Watch Tim’s invitation to join his team at Falcon’s home games here:
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— Sports Fan Outreach International (@SportsFanOutrea) October 11, 2020
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Kinds of Faith
There are many different kinds of faith. For example, we believe if we only have enough faith everything will turn out all right. This is faith in faith. Then there is faith in ourselves. Some believe, falsely to be sure, they can live the kind of life which will earn them a place in heaven. “But we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works” (Romans 3:28). The Bible is very clear on this point. I’ll mention the place of works in a moment.
There is also a faith to work miracles. But this kind of faith is no guarantee of heaven. Jesus sent out Judas Iscariot to preach and work miracles. But Judas was the arch reprobate. And there is a temporary faith. It looks like real saving faith. Jesus describes this kind of faith in the parable of the soils. “This is the man who hears the word, and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction comes because of the word, immediately he falls away” (Matthew 13:20-21).
What about faith that claims the heavenly reward? Three things can be said about this faith. First it is a gift of God. “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 that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Second, it is faith in a person, Jesus Christ. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31). And third, it is faith that displays itself through actions. “I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Works are never the basis of salvation. But good deeds are a manifestation of the presence of faith.
Now, listen to, “Faith and Saving Faith.”
When Faith is Tested
Genuine seekers who as yet have not obtained the blessing may find comfort in this story. The Savior did not immediately bestow the blessing, even though the woman had great faith in Him. He intended to give it, but He waited awhile. “He did not answer her a word.” Were her prayers no good? Never better in the world. Was she not needy? Dreadfully needy. Did she not feel her need sufficiently? She felt it overwhelmingly. Was she not sincere enough? She was intensely so. Did she have no faith? She had such a high degree of it that even Jesus wondered and said, “O woman, great is your faith!” Notice then, although it is true that faith brings peace, it does not always bring it instantaneously. There may be certain reasons for faith to be tested rather than rewarded.
Genuine faith may be in the soul like a hidden seed, but so far it may not have budded and blossomed into joy and peace. Silence from the Savior is the painful trial of many a seeking soul, but heavier still is the affliction of a harsh, cutting reply such as, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” Many in waiting upon the Lord find immediate delight, but this is not the case with all. Some, like the jailer, are in a moment turned from darkness to light, but others are plants of slower growth.
A deeper sense of sin may be given to you instead of a sense of pardon, and in such a case you will need patience to bear the heavy blow. Poor heart, though Christ beat and bruise you, or even slay you, trust Him; even if He should give you an angry word, believe in the love of His heart. I urge you, do not give up seeking or trusting my Master because you have not yet obtained the conscious joy that you long for. Cast yourself on Him, and perseveringly depend even when you cannot rejoicingly hope.
Satisfied with Faith
The Christian, like Christ, should be completely satisfied with faith. Let it be enough but always increasing, for it alone is life, righteousness, and salvation. In faith, we have everything that Christ and God have. As St. Paul states in Galatians 2:20, “The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.” Therefore, even though Christians are entirely free, they are, at the same time, willing servants of and for their neighbor, walking alongside and dealing with them the way God through Christ dealt with them—and all for nothing, looking for nothing in return except God’s good pleasure. We should be of this mind:
Well, all right. I get it. Out of his abundant mercy, through Christ, God richly and freely gives me, an unworthy and damned person, apart from any merit on my part, the full riches of righteousness and salvation so that from now on, I need nothing more than to believe it so. For such a Father, who has showered me with countless blessings, I shall freely, cheerfully, and for nothing in return do what pleases him and become a Christ to my neighbor, the way Christ was and is for me, and do nothing else than what I see is necessary, useful, and a blessing to my neighbor, since through faith I already have enough of everything I need in Christ.
This is how love for God flows out of faith and how out of love flows a free, willing, and cheerful life that is lived freely, serving the neighbor for nothing. For just as our neighbors suffer and need our help, we suffer before God and need his grace. Therefore, just as God helped us freely through Christ, we should do nothing else than help our neighbors. This is what is involved in the Christian life. It is a noble life. Sadly, not only is this kind of living absent from the world. It is also rarely preached.
For just as our neighbors suffer and need our help, we suffer before God and need his grace. Therefore, just as God helped us freely through Christ, we should do nothing else than help our neighbors.
Thus we read in Luke 2:22 that the Virgin Mary went to the temple six weeks after Jesus’ birth for purification according to the law, just as all women did. Even though she was not unclean as they were, she did it nevertheless out of love, not to disparage the other women but for the benefit of her neighbors. Similarly, St. Paul permitted St. Timothy to become circumcised in Acts 16:3 not because it was necessary but so that he would not give the Jews, who were weak in faith, a cause to have evil thoughts. Yet he would not allow Titus to be circumcised because of the way they pressured him, saying he had to be circumcised and that it was necessary for salvation (see Gal. 2:3).
