Lee McDowell Christian
Ministries LMCM
Nacogdoches,
Texas Gal. 2:20 KJV
Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 29
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life
Ministries International
Littleton, Colorado
(303) 972-0859 almi@abidinglife.com
DAY 100
Flesh Is The Opposite Of Faith
Now faith is the
assurance of {things} hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
The fruit of the
Spirit is also the opposite of flesh, which
may attempt to imitate fruit of the Spirit in the power of self. It is
hard to grasp, but a
fleshly person is one who attempts to have love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in the power of
self. The fruit of the
Spirit must come naturally and must be genuine. See how plastic the Hare
Krishna folks, the Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormons, Humanists, and all other
cults look when trying to manifest the fruit of the Spirit? Flesh is attempting to look
good, but it is flesh nonetheless, and it has Christians working for what has
already been given. This work, the opposite of faith, keeps us from
experiencing what is only given by faith. To have failed, and then to punish ourselves in order to
have God see us, and to plead with Him for restoration, is working in
unbelief for what we have already freely been given. The work is keeping us so busy that
we do not have time to stop and recognize that we were never cut off. It can sound so good to work for
the things of God, to attempt to take hold of them in our power, but remember,
the best of the flesh is the worst of it. Flesh is the opposite of
faith.
On
a couple of other “days” Michael has defined “flesh” as: “The flesh is the body, mind, will, and
emotions of man under the control of something other than Jesus.” Very simple.
Very exact.
Let’s
itemize some important truths Michael lists above:
1. Flesh and faith are opposites.2. There is no hope in flesh.
3. Faith has hope in all things.
4. Faith is Hebrews 11:1.
5. Faith believes what has been given.
(whoa! That’s a mouth full. “what has been given.” Think about that. Faith is in something God has given us, even though we may not have “received” it yet…in other words, haven’t “seen” it yet. FAITH IS NOT “just hoping” for something, or “claiming” it.)
6. Faith is given.
(wait a minute! I don’t have to “work up” faith?!? Nope. It
is a “given.” BIG truth! God gives faith to His kids WHEN we believe
Him. We believe, He gives faith to
secure/lock-in our believing…it has become a conviction! Check it out throughout Scripture…God gives
faith. Man does not, and cannot, “work
up”/”create”/”do enough” to get faith.
It is always a gift from God.)
Illus: when I believed in my spirit
the record God has given of His Son, Jesus, and believed Jesus is “the
way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Him,” (my “believing”
is rock solid because it is founded on The Solid Rock), THEN God gave me
His Faith to secure my belief…no moving from believing
that Truth…remember, it had become a conviction. AND, God goes one step further, He gave
me, the new Believer, the gift of The Holy Spirit to seal my new faith
and my salvation (eternal life).
Wow! (there are more “gifts”
that come with the Holy Spirit, but they are “after” the moment of
salvation). DO BELIEVERS HAVE FAITH
that we will go to Heaven one day? Absolutely. Why?
Because God has promised it. We
believed His promise. He has secured it
in our hearts with His Faith…no shaking that or moving us from it!
7. We Believers should give up trying to “work
for” (in unbelief) something that God has already given us! AND THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING AFTER SALVATION…
Yellow – VIP, Very
Important Point Green – IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest
Promises
Turquoise – UR,
Unfathomable Riches Pink – PV,
Priceless Victory
Lee McDowell Christian
Ministries
P. O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches, Tx 75963 936-559-5696
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