Matthew 19:17

And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

We left off yesterday with the issue concerning pride of life and how those people do not feel like they need God. That sounds like they are a god unto themselves. I am good equals I am god in their actions and motivations.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Heaven forbid that those who have the pride of life would ever consider that anyone could look inside their heart and discover their true agenda. It might well be that many people are not aware of their agendas because those things can change as we mature, grow older and are more or less capable.

For people of faith I would hope that their agenda is to love God and obey what He is asking of them. That is my hope but not a thing within my control. I can only answer for myself.

1 Thessalonians 5:24

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

1 Corinthians 1:9

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have been talking about the testing of our faith and if we compare our faithfulness to that of Jesus we will always see ourselves coming up short, maybe even getting a failing grade. The Lord loves us and does not want us to feel like failures. If we believe that God is faithful and that we are called, then believe this, His success is not dependent on our performance.

At one time in my life a friend said this to me; “We are at a Jesus concert and while I am in the nose bleeds, you have a front row seat.” My answer to him was “Buy a better ticket.”

Joshua 7:13

Get up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, God of Israel, “There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.”

That may be old school but it is still true.

2 Thessalonians 1:3

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

The only things that are alive grow. 

Daniel 4:17

This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

When the lost first come to Christ and are born again, their spirit quickens, becoming alive in Christ. We had little understanding, little faith and little love. All of that grew as we grew in faith. We changed from faith to faith. We matured and our love expanded from just loving God to loving what God loves.

All this became possible because we placed our faith in Christ.

By faith I believe that these articles are sent to the lost. How can they receive it if their faith is still dead? They might say they have faith, but what does dead faith gain them?

James 2:14-26

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Faith will sow according to where it is planted. Place faith in the stock market and it sows either riches or bankruptcy with no guarantee of either. It is beyond the control of the investor.

Plant faith in Christ and what He sows is within His control but we know by the scriptures what His purpose and intent can produce. That is a bride betrothed to Himself and glory to the Father.

If the lost understood that from the beginning they might not choose to place their faith in Christ.

This is why Jesus reached out to the oppressed because they desired with all their heart a better life. Those with pride of life will not seek a better life.