Center Church of Christ

We are living in troubled times. People in our nation are on the verge of Panic. Yet, we need to take a step back and remember that faith is a common denominator in all of our lives. On a daily basis, every person living on the top side of God's green earth expresses faith in something. In fact, we cannot live a single day without exercising faith.

We have faith in the physical world. When you woke up this morning and went into the bathroom, you flipped a light switch and you had faith that it would work. When you get in your car, you have faith that it will start. When you mail a letter, you have faith the postal system will get it to the right address (that's REAL faith). When you go to the pharmacy, you have faith that the pharmacist will give you the right drugs. Every time you walk into a building, you are expressing faith in the architect who designed the building and the workers who built the structure. Every time you walk into an elevator in a high rise building, you are expressing faith in the low bidder on the construction project.

In his first epistle, John writes of victory in overcoming the world. The world to which he refers are those things in the world, those thing that would separate us from God. He in fact lists them in I John 2:15-17 as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. The same ways Eve was tempted and Jesus was tempted.

These three things can be summarized in one word. Sin. There are however other things that hinder our relationship with God. Things such as anxiety, boredom, depression and despair. There are also thins such as discontentment, fear, grief, and loneliness. Yet, no matter what might hinder our relationship with God, there is a remedy and there can be victory. This victory comes to those who believe Jesus is the Son of God. You see, Faith, is the victory.

Generally speaking, what is faith? It is the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true. It carries with it the primary idea of trust. It is a strong conviction or trust in something.

Faith in Jesus is a strong conviction of trust in Jesus. We trust who Jesus is, we trust He is what He claims, we trust that He is truly the son of the Living God.

Faith is also the strong belief in what Jesus did and his doing. It is the belief that He died on the cross. It is the belief that his death is a sufficient sacrifice. It is the belief that He intercedes for us in heaven.

This faith is a constantly developing aspect of our lives as Christians. Faith you see, comes from evidence. Our faith is not just a "blind faith". There are often solid reasons for believing in what you cannot see. In spite of what my sons think, I never really saw George Washington, but I believe in him and I believe that he existed. We believe in who our parents are, but we weren't really aware of what was going on the day that we were born.

Faith in Jesus that leads to victory must come from the word of God. The reason so many do not live victorious lives is a lack of faith. They have a weak faith as a result of failing to read and study the word of God. My friends, faith in Jesus gives us the victory in overcoming the world. Faith in God, gives us the victory over fear and circumstances. Yet, for you faith to be a victorious faith, we must spend time letting God speak to us through His word. Spend time in prayer and study of the word of God, deepen your faith, because Faith, is the victory!