Faith is a five-letter word. That may sound great when you say it, but it is almost always wrong. Just because we live through an experience-just because we go through a kairos’ moment. Does not mean we have learned something from it. Otherwise we would not have to repeat the same lessons over and over again. we learn by responding to the experience.
In the some way, repenting by itself will not bring about change. Repentance is only the first part of the Circle. Stopping after we repent only invites the experience to recur and makes it harder to repent the next time.
After observing, reflecting and discussing the situation with someone else-the process of repenting before God-we must move around to the left side of the Circle and begin to change our actions. How does this happen? Through faith. This is the second half of our circle, the next process in the lifestyle of discipleship.
“Faith” says the writer of Hebrews, “is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1). Older translations use the word “substance”-faith is the substance of things unseen. Faith is not simply a nice idea; it is a substantive display of belief. It is being sure of something that you cannot see.
Faith is not like empty wishes or dreams that never come true. It is action. Faith is what takes us around the circle and farther in our walk as disciples. So three principles of faith balance out the three principles of repentance. And we discover these by continuing our study of the sermon on the Mount. These are Plan, Account, Act.
Embrace the fruit of the spirit God wants to grow in our lives. But when it gets hard to face the issues of sin that surface in your life, push on through. And don’t turn back and look for relief from the internal struggle. The rewards will be great. Once you have tasted the goodness of the Lord, you will sell everything you have to keep it and know it more fully.
Yes