SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1381

“It is Personal”

By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. – Hebrews 11:29

Two peoples entered the Red Sea that day with a wall of water to the left and to the right. One people, the nation of Israel, passed through safely by faith in God. The other, the Egyptian Army, entered without a faith relationship in God and with motives contrary to God’s purpose and plan and were drowned.

This Old Testament historical event in delivering the nation of Israel by passing through the Red Sea points to the New Covenant of salvation through faith in Jesus. It symbolizes repentance, salvation, baptism, and being born-again into new life by the Spirit of God. It is like the narrow path of faith that we walk as we follow Christ. It also symbolizes the wide path of destruction for those who attempt to enter apart from a personal faith relationship with Jesus.

Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me; Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. – John 14:6; Matthew 7:13-14

Christian Defined – The term means to be a ‘follower of Christ’. Far too many of those who identify as ‘Christian’ do so based upon a social club like membership in a religious denomination. They attempt to build a relationship with Jesus through occasional ritual and religious practices. A Christian is a Christ follower with a continual, committed personal relationship with Jesus.

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith; Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. – John 12:26; Hebrews 12:2; Romans 5:2

Our Faith is Personal: We cannot walk the path of Jesus through the faith of others. We need our own personal faith and relationship with Him. The Seven sons of Sceva attempted to exercise the faith of Paul over a demon with disastrous results.

But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them… – Acts 19:13-16

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ – John 10:1; Matthew 7:23

A Personal Faith Trusts and Abides with Christ.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. And those who know your name put their trust in you. – 2 Corinthians 5:7; Psalm 9:10

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

A Personal Faith Must be Nurtured. Christ reveals Himself through His Word and by His Spirit we have power for living in this fallen world.

So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:17

A Personal Faith Loves. We love because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. – John 14:23

A Personal Faith Transforms. Through Jesus we walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:4

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

A Personal Faith Motivates Action Bearing Fruit. We serve Him and others in His Name.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works… For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. – James 2:18-26

A Personal Faith is Not Private. We are commissioned by Christ to share the Gospel openly in word and deed.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:14-16

A Personal Faith is a Living Stone. You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 2:5

May your faith in Jesus be personal and intimate as a Christ follower.

May you be a living stone among other living stones, supporting one another, built up into the Bride of Christ, His church.

May the Light of Christ in you shine and dispel the darkness of this world, drawing others to receive salvation through Jesus.