Hall of Faith Inductees
Live ‘The Way’ Acceptable to God | By Faith Abel
Is the gift of genuine, biblical faith evident and demonstrated in the way you live your life?
A righteous man or woman is an individual who, by God’s grace, has been given the gift of faith to believe in Jesus Christ and is credited with His righteousness (cf. Rom. 3:22a; 2 Cor. 5:21; Php. 3:9). This is an ongoing, daily way of living, demonstrated through humility and obedience to God.
Distinctives of a righteous person living by faith:
1. Worships God with a pure heart, not simply out of ritual (vs. 3-5)
- The greatest commandment starts with “love the Lord your God with all your heart…” (cf. Mt. 22:37-38)
- When it comes to living a life of worship, “do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” (cf. Gal. 6:7-8)
- Worshipping God by faith is an outward expression of a devoted and obedient heart, and is not just a religious ritual (cf. 1 Sam. 15:22; Micah 6:6-8; Jn. 4:24)
What motivates you to worship God (both corporately and as a lifestyle)? Is it by faith, out of love for God, that you worship with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Is it simply out of ritual? How do you think God looks on your offerings of worship to Him? With or without favour?
2. Repents of their sin and seeks to do what is right (vs. 6-10)
- Even when we don’t deserve it, the Lord graciously gives us opportunities to turn from our sin and live by faith
- If we don’t live by faith, it leaves us vulnerable to the danger and influence of sin (cf. 1 Pt. 5:8-9a; Eph. 6:10-13; Rom. 6:12-14; Rom. 12:1-2)
- Keep short accounts with God and short accounts with people (cf. 1 Jn 1:9; James 5:16)
Have you “turned to God in repentance and are you demonstrating your repentance by your deeds”? (cf. Acts. 26:20). Are you “producing fruit in keeping with repentance”? (cf. Mt. 3:8). Are you living alert, heeding God’s warning about the danger of the sin that is crouching at the door of your heart? What intentional steps are you taking, by faith, through His power, to “rule over it”? Remember, “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4). “Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
3. Enjoys the favour and presence of God forever (vs. 11-16)
- “Good understanding wins favour, but the way of the unfaithful (faithless) is hard” (cf. Pr. 13:15)
- The “way of Cain” leads to sin, death, and eternal separation from the presence of God
- The “way of Abel” leads to forgiveness, salvation through Christ, favour, and life eternal in the presence of God (cf. Ps. 23:6)
By faith, are you enjoying the favour of God and the powerful presence of God in your life? (cf. Ps. 5:12; 84:11-12; 16:11). By faith, are you sure in what you hope for and certain about what you do not see? (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:16-18; Revelation 21:3-4).
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