THE POWER OF FAITH

By Bob Myhan

In Romans 10:14-17, the apostle Paul wrote:

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

We learn from this passage that one can­not call on someone in whom he does not believe, one cannot believe in some­one of whom he has not heard, one cannot hear without a preacher and a preacher cannot preach without being sent. Paul also tells us that not all those who heard the word have “obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our report?” Not all have obeyed because not all have believed.

Many people think salvation is “by faith only” as if one could sim­ply “believe himself saved” like wishing on a star. But “salvation by faith” involves more than the mere belief that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”

Cer­tainly, one who truly believes this will obey the gospel, but some are hindered in obeying the gospel by being told that this would be salvation by works. Thus, they are convinced that all they have to do is believe, and that God will do the rest.

While we are not saved, or justified, by works of hu­man merit, by works of the Law of Moses or by any works “alone,” Paul did tell the Gala­tians,

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love (Gal. 5:6).

And James tells us Abra­ham was “justified by works, when he of­fered Isaac his son on the altar” (James 2:21). Thus, we see that “the power of faith” is obedience. &

WHERE ARE YOU?

By Mike Thomas

Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"

Where are you when we need you at church; When we gather for worship in spirit and truth?

Where are you when we need your help singing; When we offer up praise as our hearts join as one?

Where are you when we pray for those who are suffering; When your brethren need help as we petition our God?

Where are you when the Lord's death is remembered; When we see His broken body and taste the forgiveness in blood?

Where are you when we rightly divide the word of God; When the teacher and stu­dents need your input and support?

Where are you when we lay by in store on the first day of the week; When the money you spend on pleasure could help Christ's kingdom replete?

Where are you when we care for the needy; When those who are in trouble could use your succor and strength?

Where are you when a soul needs the en­couragement to obey God's word; When an­other man's son or another woman's daughter could become a child of God?

Where are you when we need you at home to care for your family; When those in need of your attention are neglected for your selfish pursuits?

Where are you, Adam, and why are you hiding? What have you done that keeps you away? Is this the condition you want to be found in when the Lord calls for us on Judg­ment Day? &

BEING A FRIEND OF GOD

By Randy Cavender

One of the greatest privileges of life is to have friends. The Bible teaches, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24). But what an honor it is to be a friend of God!

Some believe it not possible, but the scriptures teach otherwise. Abraham was a friend of God (James 2:21-24). Further­more, we can also be friends with God. But how? Well, if we had the same character as Abraham, would we not be friends with God also? What made Abraham God's friend?

The first thing I think concerning Abraham was his great faith. The Hebrew writer says of Abraham: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an in­heritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a foreign coun­try, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:8-10). Furthermore, the apostle Paul said of Abraham, "And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, al­ready dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform" (Rom. 4:19-21). How does your faith compare to Abra­ham's? Do you waver at the promises of God? Let us: “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God" (Heb. 3:12).

The Bible teaches that Abraham was prompt in his obedience. Abraham was not saved by faith alone. In fact, the Bible says, "By faith Abraham obeyed. . . ." When God commanded Abraham to leave his home­land, he did so without delay (Gen. 12:1-4). When God instructed him to offer his only son Isaac, the very next morning Abraham proceeded to do exactly what God said. All too often we find ourselves almost having to be begged to obey God's command­ments. In the book of Acts, those who de­sired to obey the gospel did so without de­lay. They did not claim to "receive Christ" yet delay baptism until the next week (Acts 8:36-39; 16:25-34)! As children of God, we are to continue to be obedient! Yet, we want to put it off. "I'll wait until it is convenient for me!" is the attitude of some who profess to be Christians. If you want to be a friend of God, obey the commandments of God immedi­ately!

Finally, Abraham was concerned about worshipping God (Gen. 12:7,8; 13:3-4,18) God did not have to push Abraham to wor­ship Him. It was Abraham's desire! It has been said, "If absence makes the heart grow fonder, then some really love the church." There are some who will come to church and sit about an hour, and think that they are pleasing God. These people main­tain that they are faithful Christians. What a joke! God seeks our worship! He desires that we worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). But we should desire to wor­ship God also, just as Abraham. How con­cerned are you about worshipping God?

Could it be said of you that you are a friend of God? If not, why don't you obey the com­mandments of God and be His friend (Jn. 15:14)? &