My most recent post was defining what exactly faith is and found just how prevalent it is globally. Figured to delve further to find out why that is so; why do humans tend to gravitate toward faith.
It seems it gave humans “something” an “intangible something”. Out of the myriad faiths out there they have some commonalities. These, we shall refer to as aspects of faith. They are not to be mistaken for the aspects of religion that define the organizational structure that is common in each religion.
The aspects of faith will focus more on the spiritual, the unseen, the intangible .We often seek these aspects even without knowing it, yet they are all found in faith. I cannot speak for other faiths but will share with you what I have found and therefore now believe.
- Truth and Holiness
- Strength and Protection
- Wisdom and Guidance
- Grace and Mercy
- Love and Peace
- Hope and Joy
- Forgiveness and Restoration
- Deliverance and Redemption
Truth and Holiness
Humanity has always been in search of truth. We seek out the truth about our existence, the truth about the world, heavens, the entire universe, nature .We also desire to also know the truth about our past, the present times and even the truth about our future.
In my quest for all this I can say I had my fair share of wondering about and came full circle when I finally realized all that I needed was right there in Christ.
The most intriguing aspect of the Christian faith is the Triune God;
God (Yahweh/Jehovah is The Father),
Jesus Christ (The Son) and
The Holy Spirit,
Three Persons in One.
There are various references in the bible that refer to this glorious harmony.
Jesus Christ declared “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (God) except through me”. John 14:6
Soak that in and let in marinate in your spirit.
Holiness is yet another virtue that is admired by many and often sought after, but is unattainable simply because we are all imperfect. Be we can look to the perfect and holy one to help us in our weakness. God the Father said “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” Leviticus 19:2
Even his angels have been seen and heard proclaiming the same; “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:3
Strength and Protection
No human being is all-powerful, neither can we be able to always protect our selves at all times. Much as me may try, we are limited. Our strength can only go so far before it quickly runs out. True, the medical experts advise us it to eat well, exercise in order to build endurance and strength, this is great and it does have its benefits. But what I’m talking about goes beyond the physical, I’m talking spiritual strength.
We need to realize that when our strength fails , we can rely on Him who gives us strength. Strength to work, strength to go through our struggles and suffering. When in danger one can try and hide ,but its better to hide in the one who is the strongest.
“I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalms 18:1 -2
Grace and Mercy
Most people believe in merit, this is not wrong at all. The problem is when we believe in it too much that we leave no room for grace. Several other religions encourage their members to uphold these virtues, in fact they are recognized as sign of maturity.
Grace is God’s undeserved, unmerited favour.
Grace is favour from to God that we don’t deserve and Mercy is when he withholds punishment that we do deserve.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Titus 2:11- 13
“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. “ Exodus 34:6
Love and Peace
The world seems to be running low on love .Instead of spreading love we spreading animosity as echoed in Black Eyed Peas Grammy award song Where is the love?. Truth is one can’t give what they don’t have. And if you don’t have it, you can’t buy it neither can you can’t fake it till you make it Love cannot be manufactured by humans, I t never has and never will. Despite the numerous songs and poems written about making love, its now only a cliché that has watered down the true essence of love.
True, pure love is from God and is personified in the person of Jesus Christ. By believing in him we rely on his love for us and draw love from Him to give to others. He is the source of love for he is Love.
The Bible says in 1 John 4 “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” And reiterates again that “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
And how did He show his love to humanity, you may ask?
The same chapter goes on to expound ;“He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
We too have a part to play ,we need to resolve in our hearts to love, and in the same way decide to remain in peace. Though no matter how hard we may try ,we cannot do it on our own we need to rely on God to love and to be at peace.
Christ is the Prince of peace. He brings peace within us, around us and among various peoples.
Hope and Joy
According to google , Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one’s life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: “expect with confidence” and “to cherish a desire with anticipation.”
Hope often goes hand in hand with faith. In Apostle Paul’s letter to the Hebrews he wrote “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”.
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” Psalms 62:5
“Even the youth grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31
Joy is also from the Lord, there is fullness of joy in his presences and he also makes our joy complete.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
John 15:9
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalms 16:11
“Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.” 1 Chronicles 16:27
Wisdom and Guidance
The Holy Spirit of God imparts “gifts” to those who believe in Christ, two of those gifts are wisdom and knowledge.
“ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit” 1Corinthians 12:7-8
King Solomon who was once a King in Israel centuries ago actually requested God to give him the gift of wisdom to be able to rule prudently, and indeed God gave him Wisdom along with wealth and prosperity.
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” Psalms 25:9
Forgiveness and Restoration
In his compassion the LORD not only forgives but restores. Again we also have a part to play in this ,we need to seek him ,seek his forgiveness ,he never turns away a broken heart. He knows our inner most thoughts and motives. So don’t even think about faking anything!
He is able to forgive our sins even as we forgive others of their offenses done to us. He goes a step further after forgiving us and even purifies us from all unrighteousness and sanctifies us with his word!
Some faiths believe that there is no forgiveness without shedding blood, and have to make provisions to make sacrifices every now and then. The sacrifice must be pure – without any blemish for the sacrifice to be 100% successful. The Son of God, Jesus Christ willingly gave his life and was nailed to a cross ,shed his blood – his pure blood- for he is without sin. The wrath of God was satisfied , no other sacrifice will ever be required .This is what the cross represents, total forgiveness, total redemption, total restoration back to God.
“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time not to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence. Ephesians 1:7-8
The story of the prodigal son gives a wonderful illustration of forgiveness and restoration. I don’t mean the TV series where the “prodigal son” has to literally “work” for “NYPD” to be granted absolution for his sins.
The biblical Prodigal son leaves home loaded with cash (inheritance from his Dad) goes to the city and blows it. He squandered his wealth with wild living, ends up working as a servant – feeding pigs and even fantasied about eating their food.
Long story short , he comes to his senses and decides to back home ,apologize and work as a servant in his Dad’s estate as he felt what many of us would in such a situation – unworthy, unwanted and unloved. Yet when his Dad saw him returning ,he felt compassion on him ran to him, embraced and kissed him. He then threw a party to welcome his lost son back home. Catch the true story in the gospel of Luke.
Deliverance and Redemption
We are all in need for deliverance, more than we’d like to admit. Holly wood has raked in billions from creating entertainment centered around this very subject. Super heroes who show up on earth- some arrive as babies in space crafts, others rich folks kids who do their thing incognito -fight evil forces to save humanity from eternal damnation. Sounds familiar?
Jesus Christ left his Kingdom in heaven came down to earth, born of a virgin, grew up as anormal boy according to Jewish customs. All along he knew his mission, he came to save humanity and bring us back to His Father and in order to do that he had to die. He chose death, shed his precious blood for us. The only way they could get every ounce of his blood was through crucifixion, hence the cross was necessary, and he knew it. He did not escape his destiny but had to face it head on knowing this was the only way his mission could be accomplished.
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:13 -14
The digital age band were on point with their hit song Overcome – You’re all I need, everything I could want is found in Your love.
Everything we need for this life and for eternity is in Jesus Christ. If you don’t believe me feel free to contact Him I’m certain He’d be thrilled to hear from you!!
ComeFullCircle 
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