Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
The just shall live by faith.
Habakkuk 2:4
Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.
We live by faith in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus the anointed of God. We live because Jesus died in our place. Throughout the Old and the New Testament faith allowed God to act in the lives of humanity. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Romans 4:1-8 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. David Celebrates the Same Truth 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
Abraham believed and it was counted to him as righteousness.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
When we turn form the beggarly things offered by the idols of this world to the one true God we are saved by our faith in Him.
Matthew 13:54-58 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” 57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” 58 Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Our unbelief in Him stops His character from developing in us through the teachings and guidance of Holy Spirit within us.
Matthew 16:15-17 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
The Father opens our eyes to the truth of our salvation in Jesus the Christ.
John 11:25-27 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
The family of Lazarus recognized Jesus as the Christ the Son of God and their faith in Him allowed Lazarus to be raised from the dead.
Acts 8:36-37 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
In order to be saved we must believe in the Son, sent by the Father, the anointed of Holy Spirit. In the manner that we receive the Good News of salvation, is the manner that we can receive from the very hand of God in our lives. Carla
Peter reaffirms Jesus’ identity as Messiah. In response, Jesus promises to establish His church in an enduring way through Peter.
The Greek word used here, christos, meaning “Christ,” “Messiah,” or “anointed one,” is equivalent to the Hebrew, mashiach, which primarily describes kings in the Old Testament. This is the second such confession by Jesus’ disciples. Jesus’ Declaration at Caesarea Philippi is In contrast to the pagan gods associated with their surroundings at Caesarea Philipp.Faithlife Study Bible
The Spirit of grace revealed to Peter the true identity of the Lord Jesus.
Son of the living God refers to Jesus’ deity. Several factors point to this conclusion: (1) He was born of a virgin (1:18–20); (2) He was called Immanuel, meaning “God with us” (1:23); (3) the title in Greek is emphatic: “the Son of the God, the living One”; and (4) later passages describe Christ as God (John 20:27–29).
People do not come to faith in Jesus Christ by scrutiny or searching, but by the Father’s revelation of the Son to them (John 6:65).The NKJV Study Bible
Galatians 1:15–16 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus.Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
“As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you." In this quote, Christian author C. S. Lewis gives us some profound words to meditate on concerning pride.
Despite human defiance, God ensured His command for humanity to fill the earth would be fulfilled. And to ultimately redeem humanity, God was already putting His plan into motion through Shem's descendants, who would lead to Abraham (Genesis 11:10-26; Genesis 12:1-3) and eventually to Jesus Christ as the Messiah (Matthew 1:1)!
In gratitude for His endless mercy, may all God's people say, "To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!" (Psalm 123:1). First5
“May I live this day compassionate of heart, clear in word, gracious in awareness, courageous in thought, generous in love.” (Thank you John O’Donohue)
Amen. And yet, there are times when our kindness "immunity system" feels compromised and overwhelmed—from exhaustion, or division, or pettifoggery.
And we give way to choices that break us down (weaken us), rather than build us up. So. It is no surprise that we miss seeing, and we miss giving, and we miss receiving, kindness.
A compromised immune system has been on my mind these recent days, and I’ve been doing my best to take heart in (and practice) all the ways that immunity, and well-being, can be restored. Yes, ways to stay hydrated—physically, emotionally and spiritually.
"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, a heart of grace, and a soul generated by love." Coretta Scott King wrote. And this is a perfect reminder about what keeps us restored. Yes, spiritual hydration. Sabbath Moments
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