12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Faith. There is first the saving faith that transforms a “dead” sinner to a new creature. There is rebirth. The sinner is now through faith saved. It's all by God's grace. But true saving faith begs repentance, and a change of heart. It is obedient to the Lord. It desires an increasing Lordship of Christ. Faith and Lordship go together (Romans 10:9,10).

Then there is the day-to-day faith that we exercise after we have been justified. Sometimes it is called the mustard seed faith (Luke 17:5,6).That is all we need, but don't leave it that tiny! It grows when we hear the Word of God (Romans 10:17), when we let the truth settle and become real in our heart. It is this faith that is tested when we go through difficult moments and fiery trials. It is this faith that is tested when no one understands us, or when we don't understand ourselves and our circumstances. But how we need this faith and trust in the Lord! And it so pleases the Lord when we trust in Him.

“Dear Father, faith is difficult to understand. But we know it pleases you when we have this trusting faith, when we embrace your Sovereignty and truly believe that nothing happens without going through Your holy filter of approval. This morning, I pray that all my children come to a saving faith and knowledge of You. And in so doing, I pray that they will joyfully submit their lives to You and continually desire you to be the center of their emotions and will. I pray too that they will love your Word, and that as they continue to hear it, to study it, your truth will take greater root with each passing year. And throughout all their life's circumstances, please help them to cling on to You, and to “fight the good fight of faith” till You call them Home. In Jesus' name I plead, amen.”

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