TRANSLATION FAITH

1. There is so much said of FAITH and rightly so, it is the only way to PLEASE God, “But without FAITH it is impossible to PLEASE HIM: for he that COMETH TO GOD must BELIEVE THAT HE IS, and that he is a REWARDER of them that diligently seek him” [Hebrews 11:6] FAITH is the spiritual highway that links man to God and God is ONE, revealed in Jesus Christ. The destination of FAITH is God from who we departed through SIN and are reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ, “To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” [2 Corinthians 5:19] The spiritual odyssey of FAITH begins in this body and for those who endure to the end, the REWARD far exceed what we may ever ask or imagine; the REWARD of FAITH is God, as it is written: “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and THY EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD” [Genesis 15:1] The SUBSTANCE of our FAITH in this world is HOPE, sure HOPE of that glorious day when we shall be TRANSLATED to receive our “EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD”, “Now FAITH is the SUBSTANCE of THINGS HOPED for, the EVIDENCE of THINGS NOT SEEN” [Hebrews 11:1]

2. One thing is certain, we came into this world destitute of FAITH, our minds enslaved to SIN; carnally minded and disobedient to God, “Because the CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY AGAINST GOD: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” [Romans 8:7] We were all SINNERS not as much for what we did but who we were, having inherited nature of SIN through Adam and Eve [Genesis 3:1-13, Romans 5:12] God, whose nature is LOVE [1 John 4:8] paid off our SIN in Jesus Christ, “Herein is LOVE, not that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US, and sent HIS SON to be the PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS” [1 John 4:8] This is the GOSPEL preached in the name of Jesus Christ, how God so much LOVED US He presented Himself in Jesus Christ as RANSOM for SIN, “For GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life” [John 3:16] The LOVE of God kindles FAITH in men whenever and wherever the GOSPEL is preached, and by FAITH through GRACE were we “BORN AGAIN” into the FAMILY of God. We are SONS of God, SUBSTANCE of our existence is WALKING with God in HOPE of TRANSLATION at the appearance of Christ, “Beloved, now are we the SONS OF GOD, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when HE SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for we shall see him as he is” [1 John 3:2]

3. We knew so little of God when we came to Him through Jesus Christ, what was sown in us was very much the proverbial MUSTARD SEED, “… which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the LEAST OF ALL SEEDS: but when it is grown, it is the GREATEST among herbs, and BECOMETH A TREE …” [Matthew 13:31-32] Between the SEED and the TREE, we have very much to LEARN and DO to nurture our FAITH from PARTURITION to TRANSLATION. Take for instance, “BY FAITH ENOCH WAS TRANSLATED that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that HE PLEASED God” [Hebrews 11:5] ENOCH WAS TRANSLATED before time appointed for men because he PLEASED God! HOW, Enoch WALKED with God, “And ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD: and he was not; for GOD TOOK HIM” [Genesis 5:24] WALKING with God, simple as it seem, demands painful nonconformity with the world to present ourselves a “LIVING SACRIFICE” to Him [Romans 12:1-2] We are not doing a good job of WALKING with God if we are not “WAITING” on Him, that is, having the MIND of Christ to complement His SPIRIT in us. We have the example of Christ to help our “WAITING”, focusing on God to KNOW His MIND before batting an eyelid,  “…The SON CAN DO NOTHING OF HIMSELF, but what HE SEETH THE FATHER DO: for what things soever he doeth, these ALSO DOETH THE SON likewise” [John 5:19]

4. If we are WALKING with God, it may be “WAITING on God” holding us back from PLEASING Him; distracted to SLEEP with melodies of perceived SUCCESS/FAILURE within and UNCERTAINTIES without, “While the BRIDEGROOM TARRIED, they ALL SLUMBERED and SLEPT” [Matthew 25:5] We have fruits but cannot have FRUIT PLEASING to God until we are PURGED, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, HE PURGETH IT, that it may bring forth more fruit” [John 15:2] The Lord will do a “SHORT WORK” in our time, He will thoroughly PURGE our earthly sensibilities with the unsurpassed outpouring of His SPIRIT; the GREAT REVIVAL,  “Be PATIENT therefore, brethren, unto the COMING OF THE LORD. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the EARLY and LATTER RAIN. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the COMING OF THE LORD DRAWETH NIGH” [James 5:7-8] The drizzles are already falling, very soon showers of EARLY and LATTER RAINS of the HOLY GHOST shall fan our FAITH into roaring blaze of TRANSLATION FAITH. Let us be PATIENT in HOPE, earnestly preparing for the appearance of the Lord, we shall be TRANSLATED in a moment, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are CHANGED INTO THE SAME IMAGE FROM GLORY TO GLORY, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” [2 Corinthians 3:18]