May 08 2011

Responsibilities To The Faith (5/8/11 – PM)

Responsibilities To The Faith

We often (and rightfully so) think about the benefits of the gospel,
but we need to understand that those benefits carry great
responsibilities as well…

Responsibilities To The Faith
We often concentrate on the benefits received of the gospel but we need to remember that those blessings also come with great responsibilities:

  1. Conviction
    • Our faith is that which we believe but it should be firmly grounded in The Faith revealed by God (Rom. 10:17).
    • We need to ask if we are truly convicted or if it is some guess (Heb. 11:1, 6); true conviction will lead us to obedience (Acts 6:7, 8:37) as well as to be grounded and settled (1 Pet. 3:15, Col. 1:21-23).
    • Would we stand or turn away (John 6:66, 68)?
  2. Consistency
    • Abide in the faith (2 Jn 9)/walk in the light (1 Jn 1:7, 9).
    • This requires diligence and examination (1 Cor. 9:27; 2 Cor. 13:5; James 1:22-23).
    • If I am convicted this should come naturally for I will continue in it (Acts 14:22), stand fast in it (1 Cor. 16:13), and abide in it (John 15:4, 6, 9-10, 13-14; 1 John 5:3).
  3. Contending
    • As we continue to abide in the faith with conviction, it should come naturally that we will contend for the faith –that is defend it (Jude 3; Phil. 1:17).
    • Must be done firmly but in love (Phil. 1:27; Eph. 4:15) and ensure that it is truly the gospel we are contending for (Rom. 14:10-11; Titus 3:9).