The Object of Your Faith

Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." – Acts 8:18-19.

For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? – 1 Cor 3:4-5

..holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. – 2 Tim 3:5

You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. – Gal 5:4

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Eph 2:8-9

I was at the Bible study yesterday and we were going through the book of Acts, chapter 8. While I was sharing what I learnt, this phrase the object of your faith struck me. As children of God what is the object of our faith? Bible talks about people and the objects of their faith. Simon, the sorcerer was looking for an external sign to restore his relationship with God (Acts 8:18-19). The people of the Corinth were worshipping men and built their faith upon mere names (1 Cor 3:4-5). Paul writes to Timothy about the people whose focus was on godliness and not the power or the source of it (2 Tim 3:5). The Pharisees looked for justification by the law and law alone (Gal 5:4). Many of us around the world have our faith centered on our own works (Eph 2:8-9).

So what is the object of your faith? Is it really necessary to give it a thought? I would say yes, not only for giving reason of your hope to others (1 Pet 3:15) but also to make sure we do not fall (1 Cor 10:12). If we have a clear picture and understanding on what the object of our faith is then it helps answer other questions like -What is my priority? Where is my focus? Who am I here on earth to please? What is my purpose?

Jesus Christ is the only object of our faith and everything else is secondary. “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Cor 3:11. “According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.” – 1 Cor 3:10.

It was a good time of retrospection for me because when I look back and dissect my life, I see that God has not always been the object of my faith. I encourage you my friends to look back and look into so that we know what the object of our faith is and will be in the future. Are external signs and wonders the objects of our faith? Are charismatic men of God the objects of our faith? Are different forms of our godliness the objects of our faith? Are our works or only the law the objects of our faith? Are our earthly possessions or worldly titles the objects of our faith?  Are our gifts and talents the objects of our faith?

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him – Heb 11:1,6

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Heb 12:1,2

God is good!

After a looong break, I am back! Life has been good with God on my side in all the series of events that unfolded of late. I will start of by updating you guys about my recent move to Samsung. Yes, I quit Cypress and moved to Samsung. It was wonderful to just watch and follow in the direction that God showed me. God was the story writer and director while I was the difficult but yet a sincere actor! When I knew not what was happening and why it was, I went about looking for answers around me only to prove my foolishness that I was not looking above for answers. When God opens a door for you, it cannot be shut and I simply could not shut that open door with the little strength I had.

Summer Tree(Camp) was a blessing. It was encouraging. There was so much of energy and freshness on every ones face. I was filled with amazement to think of God and the heavens rejoicing over one sinner repenting than over ninety nine who need no repentance. This was a lesson God taught me when I was studying in Pilani. Many a time I would get carried away by the numbers and end up being discouraged. When I saw that people would not turn up even after reminding them and found out some people who promised but would not show up and some who simply refused to accept the truth despite clear explanation, it would only make me feel bad and small. But God being a patient God corrected my thinking that numbers do not matter. My job is to just follow the direction while God who is the beginning and the end, is the ultimate script writer. His ways are beyond our ways and our understanding.

When I interacted with the students during the camp, I realized that each one had a story to tell, some encouraging, some sorrowful, some painful, some adventurous and some miraculous. There were some who came there with a earnest desire to grow closer to God, while some were there just to have fun, some because they were forced by their parents and some were desperately looking for answers to their pestering questions. When I stood there as a bridge and an instrument of God’s love, it brought me great joy to introduce Christ and share about the greatest gift I have ever received. I was humbled to see how God moved people out of their comfort zones and brought them to much more comfortable zones of everlasting and abundant life in Him!

The messages that came from God’s Word through the resource people were thought provoking and challenging to all of us. I pray and hope that all those new babes will be nurtured by His word and His children to eventually be molded as strong pillars for Christ.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”- Prov 3:5-6