Faith

 

 

 

There is a lot of talk about faith

And, as a matter of fact,

Some are known by their abundance

And quite a few by their lack.

 

Some have faith in Christ

And some have faith in faith:

These two I hope to deal with

And this is by God’s grace.

 

Not to be mixed up with the faith

Meaning the doctrine of Truth

But the two most argued about:

One without biblical proof.

 

The Bible is replete with texts

Depicting faith in Christ

And central to this specific faith

Is his atoning sacrifice.

 

Jesus is the object of our faith

All of the household of faith,

All them that are the born again

Via their faith in God’s grace.

 

They that put their faith in Jesus

Having repented of their sins

And like sheep that know his voice

Are walking along with him.

 

This faith is given in measure

And exercised in our daily walk,

It is manifested in our conversation

And it impacts the way we talk.

 

It’s different from faith in faith

The object of which is faith

That has no bearing on salvation

Or to God’s wonderful grace.

 

 

 

It’s a kind of God-like faith

As defined by some denominations,

The kind of faith that God used

Way back in the creation.

 

A speak-it-into-being faith

Conceive it, believe it, receive it,

Albeit full of illusion and delusion

Leaving adherents in a fix.

 

Exercising faith in faith

As opposed to Christ as the object

And faking it till you make it

Being another illusory aspect.

 

Faith in Christ is not for miracles

That may or may not happen,

It is in fact the God-saving faith

That tells us we are forgiven.

 

It is not that miracles have ended

And will never again occur

But above all miracles that ever were

It’s the miracle of salvation I prefer.

 

Miraculously and wondrously saved:

The miracle of a life transformed,

By faith in Jesus Christ, my Lord,

Miraculously I have been reborn.

 

And this for all eternity,

I am at present a citizen of heaven

And sealed by the blessed Holy Spirit,

All my sins have been forgiven.

 

By faith I walk in righteousness

As a born-again child of God

And by faith in my Saviour Jesus Christ

I share him at home and abroad.

 

Stewart Russell © October 9, 2022

 

Faith and Faith

 

 

Of what faith are you

Is a question often asked

And depending on who you are

This is an easy task.

 

I am of the Wesleyan faith

Or I am an Anglican,

I am a Moravian or Catholic

Or even Presbyterian.

 

Faith meaning sect

Is one of the expressions

That quickly come to one’s mind

When asked this question.

 

I am of Apollos

And I am of Paul

Of Cephas and Christ

Or none of the above at all.

 

Like the Pharisees,

That were none of the above,

They were sectarian and apart

And full of self-love.

 

So, faith as in doctrine

Is one definition of faith,

I will hurry on to the next one

I’ve reserved for this space.

 

Faith as in believing

For something to happen,

The faith expressed in a prayer

When something threatens.

 

Mustard seed faith

That will result in a miracle,

The faith that moves mountains

Or whatever the trouble.

 

 

 

So, faith as in a doctrine

And faith as in belief

Hence, the faith and faith title

In this poetic brief.

 

Both are important

One more than the other

And if not properly understood

They can be a bother.

 

Faith in God’s Word

Meaning one’s faith in the faith

Is what we should aspire to

And this by God’s grace.

 

The faith as in the doctrine

Purported by the apostles

Who also walked with Christ

As his first disciples.

 

And afterwards, Paul

And Barnabas and Timothy

And all in the New Testament

That we can see.

 

 

The apostle’s doctrine

Founded on Jesus the Christ

With Jesus the chief cornerstone

Does adequately suffice.

 

There is much dispute

In the church today

And many seek the miraculous

And keep doctrine at bay.

 

Sound doctrine I mean

As lived by the apostles

And this they have exchanged

For charismatic people.

 

Modern day apostles

And future telling prophets

Not necessarily based in the Word

They live to regret.

 

Emphasizing the gifts

While disregarding the Giver

And more or less placing faith

In a charismatic leader.

 

But faith is of no avail

If not placed in the faith

First given to the Bible apostles

That saw Jesus’ face.

 

 

A more-sure word of prophecy

Is how Peter put it,

One’s faith in this faith

Ought to be one’s daily habit.

 

To be like Jesus

This is the the faith to be,

Conformed to the image of Christ:

A reflection for all to see.

 

Stewart Russell © May 6, 2024

 

Contend for the Faith

 

 

Contend for the faith

Be passionate if you must

But do not get caught up

In the unnecessary fuss.

 

Contend earnestly

But do so in love,

Let it be a demonstration

Of the Spirit from above.

 

Be forceful if necessary

But without hostility,

Enlighten the brother

Don’t make an enemy.

 

Display a good attitude

Be not condescending,

Remember it is your faith

That you are defending.

 

Don’t you dare argue

Just for argument sake,

That is definitely nibbling

At the devil’s bait.

 

 

Stand your ground for sure

But stand on the Word,

Search it for yourself

Don’t go on what you heard.

 

If while you are contending

You find out you are wrong,

Be gracious in acceptance

Don’t be wrong and strong.

 

Maintain your integrity,

That you must not lose,

If invited to a brawl

Politely refuse.

 

Try not to be divisive

Though divided you may be,

Disagree agreeably

And do so lovingly.

 

Treat the other as a brother

Unless directed otherwise,

Misguided he might be

But not to be despised.

 

If the roles were changed

As sometime they will be,

You would want for him

To treat you similarly.

Contending for the faith

Is not about you or me,

 It is sharing the love of Jesus

And doing so faithfully.

 

Stewart Russell © February 2020