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Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.  Matt. 7:7
"LIVING BY FAITH"
as published in Toms River Church of Christ bulletin
Hebrews 10:38 states: "the just shall live by faith."  That faith as described in the book of Hebrews brings our life into submission to God and continues in active trust till the very end. Chapter 11 presents the lives of people who lived by faith. There are three aspects of the life of faith as seen in that chapter:
  1.  There is a variety of details of living by faith. Life with Christ cannot be standardized. Christians are not obligated to duplicate each other's actions. Faith in God leads the individual to work for God in the way God specified. Abraham didn't build an ark. Noah never marched around the walls of Jericho but both lived by faith. My willingness to' respond to God's commands as they apply to my life. with my ability in His service is living by faith.
  2.  The life of faith involves ordinary, daily details. Christian, family living each day in the community is an example of our faith. How about Aquilla. and Priscilla? Some people talk of faith as if it's like taking off on a 747 jet airplane. Living by faith and sharing that faith every day of our life in ordinary circumstances is required of every Christian.
  3.  Faith means that we are willing to put our lives into God's hands. Entering God's service with nothing held back. To take away that participation reduces faith to an academic exercise. If we are moved to tears but not to action, our faith is mere sentiment. Failure is a result of disbelief  which results in disobedience. Study Jude 5 and Hebrews 3:15-19. The question concerning living by faith was not simply, "Did you cross the Red Sea?" but "Are you willing to walk daily with God who brought you across that sea?"


     Those of us who are older have a great resource identified as experience. That experience can be used to lend someone a word of encouragement. Wisdom and maturity can be shared With others to benefit from what you have learned through experience.

         The Bible contains sound advice on how to enjoy old age. Notice Paul's instructions to Titus concerning older men in chapter 2, verses 1-2, "But speak the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate sound in faith, in charity, in patience." To be worthy of respect you must show respect and act in a dignified manner. The admonition to be "sound in faith" is to have faith in God and Christ and access to eternal life. The role older  women occupy is described in verses 3-5, "The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior is becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Older Women are to teach both by example and by instruction. There's an emphasis in this passage on responsibilities and relationships in our physical families.

           Regardless of age, take interest in life and share your experience and wisdom with others. Believe in God's promises and accept the challenge of aging knowing "that your labor is not in vain in the Lord