Your Faith Grows Exceedingly Knowing The Earnest Of Our Faith; Unto The Praise Of His Glory - Part 2309

"Who hath wrought and done [it], calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I [AM] He." (Isaiah 41:4)

"For the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works ... these things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." (Titus 2:11-15)

Indeed, Paul, Silvanus and Timotheus (in one accord) take this perspective further when writing to the church of the Thessalonians -- so that we do not lose sight of our election of God.

"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention to you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of God and our Father, knowing brethren beloved, your election of God." (I Thessalonians 1:1-4)

As we who believe in Jesus -- as both Lord and Christ -- grow in our faith, we are to become ensamples to others that believe. Without ceasing in our work of faith, and labour of love to others. In fact, we are to strive to reach His standard, becoming like the seven chosen to be table servants, men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. (Acts 6:3-4) This means in our faith journey, we are to press in closer to the mark which is Christ Jesus, loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and from His love intentionally loving and caring for one another. (Mark 12:29-31; Deuteronomy 6:4)

But in order of strive toward this higher calling, the eyes of our understanding has to be enlightened, wherein we too desire to give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word. (Acts 1:14; Acts 6:4) How does this happen? By knowing what is the hope of His calling! By understanding the greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power. By studying the scriptures for His truth, so that we are sanctified. (John 17:17) Yes, we need to be faithful in all things so "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, [will] give unto [us] the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him." (Ephesians 1:17-19)

It is herein that our faith is often derailed, because instead of pressing into Jesus with our very being, our faith either becomes stagnant, or we are overtaken by the cares of this world. Sadly, we begin to lose sight of the One and Only Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ who willingly laid everything on the line for you and I, including shedding His own precious, holy blood so that we might have abundant and everlasting life in Him. But this needs to stop. We need to understand that the Lord Jesus has given each and every one of us a purpose -- as a chosen people, a royal generation, victorious in all things. He has set the table for the wedding feast -- that will signify the beginning of everlasting life -- when the Bridegroom brings to Himself the Bride of Christ -- His Church.

This is why today is the day of salvation! For the time has come (and now is) for the body of Christ church to rise up and take hold of the scriptures -- the infallible Word of God -- the One and Only blessed Potentate dwelling within our very essence. This is the time to enter into the one accord and labour of love that was evident on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:36-47) 

And, to remember as well that "we are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith grows exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other abounds; so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: [which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of [His] goodness, and the work of faith with power: that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (II Thessalonians 1:1-12)

Admire the Lord Jesus today, and let your testimony shine in your labour of love for one another. Stand in the offering plate.