THE CHRISTIAN BATTLE OF FAITH AND GOOD CONSCIENCE

Deep in the heart and mind of Every Christian, there should be a question that must be answered. This question, and the answer to it will truly DEFINE WHO WE ARE AND THE IDENTITY WE MUST SEE IN OURSELVES. It is simple, but Oh So Profound. DO I TRUST GOD ? The answer to this question will propel each one of us to our Identity, Path, and Purpose. I will also express that I Have Learned that ONE of the major keys to getting to this point of Trust is something that one must also do, and it is not always easy. SURRENDER ! Simply put, to surrender oneself to GOD’S WILL, and His Rulership. Alas, here comes another pointed choice. OBEDIENCE ! When one truly understands the connection of Trust, Surrender, and Obedience, it allows us to Finally Begin To Truly ABIDE IN HIM ! The truth is that in many ways, Life and Faith are a battle. Every Christian must open their eyes to the fact that there are “Adversaries” in our lives that WE MUST BATTLE, and they all come from one single source…Satan. It is important to understand that “satan” is not simply a mythical construct. Satan is a Fallen Angel; an adversary of God and His Kingdom; an enemy looking to destroy; willing to lie, cheat, and steal Our Very Souls ! A Darkness that will kill and devour All We Are. Doubt this TRUTH at your own peril, for in your doubt or scoffing, satan will not stop seeking your Destruction. This is what I am describing as THE CHRISTIAN BATTLE ! A willingness to consider this TRUTH will also bring on the adversaries of “Self” and “Culture”. Satan is a supernatural being, but He has NO POWER over those who have chosen GOD AS THEIR SAVIOR, LORD AND KING. It is “critical” however to SEEK GOD, and ABIDE IN HIM, lest one Drift away into a life of Misplaced Trust, Misunderstanding, or even Apostasy. A place where GOD just doesn’t seem as relevant or important as He used to perhaps. Alas, we come full circle….TRUST, SURRENDER, AND OBEDIENCE. Do you know where you are RIGHT NOW regarding this important question ? The Battle looms….and WE must do two important things: HOLD ONTO OUR FAITH…LIVE IN GOOD CONSCIENCE.

NOW FAITH IS THE ASSURANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE CONVICTION OF THINGS NOT SEEN. Hebrews 11:1

FOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH, AND THIS IS NOT YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, SO THAT NO ONE MAY BOAST. Ephesians 2: 8-9

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 STRAIGHT YOUR PATHS. Proverbs 3: 5-6

FOR YOU KNOW THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES STEADFASTNESS. James 1:3

HOLD ONTO YOUR FAITH ! In Second Timothy. The Apostle Paul encourages his young leader Timothy to “ Hold Fast” in Faith. Faith is a word that seems to be easy to understand, but it must become a centerpiece in your IDENTITY as you Follow Jesus. Think about your Faith, and see if these things resonate in your Heart. Our Pastor, Jason Fritz at Illuminate Church indeed put it in such a profound way that it has “no doubt”, given me Clarity and Understanding. “Holding onto your Faith centers on these main components: TRUST IN GOD; HIS CHARACTER; HIS WORD; HIS PROMISES; YOUR CALLING.” It means that you KNOW who God IS, and you are WILLING to TRUST HIM in everything, because of WHO HE IS, WHAT HE SAYS, WHAT HE DOES, WHAT HE PROMISES, and perhaps most important, WHO YOU ARE TO HIM AND HOW HE WILL PURPOSE YOU AND GUIDE YOUR PATH IN LIFE ! Imagine that Timothy was a first century church leader that was at odds not only with the Government and Culture of his times, but also at Battle with the Religious Beliefs and Religious Leaders and Institutions of his time. “THE WAY”, as initial followers of Christ were recognized was a Radical New Truth ! Timothy was facing a multitude of challenges, and Paul knew that it would take a tremendous FAITH to hold his “congregation” together under all those pressures. Timothy Himself would also need to be Rock Solid in this Battle….for those he shepherded, and for his Own Heart ! WE MUST BE STRONG IN OUR FAITH AS WELL ! In all of our personal lives we will be besieged with cultural lies, idols to worship, false teachings, and Persecution ! WILL WE HOLD ONTO OUR FAITH…or will it be swept away in societal pressure, self doubt, or simple drifting away from the Truth and what matters ? WE MUST DECIDE !

BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH. Psalm 46:10

FOR IN IT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IS REVEALED FROM FAITH FOR FAITH, AS IT IS WRITTEN, “THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” Romans 1:17

FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN BORN OF GOD OVERCOMES THE WORLD. AND THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD - OUR FAITH. 1 John 5:4

As we ponder our Faith, we must also recognize a second key point that will be of critical importance in our journey to Holding Fast, and Living With Purpose. ARE YOU LIVING IN GOOD CONSCIENCE ? Pastor Jason explained this in the following statement: “ Good Conscience is an inner awareness that you are on good terms with God because you are Responding to God in Obedience for what HE WANTS FOR YOU !” It doesn’t take long to realize that WE as people WANT THINGS OUR WAY ! It is also easy to deflect our Sin and failures and find our way out of blame. Here is the KEY: We are all imperfect and Sin, but it is Absolutely Critical that we recognize our Sin, CONFESS every time, and STRIVE TO REPENT ! In that manner, we are able to have “Good Conscience” as we communicate with God, and Do His WILL ! The ability to surrender and seek His Forgiveness SETS US FREE :) We are able to understand Forgiveness and Grace, and practice them for Ourselves and OTHERS ! Paul knew that in the challenges Timothy would face, having an Open Heart To God was what would Hold Him Steadfast. when I think about JESUS, I realize that His Relationship with His Father was all about TRUST AND WILL. Jesus is our LORD, but He lived among men, and HE truly knows our Hearts, Minds, and also our Emotions and Struggles….but HE WAS SINLESS ! Our HOPE as Christians will find Fruition in a Resurrected LIfe, BEING WITH HIM FOR ETERNITY :) We must do as Timothy, and HOLD ONTO OUR FAITH WITH A GOOD CONSCIENCE. It’s a Battle sometimes, but know this: JESUS IS BESIDE YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY IF YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR LIFE TO HIM ! My prayers are for all who Seek Him, that He may GIVE YOU UNSHAKEABLE FAITH, because HE LOVES YOU :) BE FAITHFUL/JAA

AND JESUS ANSWERED THEM, “HAVE FAITH IN GOD.” Mark 11:22