EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH
Motto of faith: 'Not I but Christ'
By Russell S. Pang
If we were asked, "What is faith?" would we reach for our dictionary or our Bible?
One faith definition: "Belief and trust in God." Hebrews 11 defines faith: "Being certain of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
If the next question asked is "How does faith in God grow?" how would we respond?
Would one response be daily prayer? Daily Bible reading? Daily praising God? Daily thanking God? Daily honoring God?
If the third question asked, "is there a phrase that could inspire faith in God daily," what would we say?
Would some answers be: Trust and obey, focus on Jesus, God is love, amazing grace, great is thy faithfulness?
In "Abide in Christ," Andrew Murray wrote: "To deny, to hate, to forsake, to lose his own life, such is the secret of the life of faith. I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me."
"Not I but Christ." Is this motto our heart attitude and desire?
Jesus told his disciples: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."
"Not I but Christ." Are we worshipping Jesus as living sacrifices?
Paul said: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
"Not I but Christ." Are we filled with the presence of Jesus?
Jesus challenges us: "If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."
"Not I but Christ." Will Jesus always be our first love?
Jesus commands us to prioritize our lives by "seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" and not the cares of this world.
"Not I but Christ." Are we obeying Jesus completely or selectively?
Is Jesus the primary reason we live?
Russell Stephen Pang is a member of First Presbyterian Church. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes submissions from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.
