Established in Faith

Romans 1:11 
"For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;" NASB

“For I am yearning to see you, that I may impart and share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen and establish you;” Amplified

This is an interesting passage of Scripture. We are established and strengthened by receiving a spiritual gift.

Are we established by having the gift, or are we established by using the gift? Our righteousness is not based on works but on faith. But if we have faith, works will follow. So works play into our faith.

When we have faith, we are confident, we have assurance and quit striving. We rest with this confidence and assurance. Hebrews 4:2,3;11:1

Using our faith with the gift we have builds confidence with the success that comes from the grace of God. If we don't use our gift the assured confidence slips away. It is important to use what we have received from the Lord. Now if we don't have opportunity to use our gift then the assurance will stay with us.

Christians are known by their love. When we are able to minister to others in love, we are expressing our Christianity. (working in love and faith.) Ministering to others in love establishes us in the faith.

Further reading:

Romans 16:25

1 Thessalonians 3:2;12,13

2 Thessalonians 2:17;3:3

James 5:8

1 Peter 5:10

2 Peter 1:12

ONE THING

There are 2 passages of Scripture that speak directly of this. Psalm 27:4 and Philippians 3:13. I was reading Psalm 27 in my normal Bible reading and the first 3 verses really stood out to me.

Psalm 27:1-3

“The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident. “

It was the power of these Scriptures that made me take notice and look for what was the reason for the confidence and lack of fear or worry in the midst of great opposition.

Psalm 27:4 is the answer. One thing David asks for. To be with God always. When we are with God who can be against us. This is the key to life in my estimation. Our life is better and fulfilled when we are serving instead of just taking. It is much better to give than to receive. Thought all of us need to receive at times.

Why do I say this?

Philippians 3:13,14

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Being with God will entail serving or seeking Him. So the “One Thing” of the Bible is being with God and pressing into the things God has for us to serve Him.

God has laid hold of us to walk in grace by living sensibly, righteously, and Godly Titus 2:12. He has laid hold of us to go, Matt 28:19. He has laid hold of us to be ambassadors to the world 2 Cor. 5:20. We are to be a light in the world. Matt. 5:16

But all this activity will come to naught if we neglect the one thing God has for us and that is to dwell with Him, and get our nourishment from Him and all we have comes from Him. James 1:17.

Use this nourishment to give to others as you are called in Him. Then the nourishment will continue to flow.

Satisfaction does not come from pleasing yourself, it comes from serving others from the leading of the Spirit in our life as we rest in Him.

With this resting in Him and pressing into what He has for us will give us the confidence and peace to live. Psalm 112:7

Areas for Discipleship / Christian growth

Salvation
Assurance of Salvation
Sanctification
Communion
Water baptism
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Confidence in the Bible / Scriptural Authority
Bible reading
Recognize the voice of the Lord
Hearing God
Faith to live by
Bible Study
Sound doctrine
Refute those who teach wrong doctrine
Bible meditation, memory
Tithing / giving
Fellowship
Worship
Being yoked with Jesus
Lordship of Jesus
The Cross of Christ
Being yoked with others
Loving others
Unity of the Faith
Submitting to others
Willingness to roll up your sleeves and go to work
Operating in the fruits 1 Peter 1, Gal 5
Operating in the gifts of the Spirit 1 Cor Eph Rom 12
Understanding personal calling
Relationship with the Lord God Son and Holy Spirit.
Quiet time
Time of Prayer
seeking God
fasting
Living in expectation of God doing something in the next moment of your life.
Waiting and Expectant for God's movement
Divine encounters with other people
Prayer list and pray for those throughout your life.
Have a journal of life experiences, hopes victories concerns failures.
Repentance
Forgiveness
Steps of discipleship: from new convert to a leader and functioning in gifts God has called them.
Money - 5 Aspects - poverty, stewardship, abundance, contentment, job/carrier
Meet the needs of the poor
Spiritual warfare / intercession


Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
Meditation
Prayer
Fasting
Study
Simplicity
solitude
Submission
Service
Confession
Worship
Guidance
Celebration

Anyone have any additions or comments?