The characters in the biblical texts
surrounding the birth of Christ reveal much to seeking minds and hearts about
what it means to walk by faith and thus be agents of God’s redemptive workings in
a fallen, difficult world.
1.
Sometimes
faith stays and trusts God to intervene and be faithful over long periods of
time even when life seems unfruitful, dry, and obscure (Zechariah and Elizabeth
in Luke 1:5-25).
2. Sometimes
faith believes God to do the impossible (Mary in Luke 1:38).
The “how” of belief versus the “how” of unbelief. Zechariah's "how" showed unbelief, thus Gabriel's rebuke (I am Gabriel and I stand in the presence of God). Mary's "how" came from a believing heart.
3. Sometimes
faith forces one to change life plans and directions (Joseph in Matthew
chapters one and two).
4. Sometimes
faith separates self from the flesh and the shot-term trappings of this world
(Mary and Joseph in Matthew 1:25).
5. Sometimes
faith acts immediately on a word from God and shares the good news of Jesus
with others (the shepherds in Luke 2:8-20).
6. Sometimes
faith keeps God’s Word and workings close to one’s heart, meditating and
pondering on what God has done (Mary in Luke 2:19).
7. Sometimes
faith remains in difficulty for a long time, trusting God and slowly
influencing others (Anna and Simeon in Luke 2:21-38).
8. Sometimes
faith comes to new realizations, new dimensions of worship, and new dimensions
of giving to God and others (Wise Men in Matthew 2:1-12).
What
does God require for you to walk by faith?
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