10.16

Once More on the Source of Faith "Then He who sat on the throne said "Write, for these
words are true and faithful" Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true" So
then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Revelation 21:5; 22:6; and
Romans 10:17)"

Jesus is the faithful and true witness, who gives us the reliable truth that we must have
in order to find life and live life as God intended. "Jesus Christ, the faithful witness,
the Faithful and True Witness. And He was called Faithful and True" (Revelation 1:5; 3:14;
and 19:11). Faith toward Him develops in our lives, as we see His faithful and true
character. His word is a vital part of this process, since it has the same character that
He has (faithful and true). "Write, for these words are true and faithful… These words are
faithful and true."

When people humbly receive the word of God, the Scriptures change their lives. This is how
we started out with God: "Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but
incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because 'All flesh
is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and
its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.' Now this is the word
which by the gospel was preached to you" (1 Peter 1:23-25). We were born again into the
family of God in conjunction with the incorruptible, living, eternal word of God being
planted like a seed into our lives. This occurred when we heard the gospel. We then
believed the good news of Jesus Christ, and this gospel seed germinated within us unto
life eternal.

After being born again by grace through faith in Christ, God's plan was that we continue
to respond to His word (like those in Thessalonica did). "For this reason we also thank
God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us,
you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also
effectively works in you who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13). These saints welcomed the
Scriptures into their lives. They knew that it was not a mere human message. They knew it
was from the Lord. They were eager to hear it and to rely upon its life-nurturing message.
Therefore, it effectively worked in their hearts, as they believed in the truths they were
hearing. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Initially and
continually, faith comes by hearing the faithful and true words of God, and that faith
accesses grace.

"Dear Lord, even as You are faithful and true, so Your word is faithful and true. I began
by a faith that was stirred through the gospel message of Your word. I know that I can
only grow in faith as I humbly receive Your word into my life day by day. Lord, I long to
live by faith that I might grow in Your grace, in Your holy name, Amen."