Category Archives: Faith

Bible, Faith, Law, Powerless, Scripture

NULLIFY?

ROMANS 3:31

“Do we then nullify the Law through faith? Far from it! On the contrary, we establish the Law.”

I’ve told this story before, but it fits today’s verse so well. I had a little 4×4 pickup that I really loved. One afternoon as I was going into the woods to hunt, it died. One second it was running, and the next it was not. My truck got “nullified.” It was completely inoperative. I had to call a tow truck to haul it out of the woods and I wound up getting rid of the truck due to the expense of the repair which was more than the value of the truck.

Nullify is not a word we throw around a lot. The English word means to make void or cancel, but the Greek word translated in today’s verse as “nullify” has a much deeper meaning. The Greek word is katargéō “(from katá, ‘down to a point,’ intensifying argéō, ‘inactive, idle’) – properly, idle down, rendering something inert (“completely inoperative”); i.e. being of no effect (totally without force, completely brought down); done away with, cause to cease and therefore abolish; make invalid, abrogate (bring to nought); ‘to make idle or inactive’” (HELPS Word Studies). The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to use this specific word here, remember that.

APPLICATION

In 25 of the 27 times katargéō is used in the New Testament, Paul used it. He understood the power of this word. So, what is Paul saying to us today? He is telling us that even though we are justified by faith alone, the moral law given to us by God still guides our daily behaviors. We are not free to do as we want. We are free to do as we should.

In 1 Corinthians 13:11 Paul uses katargéō. “When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” The phrase “did away with” is our word. We had to turn from the childish things in order to mature. In Christ, we have matured in our faith to the point that we no longer rely on the law to guide us completely. We now have the Holy Spirit guiding us in faith.

Paul uses the word again in Galatians 5:4 where it is translated “have been severed.” “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace.” Paul is telling us here that if we persist in seeking our justification in what we can do, we have made our relationship with Christ powerless. That is not the way it works.

As followers of Christ, we still need to obey His commands to us which are based on the moral law. We are not required to keep the Mosaic law because Christ fulfilled that law when He died on the cross. Our job today is to obey Christ which goes far and above any requirements of the law. I’ll say it again – we are not free to do as we want, but we are free to do as we should.

O Lord, You have given me freedom through Christ and I will seek to honor You in all I do. 

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Faith, Justified, Salvation, Scripture, Works

BY FAITH

ROMANS 3:28

“For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”

As part of my role as Global Ministry Shepherd for Every Man A Warrior, I need to fly from time to time. I don’t mind flying, but I have to admit that it does not hold the same level of excitement it did years ago. One thing remains the same. I have to trust the pilots, flight crew and flight maintenance staff when I board that plane. When that plane takes off from the ground, climbing to over 30,000 feet, I have to place my faith in these people (whom I do not know) to keep me safe and bring me safely back to the earth.

In today’s verse, Paul makes it crystal clear that our salvation is strictly by faith and not in anything we do. He writes, “justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” Actually, the word “by” is not in the text exactly. “Faith” is in the dative case. I know that blessed you but hold on. One of the ways the dative case is used in Greek is to indicate the instrument or means by which an action is performed. In this case it is used to show how we are justified. Faith is the instrument of justification. Isn’t that cool?

APPLICATION

Immediately, I am reminded of Ephesians 2:8-9. “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Can I “get in the weeds” for a moment? In verse 8 “grace” is also in the dative case which means it is the instrument by which we are saved. So, is faith the instrument or grace the instrument? Both! It is because we place our trust in Jesus and accept Him as Lord of lives (faith) that we can receive the gift (grace) that saves us.

Hebrews chapter 11 is known as “The Hall of Faith.” The author of this letter describes various saints who lived “by faith.” Each time “by faith” is used in verses 3-11 it is in the dative case. Go read that chapter and read it this way – “through the instrument of faith.” That may help you put the focus on the right thing. It was not about the persons named in these verses. It was all about their faith.

