What does faith cost?

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.

What comes from above?

James mentions two of them in his brief five chapter letter. And, there actually is mention of a third.

First of all, we are told in James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. The Lord gives from above, His good and perfect gifts. The word good, means that which is of benefit, and or simply good things. So, that's the first thing. Rather then God tempting us to sin ( as some were apparently thinking and saying ......see James 1:13 ) James declares that God gives us good gifts. These gifts come from above.

By the way, the spiritual gifts of God are listed all through the New Testament. You can find a detailed list of them in 1st Cor 12, Eph 4, and 1st Peter 4.

These gifts are given to us to benefit the body of Christ, to build up the body of Christ, and we are to use them to serve the Lord. Incidentally, these gifts are not natural abilities, but rather supernatural abilities given to us by the Holy Spirit. Again, see 1st Cor 12.

Secondly, and seen in James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

God gives wisdom from above. He tells us how to live and, shows us how to approach the practical day to day issues and circumstances and challenges of life. God helps us by giving us His wisdom. The wisdom that is from above is explained to us, and defined in great detail in James 3:13-18.

There are eight specifics given to us about this wisdom.

1. God's wisdom is pure.

2. God's wisdom is peaceable.

3. God's wisdom is gentle.

4. God's wisdom is willing to yield.

5. God's wisdom is full of mercy.

6. God's wisdom is full of good fruits.

7. God's wisdom is without partiality.

8. God's wisdom is without hypocrisy.

Finally, in closing off this section about God's wisdom, James tells us that "the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" See James 3:18.

And, that last and third thing that comes down from above.....it is a specific that the Lord gave to Elijah the prophet when he prayed. We are told "the heaven gave rain" , and as a result, the earth produced it's fruit. James 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

But, I think there is a lesson for us here. God is able to give good gifts into your life, good and perfect gifts, and, He is able to give you wisdom. And, when the Lord gives these things into your life, your life produces fruit. Just like the earth produced fruit in Elijah's day.

When we look up so to speak, we are looking through Christ, into the heart and face of God. He has a good intention for you. He gives good things to you. He has good thoughts towards you, not evil thoughts. He has plans for your life that He wants to bring about. He wants you to be fruitful. He will make you that way.

Would you pray with me right now? Father, You are good, and You give good gifts, You give perfect gifts, and You give heavenly, Divine wisdom. Thank You for what You give to us. You want to bring fruit in our lives. Thank You for Your plan for us. May You find us receptive and cooperative with you. We love You, in Jesus name. Amen.....

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. Keep looking to God.

2. He is looking at you.

3. Remember, He loves you.

4. Don't be mistaken, He has a good intention for you.

5. The Bible teaches us all of the above.

6. We have examples of how God works in the Bible.

7. God does not change.

8. God is with you in Christ.

9. May God bless you abundantly.