Simple Enough to Stumble over

Jesus came to give us the life of heaven, and that’s why he told us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Mat 6:10 The kingdom of heaven is the rule in the reign of the Holy Spirit within the hearts and minds of those who believe. The kingdom of heaven enables those who believe to live in the peace and joy of knowing they are righteous in God’s sight.

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

To many, the concept of faith sometimes seems fairytale-ish, so simple that many stumble over it. Unfortunately, many people consider faith as some work they are to accomplish versus surrendering to this what already is! Therefore, to experience the powerful life that faith can bring, a person must have a humble, childlike heart. Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 

Many try to earn God or figure him out instead of simply believing him. Jesus, speaking to the most religious and self-righteous people of his day, said, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” Matthew 21:31 Why were these “sinful” people getting into the kingdom before those who seemed like they were so righteous? The answer is simple; the prostitutes and tax collectors knew they were sinners and were willing to believe and do what Jesus told them.

Faith is so essential that the writer of Hebrews said, “And without faith, it is impossible to please God. For those who come to him must believe that he is and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

True Christianity is when life is no longer about us. It’s when we no longer trust in our good deeds or lack thereof. Yes, true Christianity is trusting God completely! Talk about freedom! :-) What an amazing and glorious life it is!

The children of Israel were called God’s very own but often refused to trust him fully. Carefully ponder what God said through the apostle Paul here in Romans 9.

What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of trusting in him. They stumbled over the Great Rock in their path. Romans 9:30-32 (NLT)

Many misconstrue what faith is and have fallen into Satan’s trap of works and performance. People often put their trust in their effort to have faith instead of surrendering or recognizing what already is! Recognizing the reality of God within you and all around you is the beginning of tapping into the glorious life Jesus came to give us!

When you know you haven’t done it all right but are willing to surrender to the reality that you are perfect in God’s sight is when the crazy-wonderful life of heaven begins to be your reality! Remember, the me I see is the me I’ll be. When you believe what God says about you, you become who God says you are!

Being right with God and living a life that looks like him is not accessed by any self-effort or works! Faith alone escorts you into the abundant and powerful life of God! Because the idea of faith is so simple, many stumble over it and continue down the destructive road of self-righteousness and personal effort.

My dear friend, there is no better time than right now to take inventory of what you believe. Are you trusting in your ability to be right with God or in the fact that, through the sacrifice of Jesus, God has already made you right with him?

It is essential to note that faith is something you can continually grow in for the rest of your life. There is not a place of arrival but rather an ever-increasing life that brings you deeper and deeper into the love of God! Trusting in self will always produce fear, worry, anxiety, etc., whereas trusting in God will always bring life and peace! I hope you are paying careful attention to these powerful truths because this whole thing of faith is...

Simple Enough To Stumble Over