Saturday, August 15, 2015

August 16, 2015

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith was not made out of what was visible." Hebrews 11:1-3

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

"It (love) always trusts......" I Corinthians 13:7

Three ways we can know God loves us are the same three ways we can know if we love Him.

If you fully trust that God is your Creator and are willing to submit to His authority that is evidence you love God.

That's what the "ancients" were commended for, they never doubted God was their Creator and the Creator of every living thing. So, when He called them to do very difficult like offer a son as a sacrifice or build an ark they were willing to trust God! If they had doubts they gave Him the benefit of their doubts.

How do you know Abraham, Noah, Moses or David loved God? Because they honored Him as Creator and built their faith on that fact.

Do you?

Secondly, if you trust fully in His character it is evidence you love God.

Abraham, Noah, Moses, David and all the other heroes believed God was Who He says He is and that if they obeyed Him He would reward their faith. They did and He did and Hebrews 11 records it!

Sometimes their trust in His character was all their had to go on. So, when they had doubts they gave Him the benefit of the doubt based on His character.

Perhaps the best expression of this truth comes from the great 19th Century preacher, Charles Spurgeon. He preached to thousands every week and yet struggled with frequent bouts of deep depression. No, doubt he must have struggled with faith in those dark times. But we know he loved God by his strong declaration of faith, "When I cannot see God's hand I can trust His heart."

Do you?

Third, if you trust in His Christ for the salvation of your soul, you love God and God's love will flood your soul.

It's the goal of God's love!

It's what Abraham, Noah, Moses, David and all the faith heroes could only long for. 

You can love God because He first loved you and sent His Son to demonstrate His love. God's love gave you the benefit of the doubt so you can have the chance to trust in Jesus.

Do you?