We all have “core values” that determine the way we think, and make decisions in our life. These are the beliefs that we live by and especially refuse to compromise on. When we look at our life of faith, we must have core values just the same as our values in our natural life. Colossians 3:16 says to us as believers, “let the word of Christ dwell in you ‘richly’ in all wisdom…” This implies that the word must be anointed to be effective in life, and that we will need His wisdom to know how, and when to apply that living word! The word “richly” is simple yet very intense for the believer, and it means “abundantly in supply, or more than enough for necessity.”
The core values of faith must be maintained in four area’s of our lives as believers. What I’m saying is this, you must have an abundant supply of the word in these four areas to maximize faith for the times we live in. There will come a time when I believe that the word of God will be so “valuable” that it will surpass the value of oil, gas, cars, houses, etc… and our hope is that Christians will recognize this and make the investment of their time and energy to have the word of Christ in them richly! The four areas I mentioned previously for faith to be maintained by our core values are as follows:
- Faith must be “rich in your head.” For the word to be in you richly, you’ll have to “put” faith in your head. This means to fill your thoughts up with the word, to submit your emotions to the word, and to “think” in line with Philippian’s 4:8. I know that faith is found in the “heart” but you have to renew your thoughts with the word and that’s why I say that faith must be “put into your “head.”
- Faith must be “rich in your heart.” The word dwelling in you “richly” would be to have your heart filled up to overflowing with the truth of the scripture. The overflow is how you maintain the connection with the next and previous areas.
- Faith must be “rich in your mouth.” Mark 11:22-24 declares that YOU must SAY to the mountains [problems] a faith command to be removed from your heart, and mind! This implies that the mountain is no longer a factor, nor a hinderance to your progress through life!
- Faith must be “rich in your hand.” The action of faith is carried out by an action following the words you speak out of your mouth.
I like to use the illustration of David and Goliath for this application. The word was richly found in David’s core values when he faced the giant. He “saw and heard” everything that was being said and done against the army of God. But the difference is that David had the word in his head, heart, mouth and hand! David’s mind was made up, and he faced this opposition with an edge not found in anyone else involved. David responed from his mouth what was thought out, believed and uncompromised in his heart, which is the Covenant of Israel with God! Then David took in “hand” a sling and a stone and defeated the adversary with one swift release of his faith.
There is no way a believer can have this kind of faith without a solid set of “core values” to base their decision to face an adversary. There are many enemies to faith, none of which are flesh and blood. The origin of all destruction is a well orchestrated plan of pricipalities, powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world working with the wicked spirits of the earth to carry out the purpose of satan himself. To face any one of their destructive devices you will have to develope some core values in your faith and let those values flow into every area of your being! I will share my personal “core values” in my next blog.
Keeping the faith,
RB
Last Updated: September 8th, 2008 |