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