CHRISTIANITY WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE A RELIGION, IT’S A LIFESTYLE

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

This verse is quoted in several places in the New Testament:

• Romans 1:17 – “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
• Galatians 3:11 – “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”
• Hebrews 10:38 – “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

Christianity was never meant to be a religion, it’s meant to be s lifestyle of faith. It’s a way of life. Faith in the One that you cannot see with your natural eyes, but you know He exist by the things that he made. The truth is that we are surrounded by evidence of a Creator who is wise, powerful, and loving. The presence of God is evident everywhere, in the vastness of the creation, and at levels so small the human eye cannot see. What is this evidence, and how undeniable is it?

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 New International Version (NIV)

The New Living Translation (NLT) renders it this way:

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God” (Romans 1:20).

God’s qualities could be seen “from the world’s creation. That evidence is all around us. It is not hidden in nature but is “clearly seen.” From the rising of the sun to the night sky we can see His invisible qualities.

“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?” ( Psalm 113:3 – 4)

Who is like unto the Lord our God? “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:  Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name…” (Isaiah 40:26)

God’s name should to be praised in every place, from east to west.

Wikipedia defines religion as a social–cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that relates humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements;^[1]however, there is no scholarly consensus over what precisely constitutes a religion.

While Christianity encompasses many of these things, by definition, Christianity is considered the religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or its beliefs and practices, but when you choose a lifestyle of faith in God who is invisible, yet you believe, Christianity becomes so much more.

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1).

“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).

By faith Moses, “… regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible”(Hebrews 11:26-27)

As a Christian you called to live by faith. God has given you a measure of faith and faith comes by you hearing the Word of God. Faith is not believing that God can; it is trusting in the fact that He will. You are trusting God in every area of your life. As believers we must develop a firm foundation in the Word of God and hold fast to His promises.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The God of the universe is incredibly involved in the lives of each one of His children.  Isn’t that amazing when you think of the grandeur and the expanse of Creation? We can’t even begin to understand it.

Our Heavenly Father desires His children to live by faith.  “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

The gospel or “good news” is the power of God to save everyone who believes; it is the very revelation of the righteousness of God!  The “good news” is that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for our sin so that we might become the children of God through faith alone in Christ alone.

Life can be difficult! So where do we find the help we need in facing real-life challenges? One very important factor to be observed in a lifestyle of faith is having hope and patience. “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised”(Hebrews 6:12).

“Who am I, Lord, that you are mindful of me?” “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:4)

In a day of depressing headlines and uncertainty all around us, good news is very welcome!

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

As Christ’s Church, Apostle Paul urges us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we’ve been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:1:2).

Blessings,