I just love the old hymns. One of my favorites is “Have Faith in God.” I want to close today’s blog giving you the first stanza and chorus. This will also serve as my closing prayer today.

Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely
He sees and knows all the way you have trod
Never alone are the least of His children
Have faith in God, have faith in God

Chorus: Have faith in God, He’s on His throne
Have faith in God, He watches ‘oer his own
He cannot fail, He must prevail
Have faith in God, have faith in God

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Endurance, Faith, Perseverance, Scripture, Trust

PERSEVERE

ROMANS 2:7

“to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life;” 

Perseverance is definitely an admirable quality in a person. I have friends who have persevered under tremendous trials and conflicts. Some of those have been physical challenges with their health. Others have faced family issues that threatened to diminish their trust in God. But through it all, they have persevered. What does Paul mean by the use of that word in today’s verse?

Paul uses the Greek word hypomonē which “conveys steadfast endurance that clings to God in the face of pressure. More than passive waiting, it is active, faith-filled perseverance that refuses to abandon obedience or hope. While English versions alternately render the term ‘endurance,’ ‘perseverance,’ or ‘patience,’ its essence is a Spirit-empowered tenacity that remains under trial until God’s purpose is fulfilled.” (Topical Lexicon). Perseverance without a God motivation is just stubbornness (that we discussed in verse 5).

APPLICATION

Hypomonē is used by Jesus in the Parable of the Sower to describe the seed in the good soil. In Luke 8:15 He says, “‘But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word with a good and virtuous heart, and hold it firmly, and produce fruit with perseverance.’” Even good soil can be challenging. Weeds can spring up that need pulling. Water is needed to help the seed germinate and grow. Fruit production takes perseverance.

We see hypomonē also in 2 Corinthians 6:4 where it is translated as “endurance.” Read verses 1-10 to get a full picture of what Paul is sharing here. But verse 4 says, “but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,” As leaders in our churches, we are expected to exemplify hypomonē as others are observing our actions.

I love how Peter uses hypomonē in his building list of characters in 2 Peter 1:5-8. It is worth sharing here. “5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So, examine where you are on a scale of 1 to 10 in regard to your perseverance in the faith. God is not asking you to do this alone. He is right there with you. Step out and trust Him. 

O Lord, help me persevere when I see no light because I know You are the only light I need.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Faith, Righteousness, Scripture, Trust

FROM FAITH TO FAITH

ROMANS 1:17

“For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: ‘BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.’”

I begin a lot of my devotional blogs asking you a question. Today is no exception. The question – What do you have faith in? We place our faith in a lot of things and people. Some people have faith in the government – not too wise. Others place their faith in a person (husband, wife, employer, etc.) – again, not too wise. There is really only one reliable place to place our faith. That is in God, the Father. Paul explains that in today’s verse.

Our righteousness comes as we place our faith in Christ. That’s what Paul is saying. The phrase “faith to faith” really refers to the journey of faith we experience as believers. Matthew Poole says, “The gospel reveals the righteousness of God to be from faith to faith. The beginning, the continuance, the accomplishment of our justification is wholly absolved by faith.” Our faith is developed over time. We get initial faith at salvation, and it continues to grow with each passing day, week, and year until we see our faith fulfilled in glory.

APPLICATION

My late brother-in-law, Dr. Wayne Barber, said today’s verse was the key verse in the whole book of Romans. Why? Because faith is the key to the Christian life. And our righteousness comes through placing our faith in the One who died for us. The quote in today’s verse, “But the righteous man shall live by faith,” comes from Habakkuk 2:4. I know, you probably don’t read Habakkuk very often, but you should. Awesome book!

You could literally translate “from faith to faith” as “out of faith and into faith.” That is how God’s righteousness is revealed. It is revealed out of our faith in Him and also in our continued faith in Him. The bottom line – our righteousness depends on our faith, and our faith depends on God’s righteousness. They are intertwined.

