Faith, the Faith and Faithfulness

 

 

We talk about faith

In very loose terms,

Often ignorant

Of that for which we yearn.

 

We often understate it

And just as often overate it

All the time still confused

As is our lifetime habit.

 

We pray in faith

Or so we believe,

And we are especially exasperated

When we do not receive.

 

We are saved by faith

Well, that is initially

But it also takes faith

To walk in the faith continually.

 

 

By God’s grace are we saved

And by our faith also,

And as we walk in the way

That faith must show.

 

It is faith at the beginning

And faith as we walk

In justification and sanctification

And not just plain old talk.

 

Faith to first believe,

Faith for daily transformation,

An initiation and a walk,

Grace and faith for salvation.

 

That takes care of the first

But what of the second?

Considering some still walk

As though nothing happened.

 

 

In what do we walk?

And according to what?

What is our spiritual compass?

What is our spiritual lot?

 

The doctrine of the Apostles

As taught by Jesus Christ,

Himself being the chief cornerstone,

This constitutes life.

 

Nothing more, nothing less,

As explicitly understood,

No interpretation or hidden agenda;

Undiluted as we should.

 

The medicine for the soul

And needed boost for the spirit

First, the explicit

And when necessary, the implicit.

 

Yes, faith number 1.

Is being saved from our sin

While faith number 2

Is walking in the doctrine.

 

 

The body of truth

That regulates both lip and life,

That helps us to conform

To the image of Christ.

 

We have been changed

And are daily being changed

And what we once used to be

Is being rearranged.

 

Hence, the call to faithfulness

As the consistency in our walk,

And not be stumbling around

Like the lame or the halt.

 

Emulating God’s faithfulness

As He has been to us

And through the Holy Spirit

Conforming to the image of Jesus.

 

 

Faith and the faith

And good old fashion faithfulness,

Being true to our calling

Whatever the test.

 

So, when you say faith

Identify what you mean

For the faith that ultimately matters

Is when upon Christ we lean.

 

Love for God

And love for our fellowman,

Faith, the faith and faithfulness:

That is the Divine plan.

 

Stewart Russell © July 2020

 

Can You Believe It?

I was knocked for six

When I heard the news,

This was particularly so

Considering the recent reviews.

Enquiring how he was

“Great improvement” was the word

So that when I learnt of his passing

To me this was absurd.

Just over twenty four hours

“Great Improvement” was the word

Now I just could not understand

What I had just heard.

Just one year before

We suffered the passing of his wife,

Now one year later

He is void of all life.

How can this be?

I ask myself again and again

I am tempted to question God

But from that I shall refrain.

All things work together

For every born again believer

And the moment we forget this

We’ve been tricked by the Deceiver.

But it does toy with the mind

I can tell you that

And all who have lost a loved one

Will tell you, that’s a fact.

I am trying desperately

To switch to “consolatory” mood

But I just can’t seem to make it

Out of the “denial” groove

My god-brother and friend

One of the best I have ever had,

He is no longer with us

And that makes us quite sad.

  

We still try to come to grips

With the passing of Pearline,

Now Michael has also departed

It’s a “double whammy” scene.

Lord, help us at this time

As we try to process this event,

We are often baffled by life

But our good is your intent.

Comfort us with your peace

And strengthen by your grace

And remind us of your faithfulness

Through all that we must face.

Stewart Russell © December 18, 2018

At: 3:58 a.m.