And then in Matthew 17:25–27, when the disciples were required to pay a tax, Christ questioned St. Peter, asking whether the children of the King were not free from paying taxes. St. Peter responded, yes. Jesus, nevertheless, sent him to the sea, saying, “[So as] not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” This is a great example for this teaching because Christ refers to himself and his own as children of the king, who by definition need to do nothing. Yet he freely subjects himself, serves, and pays the tax. Now, just as this work was not necessary and didn’t affect Christ’s own righteousness and salvation, so are all the other works by him and Christians unnecessary for salvation. Instead, they are duties we all accept without any compulsion for the sake and the benefit of others. All the works of priests, monasteries, and religious charities should be thought of in the same manner: that their work is for nothing other than the welfare of others. They should discipline their bodies to be an example for others, who also need discipline, but they should always be careful not to give the impression that one is made righteous and saved through them. That is done through faith alone.
This is an excerpt from “The Freedom of the Christian” written by Martin Luther and translated and edited by Adam Francisco (1517 Publishing, 2020), pgs. 29-33. Used with permission.
Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness in a Troubled World
Many people today grieve over the extremes of political divisions in a world that has turned away God. The bitter hatred and vitriol stand in stark contrast to the words and actions of Jesus Christ who came to earth to bring us to God. In his fourth Beatitude recorded in Matthew 5:6, he says: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
Today I have a simple question: ‘What do you really long for in life?’ Peace and happiness? Health and fitness? Success in your work or profession? Sufficient resources to enjoy a great lifestyle and check off the items on your bucket list?
Having hopes and dreams is important, but we can be misguided in them.
In Jesus’ parable of the Rich Fool found in Luke chapter 12, he tells of a man who had enjoyed great success with his investments and wondered what he should do next. “I know, the man said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’”
However, there is a chilling conclusion to the parable: But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. ‘Fool!’ What a frightening epitaph. Hungering for wealth and success, the man had left God out of his life’s plan.
Over these weeks we are reflecting on Jesus’ Beatitudes or Blessings that we read in his Sermon on the Mount. Through the centuries Jesus’ Sermon has been regarded by countless numbers, including people whose belief is atheism, as one of the great speeches of all time.
Let’s consider his words: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”
Righteousness here refers to a pattern of life that reflects God’s beauty and purity. When we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we long for a life of knowing God, loving and honoring him with all of our being.
Our society chases after money, possessions, fame and pleasure. But is everyone satisfied? Is everyone happy? Does everyone have enough of what they pursue? Where are blessing and happiness really to be found?
Further on in this Sermon, Jesus speaks about our need for food and clothing. There he says: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you…”
So, where do we learn what righteousness looks like? Psalm 19 verse 7 following says: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
The law is not simply a reference to God’s commandments but rather to the breadth of God’s mind and will for his people. These verses of Psalm 19 alert us to God’s good and wise expectations, awakening us to the joy of knowing and loving God personally – trusting and honoring him.
To get the essence of Jesus’ words we need to understand the emptiness of our lives without God. We might say we know God as creator of the universe. We may say we know Jesus as our Savior and Lord, but do we really long for God? Psalm 1 tells us, Blessed is the man or the woman whose delight is in the law or the Word of God, who meditates on it day and night.
We live in a sex-obsessed society. Yes, God invented sex. He gave us the freedom and the blessing to enjoy it but, in the way he sets out – within a publicly committed and witnessed relationship between a man and a woman.
What then does Jesus mean by being filled? Filled speaks of stomachs that are replete with food. Jesus is telling us that God will make his people who hunger and thirst for righteousness happy and satisfied. But there is a paradox. I enjoy a key-lime pie and am satisfied when I’ve eaten some. However, I always want more! Eating one piece creates a desire for more.
That is a picture of what longing for righteousness looks like for God’s people. We long for the day when we will see God in his perfection and goodness. Jesus Christ brings us satisfaction. We can experience joy and hope now. Yet we are dissatisfied. We long for righteousness in all its truth. We have a homesickness for heaven where perfect righteousness will prevail.
Richard Bewes in The Goodnight Book records John Stott’s response to his question, ‘What are you looking forward to more than anything else?’ John Stott replied, ‘I think I can truthfully say that I look forward to being more like the Lord Jesus Christ in my character. That, above everything else.’
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” From: https://anglicanconnection.com/hunger-and-thirst-in-a-troubled-world/
Join David Robert and his team in heralding the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ at the New Orleans Saints home football games this 2020 season.
Join Tim Ferguson in heralding the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ at the Atlanta Falcons home football games this 2020 season.
Join John Coble in heralding the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ at the Tennessee Titans home football games this 2020 season.
Join James Dellastatious and his team in heralding the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ at the Washington Football Team home football games this 2020 season.
Join Joe Hinson in heralding the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ at the Dallas Cowboys home football games this 2020 season.
SFOI ARCHIVE