Day 32 - Saturday

Day 32

 

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"  Romans 8:32 (NIV)

As we close this look the shield of faith, let's discuss one more thing about faith.  In most recent years in the church, the teaching about faith has become almost a fad.  It has become thought of as a currency through which we get things from God. 

 

The picture that comes to mind is a mafia godfather who demands loyalty and if we offer just the right words, remain in his good graces and believe just the right things, our life will be "protected."  We will be covered by the protection of the godfather.  But if we falter in faith, worry or doubt, we will lose all standing with him and now all evil is able to touch us. 

 

This is not what we see Paul saying throughout his epistles.  Rather he invites us into a relationship with God…a loving Father, not a manipulative godfather who demands complete allegiance or suffer the consequences.  No, Paul's God has laid the consequences of our bad behavior and our sin nature on Jesus and through his sacrifice, God now looks with favor on his people. 

 

We are freely given the gift of grace.  Grace alone is a beautiful word that invites the hearer to breathe deeply, freely, knowing that God is on our side.  He gave us a high priest, Jesus, who understands and is intimately acquainted with what it means to be human and struggle with life and all it presents us.  Because of this, because of Jesus, we can trust (believe and have faith in) God's unconditional love for us. 

 

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

 

It is this that when we believe and trust in, his love for us, we can heft the shield of faith and quench those fiery darts.  Why?  Because of God's great and unconditional love for us and our faith in it will vanquish the lies of the enemy and the attacks that come our way.

 

Prayer:  "Jesus, thank you for your love and for your sacrifice for me.  Help me to believe your unconditional love for me and let me have faith that withstands the fiery attacks that come from life and the enemy.  I believe in you and trust you. In your name I pray, Amen."