This week as you place your faith in things, place it in Jesus. Let Him be the One who guides your every step. Let Jesus show you where to place your trust. Faith in Jesus is a gift. Ephesians 2:8-9 expresses this perfectly. “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Accept the gift that keeps on giving!

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of faith. Help me continue to grow in my faith as I trust You daily.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Faith, God's Will, Obedience, Scripture

THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH

ROMANS 1:5

“through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles in behalf of His name,”

The ultimate witness of the love a child has for their parents is their willingness to obey. Obedience shows their faith in what their parents are teaching them. They may not always agree with their parents, but they obey them because they love them. Chances are somewhere down the road they will realize their parents only want what is best for them. I realize not all children have great parents. In fact, some have really bad parents. In that case, they must obey God the Father and trust that He has a plan for their lives to make things better.

Paul uses a phrase in today’s verse which caused me to take pause. What did he mean by “obedience of faith”? Scholars vary in their interpretation of this phrase, but all would agree that real faith is not present unless there also exists obedience. Paul uses the same phrase again in Romans 16:26. Paul knew real faith required obedience. Just take a look at his own journey of faith. That really required obedience on his part to believe and trust God to sustain him through shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonments and even a stoning. Obedience of faith was more than just a nice sounding phrase for Paul. It was his walk.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you to think about moments in your life when you had to step out on faith and obey. I can recall several times in my ministry when God was calling my wife and I to do something that didn’t make a lot of sense. We moved several times in our ministry. I truly believe each and every time we moved, God was directing us. Some of those moves were hard, but we went believing He was directing us and was requiring obedience.

The Greek word for “obedience” is hupakoé and literally means submission to what is heard. True obedience requires more than just hearing God’s voice. It requires doing what He says. I think about Jesus in the garden right before He was betrayed. Do you remember His prayer? He prayed if there was another way for the Father to accomplish His Will. He didn’t want to suffer and die an agonizing death of a cross. Who wants that?! But He knew the choice was clear. Only His obedience on that cross would pave the way for mankind’s redemption.

Are you struggling with a decision right now regarding something you know the Lord is telling you to do? Join the club. We’ve all been there. But, if you want to show the “obedience of faith” to the Faithful One, yield your will to His. Submit to what you have heard Him say to you. Trust He is able to see you through, in this life or the one to come.

O Lord, sometimes it is hard to obey when I want my way. Crucify my flesh today and help me yield my will to Your Will.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Faith, Journey, Obedience, Scripture

WORK IT OUT

PHILIPPIANS 2:12

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;”

You may have heard the joke about the person who was caught in rising waters from a flood. As the waters rose, a guy came by in a 4×4 truck and offered to rescue him, but he said he would trust God to rescue him. The waters continued to rise and now a man came by in a boat. Still the man said he would trust in God. Finally, as he was perched on his rooftop, a helicopter came by and lowered a rope, but the man was adamant that he would trust God for his rescue. Unfortunately, the man died. When he gets to heaven he asked the Lord, “Why didn’t you rescue me?” The Lord replied, “I sent you a truck, a boat and a helicopter. You just had to get in.”

Today’s verse is like that. God has sent us the means of salvation – Jesus Christ. But we still have to “get in.” We have to choose to accept this free gift and to do our part in growing in our new faith. God will not spoon feed you. He expects you to go to the Word and feed yourself. That doesn’t mean you will have all the answers. But you have to make the effort to grow. The Topical Lexicon says, “believers are exhorted to ‘work out’ their salvation with fear and trembling. This usage highlights the responsibility of Christians to actively engage in their spiritual growth and maturity, relying on God’s enabling power.”

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated “work out” is katergazomai which is also used in Ephesians 6:13 where it says, “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Here it is translated “having done.” This verb is a Middle Voice verb which means you do this. It is not done to you. You must “work out” or do this.

The same word is used in James 1:3 where James says your “faith produces endurance.” There’s an action to it. You’re not like that man in the flood just waiting. Our faith requires action. James said it best when he said that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). As you “work out” your faith, your faith grows. God gives you more and more faith as you partner with Him in your spiritual growth.

