Forgiveness fortifies fluctuating faith

The ability to work with students is a huge blessing in my life. It’s also a great challenge. Sometimes, you have moments when you see evidence of the Holy Spirit working in student’s lives. In these moments, God gives you assurance that what you’re doing is not in vain.

I was with a handful of students a few weeks ago. One student was praying, and asked God to give him more faith. Immediately, my mind went to the scripture found in Luke 17: 5& 6 that reads, “And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘ Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Was it that Jesus didn’t want their faith to be increased? I think not. I believe Jesus was saying that they needed to exercise the faith that they had. In other words, God had given them faith to believe in Him. And in Philippians 4: 13, God promised them, and us, that we could do all things through Christ that gives us strength. Because of who we are in Christ, we can do amazing things through Christ.

However, as much as this is true, it’s also true that Satan will do everything he can to stop us from exercising our faith in God. In other words, Satan wants our faith to fluctuate in our feelings and circumstances. There are many things he can do to accomplish this, but perhaps the greatest thing he can do is to cause us to doubt our salvation. You certainly can’t lead someone to salvation effectively, if you’re not confident in your own salvation. That’s why we need to fortify our faith in Christ by considering Christ, and what he wants for all people.

First of all, God wants everyone to be saved. God calls all men and women to be saved. However, all he has promised to do is extend an invitation for us to respond to this offer by faith. We answer his call to be saved, God the Father makes us part of His family. If we decide to reject his invitation, we will separated from Him for eternity.

Secondly, God wants us to understand that our salvation is One hundred percent the work of the Lord. In other words, the only way we can be saved is grace alone. In other words salvation is God’s plan, work and gift. We have no responsibility in being saved, other than receiving the free gift of salvation that He offers.

Lastly, God wants us to be sure of our salvation. If you’re not sure of your salvation, then Satan will use that seed of doubt every time you feel you have done something unforgivable. There’s really nothing unforgivable in the Lord’s eyes. The thought that we can do something to lose our salvation completely contradicts His plan for it.

Our faith can’t f l uctuate with our feelings and circumstances. It has to be grounded in the scriptures. When our faith is fortified by God’s forgiveness, we cannot be shaken. Be Blessed.