What does faith cost?

In one sense, nothing, and in another everything.

As to it costing nothing, it's free. God gives you faith. God has given you a measure or a degree of faith. Rom 12 tells us this. Every man has been given a measure of faith. So, it's of no cost to anyone.

But, then, it does cost something, that is, in it's expression and in it's application.

What do we mean by this, that "it costs you something?

Three ways to define this cost.

Belief

Surrender

Sacrifice.

Belief in that, faith sees what the physical eye cannot see. Faith goes against what one might see going on in their lives. For example, when all seems against you, ( through circumstances and situations, ) yet, God calls you to have faith in Him. You can see your circumstances, but you cannot see God. Yet, you believe God, You believe God's Word. That is costly. It costs something to believe God when You cannot see Him.

Surrender. The giving up of my will to God's will. Not going my own way, not doing what I think is best, or right, but surrendering, submitting to what God says in His Word. It's the giving up of my will to His. Please make no mistake here, it's not a grief to surrender to God, and to His will, but it is costly. The price is your will, and your own wisdom or thinking and desires connected to that moment in your life.

Thirdly, it's sacrificial, it's going to cost something to believe God. You may be giving up something that you hold dear, a desire, a hope, a relationship, a job......perhaps, this sacrificial aspect of faith is the greatest cost of all.

Jesus is our great example in all things. Imagine what it cost Him to sacrifice His life for us. He gave up His life, and He gave up at least for a short period of time a relationship and fellowship with His father.

It's also true that we can never out-give the Lord. So, whatever you might give up in the will of God, you can be sure that God will give you more back then you have given up.

God is just like that. He is so gracious.

Sacrifice and tears, and heart-acke go together. But, the Bible tells us that while tears may endure through the night, joy comes in the morning.

So, with David, we bless the Lord. For He is good, and His goodness endures to all generations. It endures to us here today, and at this time. May the strength and power of God be yours in abundance at this time. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise

1. You do have faith.

2. You will have trials.

3. You will be brought through your trials.

4. You will pay a dear cost from time to time in your faith.

5. You will have tears, but you will have JOY also.

6. You will get through you difficult times.

7. You will find your faith deepening.

8. You will be used by God.

9. You will be praising God before you know it.