That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:12)
As I observe the condition the world is in and how it has defiled the American Church, I see a disturbing reality in the body of Christ.
We have become slothful. Not slothful in our labor and work ethic. In fact the American Dream offers an opportunity to all Americans, no matter your race or sex. It is the opportunity and belief that if you work hard you will attain your dreams.
If you pull yourself up by your boot straps, and work by the sweat of your brow, no matter what you encounter you can work your way through to success.
The only problem is, no matter how noble this is, this belief is not Gods best for you. God never intended for you to live by the sweet of your brow. In fact this is part of the curse. (Genesis 3:17-19)
No we have become slothful in living our lives by faith. We have substituted living by faith, with living by a hard work ethic. We have turned our faith into a religion based on works, and labor, thus performing for, and trying to earn the blessing of God.
Romans 1:17 declares "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
In God's Word are promises He has given to us. These promises impact every area of our lives.
Look at what 2 Peter 1:4 tells us; "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
God's promises impart His divine nature, His blessing, His life, His ability, His provision, His deliverance, His salvation into every area of your life.
Look at Deuteronomy 28:1-2. Here we read: "And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God."
The work we are to do, is to diligently labor in the Word of God. Find out what He has promised us, and then through faith and patience inherit, or take these promises as ours.
There is a promise from God that will cover every aspect of your life. We need to find these promises. Put them in our hearts, and believe them.
Jesus said in Mark 11:24 "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them."
What are we to believe? We are to believe that we receive. That is what faith is. Believing we receive.
We are to be diligent at believing we receive the promises of God. Once we believe we received, then we are to allow patience to work. Patience allows our faith to manifest what God has promised us.
Now I am not advocating not working with our hands. In fact the Word of God tells us in Ephesians 4:28 "....: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."
We must be willing to work with our hands the thing that is good, so that we have something to give, not to just provide for our family. God is our provider, and we must spend our time diligently seeking Him to see how He has chosen to provide for life.
There is a better way to live. Lets be diligent in seeking out His Word. Lets be a people who live by faith, not by works. As we believe His Word, we will see His blessing go to work in our lives causing us to rise above and live victoriously in this earth.