Too many Christians come to Christ for fire insurance. They just want a “get out of hell free card.” That is not what the Christian life is about. It’s a journey. It’s a process. It doesn’t start and end with your conversion. That is just the beginning. I have been a believer for almost 48 years now and I am still growing. I will not “arrive” until I breath my last. Are you working out today?

Thank You, Father, for giving me the tools to spur my growth and teach me more and more about You.

Standard
Bible, Faith, Influence, Prison, Scripture, Witnessing

UNEXPECTED INFLUENCE

PHILIPPIANS 1:13

“so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else,” 

Has anyone ever come up to you and said, “You probably don’t remember me, but you made such an impact on my life when…”? That’s happened to me a couple of times. I am always humbled and usually surprised. My favorite story is of a teen I had in a church in South Georgia while I was home from college one summer. He rarely came and often sat in the back of the group. To my surprise, God called that young man to the ministry. I had an unexpected influence in that man’s life that summer.

So, here is Paul in prison in Rome surrounded by Roman soldiers. But God gives him influence in their lives through the knowledge of why he was imprisoned and his attitude while he was there. We know from history that there were many Christian Roman soldiers. Perhaps Paul was the initial influencer of that while he was in prison. It’s just a reminder that God can use you no matter where you are – in prison or not.

APPLICATION

The Greek word used by Paul here for “well known” is phaneros, which comes from phaino (to shine). This reminds me of Matthew 5:16 where we see Christ saying, “‘Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’” Paul was letting his light shine there in that Roman prison as he testified to why he was there and what Christ had done.

Now, don’t think this Roman praetorian guard was easy pickings. They were a tough bunch. These men were often used as the personal bodyguards of the emperor. They had more privileges than the normal Romans soldier, served fewer years and received a higher pay. These were an elite fighting force and the only ones allowed to carry a sword in the presence of the emperor. So, don’t think God will only give you easy audiences with whom to share your faith.

Paul was willing to be imprisoned for his faith and then looked for ways to continue sharing it, even if it meant sharing it with those who imprisoned him. Do you remember when the Philippian church was established? Paul was in a Philippian jail and led the jailer and his family to Christ. I bet the church got a real kick out of reading how God was using Paul now in a Roman prison. You just never know who God will allow you to influence.

Father, place unexpected people in my path so that You can influence them through me.

Standard
Accountability, Bible, Encouragement, Faith, Gossip, Scripture

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT…?

COLOSSIANS 1:4

“since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;” 

The old kudzu vine spreads rumors and gossip faster than a bird after a June bug. How’s that for a Southern expression, lol. Do you know what kudzu is? It is a plant that was originally brought into the U.S. to help control erosion. It quickly took off and now covers a lot of the landscape in the South. It can completely bury a structure and climb and eventually kill a tree. It reportedly can grow up to four inches a day in the right conditions. But it bears no fruit. It only destroys. Gossip can spread just as fast.

Paul wasn’t talking about the kudzu vine (or the grape vine, if you prefer that expression). He had sent Epaphras there to bring back news of how they were progressing in their faith. In verses 7-8 (which we will look at in a few days), we see this. “7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.” What a great report!

APPLICATION

How do you talk about fellow believers? Do you share how well they are doing in their walk with Jesus, or do you share rumors of how they have messed up? Scripture is pretty clear about not spreading rumors. In 2 Corinthians 12:20, Paul rebukes the Corinthian church against this. “For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.”

Not only there but look at Proverbs 11:13 (NIV). “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Also in Proverbs 18:8, we read, “The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.” So, it is clear that when we talk about others, it should not be hurtful or harmful words. We are to build each other up, like Epaphras did the Colossae believers.

Hold your tongue and do not sin, just like Job did in Job 2:10. Even though he was going through severe persecution, it says he did not sin with his lips. Can you do the same? If you don’t have something good to say, don’t say anything at all. We’ve all been told that a time or two, haven’t we? Give good reports!

