Saturday, January 5, 2013

Introduction into the Faith Driven Life

Introduction to The Faith Driven Life

While many elements of the Purpose-Driven Life comes from the Bible, the composition of these elements in the Purpose Driven paradigm was not divinely inspired but was composed according to Rick Warren imagination. There is a Biblical paradigm for how to live. In this paradigm not only are the individual elements of God but the composition of these elements are divinely arranged.This paradigm I call The Faith Driven Life.

Another way of saying that the Faith Driven Life is of God as a system is that God intervened in history in such a way that His people became Faith Driven thinkers. The Faith Driven Life is seen in the Bible from cover to cover. The Faith Driven paradigm was in fact the model of thinking of the saints of old, and remains the model of thinking of saints today. We are instructed to live the Faith Driven Life

Hab 2:2-4 KJV And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. (3) For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (4) Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Rom 1:16-17 KJV For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Gal 3:10-12 KJV For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (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. (12) And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Heb 10:35-39 KJV Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (36) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (37) For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (38) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

We are to live by faith.Living by faith means living on the basis of faith or living according to faith. faith is to be the foundation,the core- that which drives or motivates everything we do. We are to live faith driven lives.

In Heb 11 we can read about the Hall of Faith.It becomes clear from reading this chapter that the saints of old lived faith driven lives. In verse 1 we see two components of the Faith Driven Life

Heb 11:1-2 KJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report.

There are two things that faith is:First, It is sound doctrine and facts that evidence what God will is and what He plans to do. Faith is also God’s vision that gives substance to hope.

The Faith Driven Life-Doctrine is essential.
Faith is first of all based on the evidence of things unseen. There are facts and principles that God has revealed so that we can know what He is doing and what kinds of things are consistent with His will. We know, for example that God will not bless the extramarital sexual misadventures being undertaken by so many today. We know this because it is written in Scripture “Do not commit adultery”. Sound doctrine gives us information about how God reasons, what His priorities and moral commands are, and His vision for both the future of the world and His people.

The Scriptures are the standard- the reference guide for doctrine and life. It is the Scriptures that are used to train us to live the Faith Driven Life.

2Ti 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The Scriptures give us correction and instruction in righteousness. the Scriptures teach us how to live the Faith Driven Life. This passage tell us that the proper use of the Scriptures-the Bible can thoroughly furnish or equip the child of God for every good work. Without sound doctrine we cannot understand the meaning of the story or discern God’s purposes for our lives

The Faith Driven Life-Vision becomes supersized.
While faith is based on evidence from God’s word of things unseen it also provides substantiation for things hoped for. Hope is related to vision. When we believe God gives us a vision. when God enters into us We nor only receive instruction on the boundaries and the fundamental doctrine but we are stirred up to receive a vision and hope for our lives. God will give an impossible dream. His Words provide substance to that vision.

Rom 10:8-17 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (16) But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? (17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Rom 5:1-10 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. (8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

When God’s Word penetrates our hearts. We believe that God seeks to be glorified through us. God will use trails and tribulations to produce hope. We have a great Hope rooted in the fact that God loves and therefore will seek our best welfare. If God loves us enough to send Christ die for us while we were enemies of God how much will He seek to love us now that we are reconciled to Him. It is this assurance that enables us to persist in tribulations.

Continued in Living the Faith Driven Life.


Introduction into the Faith Driven Life

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