[271 words]
J.W. McGarvey said, “If our faith is to save us, our faith in Christ, it will be by causing us to act in harmony with that faith” (emp. added, rek). McGarvey continued, “If He is Christ, the Son of the living God, ruling over heaven and earth, and we believe that, and act in harmony with it, we immediately surrender our souls and bodies and all that we have and are, to His divine guidance and control” (Sermons, p. 93).
Faith always moves.
Faith must move in the direction of Christ. We are “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). The NASB says, “fixing our eyes on Jesus.” We keep our focus heavenward, where Christ is (Col. 3:1-2).
Faith must move under the power of Christ. “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col. 3:17). We seek His favor in all we do.
Faith must move in accord with Christ. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood ofJesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7). We seek to walk harmoniously with Him.
When faith moves in the direction, under the power, and in accord with Jesus Christ, it is called “faithfulness.” The faithful will be crowned with eternal life (Rev. 2:10).
Rick Kelley
via Massillon church of Christ
Massillon, OH