Father, guard my mouth and help me to speak only good of my fellow believers.

Standard
Bible, Faith, Faithfulness, Scripture, Trustworthy

FAITHFUL

COLOSSIANS 1:2

To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

What does it mean to be “faithful”? In marriage it means to not cheat on your spouse with someone else. It means to stay by their side no matter what may happen. At work it may mean to stay with your employer through hard times knowing all they have done for you in the past. So, being faithful can have a lot of meanings.

What did Paul mean here in verse 2 of Colossians 1? What made these brothers and sisters faithful? Notice that Paul does not address this epistle to the church. He addressed it to individuals, probably those whom he knew firsthand. They had proven themselves faithful against the pagan influences of their day. They were loyal to Christ despite the evil all around them. It is to them that Paul writes.

APPLICATION

Throughout Scripture, believers are called faithful and are called to their faith. Here’s another question for you. Do you think others would consider you faithful? Hmmm! That may take some pondering on your part. We see over in Titus 1:6 that an elder should be “faithful to his wife.” That makes sense, right?

Gill’s Exposition of the Bible describes these “faithful” believers this way. “true and sincere believers in Christ, constant and persevering in the faith of him; faithful to the Gospel, and their profession of it, and to Christ, whose name they bore, and to one another, to whom they stood in the relation of brethren…” Looking at that description, could that be said about you?

We should all strive to be faithful to Jesus in all things. There’s no doubt about that. But if you fall, if you sin, does that make you unfaithful. I think not. We are to try to be like Jesus, even though we will never be just like Him. He knows us all too well and loves us anyway. Aren’t you glad? So, go out today and be faithful.

Father, give me faith to move mountains but also faith in the little things.

Standard
Bible, Defense, Devil, Faith, Protection, Satan, Scripture

OUR FORCE SHIELD

EPHESIANS 6:16

“in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” 

I grew up a Star Trek fan. I mean, come on, what child in the 60’s wasn’t! Each week we would tune in to see what other alien race Captain Kirk, Spok, Scottie and Bones would be battling. The Star Trek Enterprise was equipped with a protective force field which could be used to protect it against the missiles fired from enemy spaceships. Those missiles would bounce off or explode on impact. What a great defense!

As Christians, we have our own force shield called the “shield of faith.” This shield is standard equipped given to each believer at salvation. Unfortunately, too many of us literally let our guard down. Paul tells us why this is dangerous. He says with that shield we “will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” We should never “leave home without it.” Right? Those flaming arrows can come at any time.

APPLICATION

MacLaren’s Expositions talk about these “flaming arrows” and why they are so dangerous to the unshielded believer. “But there are things in us all to which the fiery darts do especially appeal: desires, appetites, passions; or-to use the word which refined people are so afraid of, although the Bible is not, ‘lusts-which war against the soul,’ and which need only a touch of fire to flare up like a tar-barrel, in thick foul smoke darkening the heavens. There are fiery darts that strike these animal natures of ours, and set them all aflame. But, there are other fiery darts than these. There are plenty of other desires in us: wishes, cowardices, weaknesses of all sorts, that, once touched with the devil’s dart, will burn fiercely enough. We all know that.”

Do you have any of those things within your heart? We all have some weakness which we have probably revealed to the evil one. That’s his target. That’s his bullseye. Our defense, however, is our shield of faith. Our faith in Jesus, in His shed blood, quenches any flaming arrow fired against us. We hold that shield up to protect us from this relentless adversary.

And, unlike the Starship Enterprise, our shield is everlasting. It is stronger than any foe. Why? Is it because of our faith? No, it is because of the Faith Giver. He gives us His never ending supply of faith. Paul said it well when he said in Romans 1:17, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: ‘BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH.’”

Father God, thank You for giving me the shield of faith to protect myself from the devil’s flaming arrows and accusations.

Standard