Faith implies four things

Billy Graham

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen.”
—HEBREWS 11:1

Faith implies four things: self-renunciation, reliance with utter confidence on Christ, obedience, and a changed life.

To have faith implies self-renunciation. The problems of the world are not from without. They are not political, social, or economic in origin. Christ said that all of these evil things come from within. Our soul has a disease called sin.

What is sin? Sin is transgression, lawbreaking, coming short of God’s standards. You break a law of your country and you are a lawbreaker. You break the moral law of God and you are a lawbreaker. Every person who has ever lived is a lawbreaker; he or she is a sinner in God’s sight.

Christ did not die by accident. He died voluntarily in our place. God took all of your sins and laid them on Christ. God says He will not forgive you, He will not transform you,  He will not give you the peace and joy that you search for, until you choose between your sins and Christ. The moment you turn from your sins and turn to Christ, you are forgiven.

He can break the chain of every sin that binds you if you are willing to give it up. The moment you receive Christ by faith, He comes into your heart and gives you power to overcome sin.

Second, faith implies reliance with utter confidence in Christ. Although we cannot see Him, hear Him, or touch Him, we can believe in Christ and rely upon Him.

Third, faith implies obedience; and obedience implies action. We must be faithful to put the teachings of Christ into practice in our daily lives.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I fall
short of Your standards. Show me how I can obey You
more fully and more faithfully each day, in Jesus’ name.

Amen