to follow Him. As we reflect on David's life, we are reminded of the importance of faith in our own lives. May we, like David, trust in God's providence, humility, and mercy, and may our faith be a source of strength and inspiration to others.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the example of King David's faith. Help us to trust in your providence, to humble ourselves before you, and to seek your mercy and forgiveness. May our faith be a source of strength and inspiration to others, and may we always seek to follow you. Amen.
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