February 13
Called to continue
And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples…exhorting them to continue in the faith…Acts 14:21-22 (NKJV)
As we examine faith from its many different angles, we need to cover one that can often get lost in the shuffle…our responsibility regarding it.
Now, here's what the Bible DOESN'T teach us. It doesn't teach us that faith is something we produce on our own or something that hinges on our human efforts or accomplishments. We've already gone in depth to see that God is actually the source for our faith (please see February 3).
However, even though our faith is something that comes to us from God, the Bible DOES teach that we have a responsibility regarding it. Note what we see in the passage above. In context, Paul and Barnabas are re-visiting the churches they had recently established in Asia. These were people who were relatively new in their faith in Christ, and they tell them to "continue in the faith" (Acts 14:22).
They didn't say, "Your faith is from God so you don't have to do anything. Just sit back and put it on cruise control." Instead they drew attention to the fact that when it comes to the Christian life, there's a healthy tension between God's sovereign work and our human responsibility. We have a part to play when it comes to our faith, one where we're called to continue and expend effort.
"Why does God put that onus on us?" Because God is relational, and He wants us to be relationally engaged with Him. If faith were something that was all in His court or all in our court, it would lose the dynamic of relationship. But because God has a role and we have a role, our faith becomes something we share, and in that sharing we're able to build up our relationship with Him.
Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
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