24/09/2022 - EFFECTIVE FAITH

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That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.  Philemon 1.6

In the verse used in the previous message, it seemed that Paul was paying a compliment to his friend Philemon, the host of the church at Colossae. The truth was quite different, for as seen in verse 4, the apostle claimed to remember him in his prayers. Now, he explains that he mentioned his name before the Lord, so that his faith would be effective. It’s good to learn from the Lord.

The apostle remembered Philemon, so that the communication of his faith would achieve the desired result, producing what the Most High expected – regardless of human help. The saved need to act as if they were gods, that is: under the Lord’s anointing, doing the same things He would do if He were still here among us (John 10.34,35). God wants us to be faithful!

Your faith has to be productive, according to the knowledge you have been given. We need to stop being mystical. We need to live before God in such a way that when we use the Name of Jesus, divine action operates similarly to what was done under the Savior’s commands. The leper recorded in Matthew 8 heard and understood that he could be healed if he had the yes of Christ (Matthew 8.2,3). Thus, his flesh was regenerated.

When we stand before God, we come face to face with the Being who created all things from nothing. He said: I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing (John 15.5). With the Lord, we can accomplish all that was done to the leper. The operation of that man’s faith would be effective in the knowledge of God’s will!

What is effective produces the effect for which it was sent (Isaiah 55.11), under the given conditions, without anyone’s assistance. The Bible is very clear about the Savior’s action: And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4.13). Jesus gives us the victory, but we need to be in Him, and His words, in us! If you believe, you can!

In Paul’s words, all good was already in Philemon, through Christ Jesus. That same good resides in the saved one – who has repented of his sins, been born again, and been baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit. When all this occurs in us, we are in the first steps towards an efficient operation of our faith. Understanding why we stop is the issue: You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? (Galatians 5.7). Get back into the race now!

Man learns much by observing the Word, but it is of no use if he does not put it into practice. Assume Christ and rebuke the enemy. After all, the light has come to you to be put on the candlestick, illuminating everything and everyone perfectly (Matthew 5.15,16). Be the person prepared by the Lord to accomplish His will. He knows everything and has loved you!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares