WIXLIB

us through tests and trials. Feelings can be deceptive, faithis true.The Just Shall Live By FaithChristians are chosen to become rich in faith:5Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen thepoor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of thekingdom which He promised to those who love Him?(James 2:5)The Bible, in three places teaches the just shall live by faith.The first time is Habakkuk 2:4:4Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But thejust shall live by his faith.The contrast between the proud and the just indicates that thefaithful are not among the proud, but among the upright. Theproud have too much faith in themselves.Paul wrote:11But that no one is justified by the law in the sight ofGod is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." 12 Yet thelaw is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall liveby them. (Galatians 3:11-12)This last verse shows that while the law is not faith, the faithfulwill keep it.In Romans 1:17-19, the Apostle Paul wrote:17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faithto faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against allungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress10

the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may beknown of God is manifest in them, for God has shown itto them.Regarding righteousness of God, Psalm 119:172 states:172My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Yourcommandments are righteousness.Hebrews says this about some of the just that were faithful:13These all died in faith, not having received thepromises, but having seen them afar off were assured ofthem, embraced them and confessed that they werestrangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who saysuch things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15And truly if they had called to mind that country fromwhich they had come out, they would have hadopportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, thatis, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed tobe called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.(Hebrews 11:13-16)So the faithful, while living God's way of life on Earth, are focusedon the hope of their future reward with God. They "seek first thekingdom" (Matthew 6:33). But also on Earth they keep thecommandments:12Here is the patience of the saints; here are those whokeep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.(Revelation 14:12)But it is not always easy to be part of the faithful. The expression'patience of the saints' indicates great difficulty at that time. Butwith the faith OF Jesus, which God grants, we can do endure.Sometimes we have to endure that which seems unfair (James1:12-16) and/or for a very long period of time (2 Peter 3:8-9). Donot succumb to bitterness (cf. Hebrews 12:14-15; Ephesians 4:13).11

Notice something the Apostle Paul wrote:20And I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me. And thatI live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God,who loved me, and delivered himself for me. (Galatians2:20, DRB)We need to have the faith OF Jesus to have Him live His life inus. If this were not possible, the Bible would not teach that!Recall that the Bible ties faith in with hope, “faith is the foundationof things hoped for.” Hope is something that we need to have:15And have hope toward God, which they themselves alsoallow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, bothof the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself,to have always a conscience void of offence toward God,and toward men. (Acts 24:15-16 1 KJV)Not only is hope to be exercised, so essentially is faith. Oneexercises faith by living by it. And this is not simply a 'blind faith.'Notice that the Bible teaches:21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstainfrom all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22KJV)The Bible teaches that one should be able to prove that there is aGod:20For since the creation of the world His invisibleattributes are clearly seen, being understood by the thingsthat are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, sothat they are without excuse, (Romans 1:20)Of course, we must also look beyond the physical:16Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though ouroutward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being12

renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which isbut for a moment, is working for us a far more exceedingand eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at thethings which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.For the things which are seen are temporary, but the thingswhich are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)By living according to faith, one also helps prove that thecommands and instructions in the word of God are true Christians do not simply have a blind, illogical, or emotional faith.Faith is real - it is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews11:1).Much of the Old Testament was Written for Our Example-What is the 'Faith Chapter' of the Bible?The Bible says that much of the Old Testament was written forour example:1Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware thatall our fathers were under the cloud, all passed throughthe sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and inthe sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank thesame spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rockthat followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But withmost of them God was not well pleased, for their bodieswere scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these thingsbecame our examples, to the intent that we should not lustafter evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not becomeidolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "Thepeople sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 8Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of themdid, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let ustempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and weredestroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of themalso complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11Now all these things happened to them as examples, andthey were written for our admonition, upon whom theends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who13

thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:112)Notice that in the Old Testament, many were walking by sight.But as Christians, we must have faith (2 Corinthians 5:7). In theNew Testament, some of those examples are highlighted again.Let's go back to Hebrews 11, which is often called the 'faithchapter' in the Bible and see all of it:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, theevidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtaineda good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that theworlds were framed by the word of God, so that the thingswhich are seen were not made of things which are visible.4By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrificethan Cain, through which he obtained witness that he wasrighteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it hebeing dead still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken awayso that he did not see death, "and was not found, becauseGod had taken him"; for before he was taken he had thistestimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it isimpossible to please Him, for he who comes to God mustbelieve that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those whodiligently seek Him.7By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yetseen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for thesaving of his household, by which he condemned theworld and became heir of the righteousness which isaccording to faith.8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go outto the place which he would receive as an inheritance.And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 Byfaith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreigncountry, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs14

with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the citywhich has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.11By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceiveseed, and she bore a child when she was past the age,because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, wereborn as many as the stars of the sky in multitude-innumerable as the sand, which is by the seashore.13These all died in faith, not having received thepromises, but having seen them afar off were assured ofthem, embraced them and confessed that they werestrangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who saysuch things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15And truly if they had called to mind that country fromwhich they had come out, they would have hadopportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, thatis, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed tobe called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered upIsaac, and he who had received the promises offered uphis only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, "In Isaacyour seed shall be called," 19 concluding that God was ableto raise him up, even from the dead, from which he alsoreceived him in a figurative sense.20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning thingsto come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessedeach of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on thetop of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying,made mention of the departure of the children of Israel,and gave instructions concerning his bones.23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden threemonths by his parents, because they saw he was abeautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king'scommand. 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age,15

refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of Godthan to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming thereproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures inEgypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsookEgypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured asseeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept thePassover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he whodestroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faiththey passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereasthe Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they wereencircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab didnot perish with those who did not believe, when she hadreceived the spies with peace.32And what more shall I say? For the time would fail meto tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah,also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 whothrough faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness,obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of thesword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiantin battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35Women received their dead raised to life again. Otherswere tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they mightobtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial ofmockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains andimprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn intwo, were tempted, were slain with the sword. Theywandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, beingdestitute, afflicted, tormented -38 of whom the world wasnot worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, indens and caves of the earth.39And all these, having obtained a good testimonythrough faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having16

provided something better for us, that they should not bemade perfect apart from us.These are not just stories. These are examples to us. We need tohave the faith to do what God wants even when we feeloverwhelmed or discouraged. Faith often takes courage.Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote:12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, towhich you were also called and have confessed the goodconfession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy6:12)The called are to have faith and the examples of those before usshould help. When I read some of the lies on the internet aboutme, or if you learn of some of them, remember what Jesus andStephen the martyr said:11"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you,and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is yourreward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets whowere before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)51"You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears!You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, sodo you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers notpersecute? (Acts 7:51-52)Jesus is saying that the examples of those who went before usshould help us understand what happens to us today. And Stephenmade it clear that religious leaders often would not listen to God'sprophets.God Will Provide What We Need IF We Put Him First andHave Faith17

Many who are not called and chosen worry about many matters.Jesus said that His followers do not have to be like that:24"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hatethe one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to theone and despise the other. You cannot serve God andmammon.25"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life,what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about yourbody, what you will put on. Is not life more than food andthe body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of theair, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns;yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of morevalue than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add onecubit to his stature?28"So why do you worry about clothing? Consider thelilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil norspin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all hisglory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God soclothes the grass of the field, which today is, andtomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much moreclothe you, O you of little faith?31"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For afterall these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenlyFather knows that you need all these things. 33 But seekfirst the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and allthese things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do notworry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itsown things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.(Matthew 6:24-34)Do you have faith in God's promises? Jesus said there were thoseof little faith. Do you want to be considered that way by Jesus?The late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote related to this in his Whatis Faith? booklet:18

The Importance of CLAIMING a PROMISEI remember one time several years ago when my two sonscame to me and asked me to do something for them - Idon't remember now what. They were then around sevenand nine years old. I do remember I didn't want to do it."But, Daddy, You PROMISED," they said, "and you'veGOT TO KEEP YOUR PROMISE."And then I remembered I had promised. Well, what doyou think? Do you think I could break a promise when mytwo sons came to me and put it like that? No, and if you'lljust as boldly tell God HE has promised and then CLAIMthat promise as applied to your case and TRUST God tokeep it and quit worrying about it - quit trying to work upfaith - just RELAX, and let God take over from there leave it with Him - let Him do it - He'll do it, every time!I know whereof I speak, because I've put what I'm nowtelling you to the test not once, but literally hundreds andthousands of times, and God has never failed to keep Hispromise once. I've seen the answers come so often and sofrequently that I expect the answer when I ask!God promises to supply every need - that if we'll seek firstthe Kingdom of God and His RIGHTEOUSNESS - whichis right doing - He will provide every material need (Matt.6:33).Relying on God is a matter of faith. But most do not really do that,including most who claim to be Christian.As far as faith, works, and claiming a promise goes, noticesomething the prophet Malachi recorded:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me!But you say,'In what way have we robbed You?'In tithes and offerings.19

9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me,Even this whole nation.10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there maybe food in My house,And try Me now in this," Says the Lord of hosts, "If I willnot open for you the windows of heavenAnd pour out for you such blessing That there will not beroom enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:8-10)Yes, it takes faith to give tithes and offerings. And while theblessings may not seem to be immediate, it is possible to live thislife doing it (as I have done so all my life, even the times I wasquite poor). Furthermore, if you properly give tithes and offeringsyou can claim God’s promise of blessings for doing so.Faith Comes By Hearing the Word of God from Those GodHas Sent to PreachFaith is a foundational doctrine:1Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementaryprinciples of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not layingagain the foundation of repentance from dead works andof faith toward God (Hebrews 6:1)Where does faith come from?Paul wrote:2Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or bythe hearing of faith? (Galatians 3:2).Paul also wrote:6But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way.8 "Theword is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (thatis, the word of faith which we preach).13 For "whoevercalls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." 14 Howthen shall they call on Him in whom they have not20

believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whomthey have not heard? And how shall they hear without apreacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they aresent? As it is written:"How beautiful are the feet of those who preachthe gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings ofgood things!"16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says,"Lord, who has believed our report?" 17 So then faithcomes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.18But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:"Their sound has gone out to all the earth, Andtheir words to the ends of the world." (Romans10:6,8,13-18).He then said that part of Israel's problem was disobedience(vs.21). So Paul makes it clear that for people to have faith, theyneed to listen to the preachers God has sent. These preachers mustbe true to the word

chosen (1 Corinthians 1:26-28; Matthew 22:14). We are not just to have faith, but promote it (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20). That is what we in the Continuing Church of God are striving to do. The Called and Chosen are to be Faithful While clo