What is it that the Lord wants from people? Nothing more, nothing less than faith. Oh, I know there are other aspects to holiness and righteousness, but at the most basic, the most fundamental, everything comes down to faith. Works never were and never will be the issue. As far as humans are concerned, the only issue that is ultimately determinative with God is faith.
It was that way in the beginning, it still is that way, and it will be until the end of time when all things are made new.
When Adam and Eve were in the garden, the issue to be decided was not whether or not they would toe the line of obedience, but whether or not they had confidence in what God said-- FAITH! To undermine them, the Devil had to first assault the character of God and pull the rug out from under their confidence in his word. That accomplished, disobedience was a foregone conclusion. In fact, it is impossible to remain obedient under testing if one has diminished or no trust in God's character (or name) and his word.
Our moments of trial and ordeal come down, not to our feats, but to our faith. Everyone needs, in those times in the valley of decision, to take stock of his or herself and talk to themselves about what they think of God and his word. When Eve did so, she talked herself clean out of faith: we need to learn from her error and instead choose to believe. It would have made the difference for her, it will definitely make the difference for us.
When Adam and Eve were in the garden, the issue to be decided was not whether or not they would toe the line of obedience, but whether or not they had confidence in what God said-- FAITH! To undermine them, the Devil had to first assault the character of God and pull the rug out from under their confidence in his word. That accomplished, disobedience was a foregone conclusion. In fact, it is impossible to remain obedient under testing if one has diminished or no trust in God's character (or name) and his word.
Our moments of trial and ordeal come down, not to our feats, but to our faith. Everyone needs, in those times in the valley of decision, to take stock of his or herself and talk to themselves about what they think of God and his word. When Eve did so, she talked herself clean out of faith: we need to learn from her error and instead choose to believe. It would have made the difference for her, it will definitely make the difference for us.
