A Relationship With Faith
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:22-23 (NASB)
The faith which I have, I have as my own conviction before God. I am happy when I don’t condemn myself in what I approve. How are convictions established before God? What brings condemnation? If doubt condemns me, it is because my action no longer proceeds from faith. What causes actions to separate from faith? The statement, ‘whatever is not from faith is sin,’ is both broad and narrow. It takes everything and condenses it to one thing – faith.
Faith includes personal convictions before God. It is in His presence that the certainty of His word is established within my heart. With an awareness of His indwelling presence, the sound and tone of His word is individualized and takes on the formation of personal convictions. Faith takes shape as He becomes my guide and compass. Permission is granted or denied as I learn the sound of His speaking voice within the pages of His written word. I fall in love with the word, not as a book, but as a Person. Convictions are established in fellowship with Him as He reveals the character of His word.
Living happily (without condemnation) and confidently (in my own convictions) rests in relationship with God. His presence reveals His word in such a way that my trust capacity is expanded. Belief turns to conviction and conviction turns to unshakeable faith. I learn to walk in the light that I have attained, without lagging behind or walking ahead. My conscience becomes His candle and He uses it to illuminate my path. The permissions and restrictions of others begin to have less effect on me. I live by the standard to which I have attained and allow others that same freedom.
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Philippians 3:15-16 (NASB)
If I walk outside of my own convictions then I undergo doubt. If I take an action without full persuasion or permission, then I will experience a backlash of condemnation. Not because the action was right or wrong, but because it did not proceed from faith. Relationship with God is a relationship with faith; faith increases as I distinguish His discernible voice in me. Faith brings freedom of movement; my gait glides along expansively as faith shines light further down my pathway.
As faith expands, I find that all things are lawful, and yet they may not promote my best interest or the best interest of others. Loving others is more important than exercising personal liberties. Therefore, I learn the wisdom of keeping certain freedoms private; my liberty may expand, but it is not intended to constrict another.
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Romans 14:13-14 (NASB)
Other people’s freedom does not need to mirror mine. The carnal flesh craves that kind of conformity because it has a false need for validation, but the spirit does not. The spirit trusts that relationship with the Lord will train each believer in their own matters of conscience. I can become an obstacle if I judge the conscience of another or disclose unnecessary knowledge about my own. Knowledge of my convictions may goad another to mimic my freedom, acting against their own conscience, and vice-versa. It is enough for each person to walk in their own light by faith. I don’t want to judge the light level of another or make unkind comparisons in order to gauge whose light bulb is using more faith-watts!
Likewise, people may unwittingly try to lead me along their path – but it is my faith that I live by, not theirs. If I try to walk their path then doubt will gain mass. Questions will dizzy my head. The questions will breed confusion and the confusion will paralyze mobility. Instead of proceeding in the spirit, I will recede into the flesh. Questions multiplied by the flesh will remain in play until I am returned to His voice in me rather than inadvertently relying upon His voice in another. The Lord eliminates every question but His own– which is the only question He asks me to answer.
Condemnation is a by-product of doubt and doubt occurs in the absence of personal conviction. Personal convictions are forged in the redeeming fires of intimacy. We are drawn to Him like a moth to a flame. It is only the flesh that fears His closeness; the spirit welcomes His imprint like the seal of the King’s ring in hot wax.
The spirit does not fear the flame that heats the wax. It welcomes the signet of the King’s ring as an imprint of His likeness. The King’s ring bears a symbol that authenticates His ownership and the surety of His word, and that becomes the guarantee of a future promise. And so I draw near in the absence of fear. I allow Him to fire up His word, to forge personal convictions, and to be the One who makes both you and I stand firm in Christ.
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV)