An incident is told of a certain jailer who almost killed himself with his sword supposing that the prisoners he was to watch over had fled. This thing he did after a great earthquake had shaken the foundations of the prison, and all doors were opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed. But Paul, one of the prisoners, cried with a loud voice saying, “do thyself no harm for we are all here”. Fast forward, this jailer realizing that something supernatural had taken place, he asks one thing; “sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The response he gets: “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” Acts 16:22-31
The question asked by the jailer has
been uttered by many a people throughout the ages, and the answer has always
been the same, Believe. The bible calls this “believe on the Lord Jesus”
faith.
From whom does this faith come? “God hath dealt to
every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 From this
statement, if faith is that important, then understanding what it truly means
to have faith and how to practically apply it must equally be important.
There’s a work that God would want us to do; “believe on Him whom He hath
sent.” John 6:29 This is the only labor which endureth unto
everlasting life. This is how mankind is saved from the bondage of sin.
So how does this faith work? There is one principle
by which genuine faith is actuated. “In Jesus Christ neither circumcision
availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
Galatians 5:6 it is by brotherly love, affection and/or benevolence
that genuine faith works. “We know that we have passed from death unto life
because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”
1 John 3:14. Jesus helps us to understand how we can practically
apply this principle in our daily lives. In Matthew 25:35-40 we
find a picture of what it means to have brotherly love. I will derive a list from
His statements and give a spiritual application since the physical is literal.
Feed the hungry: “Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew
4:4 what the soul truly needs is Jesus Christ who is the Word and bread
of life John 1:1, 14; John 6:35. Even as we share the
physical food it is important that we share the bread of life with our
brothers.
Give drink to the thirsty: water in the bible is a
symbol of the Holy Spirit Isaiah 44:3; John 7:37-39.
Is it important for others to have Him abide in them? Acts 19:1-6 certainly
it is John 14: 16-18,26 16:13-14
Take in the homeless stranger: there are many around us
who do not belong to the family of God, but we have been privileged to be His
children Galatians 3:26. It is our duty to reach these souls Matthew
28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 4:3.
Clothe the naked: a parable is told of a
man found at the wedding feast without a wedding garment Matthew 22:1-14
this represents the righteousness of Christ which covers His disciples without
which no man shall see God. Our garments are our characters, they are to be always
white Ecclesiastes 9:8, that is righteous/pure. Consider Isaiah
61:10 the garment of salvation is used synonymously with robe of
righteousness also see Zechariah 3:3-5. Those who are void of the
righteousness of Christ are to be pointed to the one who can clothe them that shame
of nakedness may not be seen Revelation 3:18.
Visit the sick: this is a call to the
medical missionary work. Jesus our example, went about teaching, preaching and healing
Matthew 9:35 and also commissioned his followers to do a similar
work. Physical sickness is linked with sin in the Bible, which is the
transgression of the law, moral and even the very laws of health Matthew
9:2; John 9:1,2; John 5:14. We are to help the sick recover from their
physical ailments, praying for their healing James 5:15 as well
as point them to Him who can also cleanse them from the sickness of sin Psalms
103:3.
Genuine faith in Christ is
evidenced by our works James 2:18, which are resultant of the
love in our hearts.
Can we achieve this by ourselves? Absolutely not. The carnal
mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God Romans
8:7, the law which is good, holy and just Romans 7:12 and
founded on love which is the foundation of God’s government. There has to be a
higher power at work to change the heart of man which is desperately wicked Jeremiah
17:9 and selfish. True godly love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit Galatians
5:22. In order to work the work of God which is a labor faith,
we are to rely on Him who can work in us to both will and do according to His
good pleasure Philippians 2:13.
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