St. Matthews Anglican Church - Riverview, Florida
St Matthews Newsletter - June 2004
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh
to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) By faith Abraham went to a new land and established a mighty people. We see that it was in faith that the children of Israel left Egypt and were able to inhabit the Promised Land. It was with faith that the prophets of the Old Testament were able to stand for God and speak out against those who were ungodly and call them to repentance lest they see the wrath of God for their lack of faith and rebellion against Him. Through faith in God, the children of Israel waited patiently for God's deliverance when they were carried away into captivity and were rewarded and brought back again in due time. In the New Testament we see that Jesus was always pleased when He met those who had faith in God. He was amazed that those who were not a part of the chosen people of Israel seemed at times to have more faith than those who were a part, including many of the religious leaders of the day. We see that the Centurion, Jairus (the leader of the synagogue) and the woman with the issue of blood were all rewarded and commended for their faith in the face of those who told them that what they believed in was foolish. The fact is that God rewards the faithful and is disappointed and
grieved by those who do not place their faith in Him. When one does
not place his faith in God he basically questions His existence
or His concern for humanity. This grieves God for not only does
He love us but wishes that all of us would be with Him in eternity.
It was for the love of us that Christ died on the cross in our stead
so that the sin, which separated us from God, could be removed if
we believed in Him and had a repentant heart. In the world we live in we see our faith tested every day. This world we live in today, unfortunately, is one where terrorists have no regard for life, the economy seems to be shaky at times, and even the climate we live in seems to be unstable. We must have faith that God cares for us and will always be with us to see us through whatever good or bad comes our way. The people of God must remember that "the just shall live by faith (Hebrews 10:38 KJV)" and that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Father Bill
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