Jesus the Author and Finisher of Our Faith
The Christian life is not about adding to ourselves, but about advancing by faith in Christ, who is the source of our strength and sufficiency.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes that the Christian journey begins and progresses through faith, urging believers not to rely on their own strength but to trust in Christ for every step. He highlights the necessity of claiming grace, courage, love, and faith through faith in Jesus, who empowers us to live victoriously. Simpson reminds us that our lives should reflect Christ living in us, leading to a continuous song of reliance on Him. The essence of the Christian life is a daily walk with Jesus, fully dependent on His grace and presence.
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Add to your faith, do not add to yourself. This is where we make the mistake. We must not only enter the Christian life by faith, but we must advance by faith each step of the way. At every new stage we shall find ourselves as incompetent and unequal for the pressure as before, and we must take the grace and the victory simply by faith. Is it courage you need? You must claim it by faith. Is it love? You must seek to possess His love, and He will give it. Is it faith itself? You must have the faith of God, and Christ in you will be the spirit of faith as well as the blessing that faith claims.
So your whole life, from beginning to end, is but Christ in you-in the exceeding riches of His grace.
Thus your everlasting song will be: not 1; but Christ who liveth in me. 'Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus, Step by step and day by day; Stepping in His very footprints, Walking with Him all the way.
Sermon Outline
- Faith in the Christian Life points: - Entering the Christian Life by Faith - Advancing in the Christian Life by Faith
- The Importance of Faith points: - Faith as a Means of Obtaining Courage and Love - Faith as a Means of Obtaining the Blessing of God
- The Sufficiency of Christ points: - Christ as the Spirit of Faith - Christ as the Blessing that Faith Claims
Key Quotes
“Add to your faith, do not add to yourself.” — A.B. Simpson
“Thus your everlasting song will be: not I, but Christ who liveth in me.” — A.B. Simpson
“''Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus, Step by step and day by day;” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- As you face challenges in your Christian walk, remember to take the grace and the victory simply by faith.
- Seek to possess His love and He will give it to you.
- Your whole life, from beginning to end, is but Christ in you-in the exceeding riches of His grace.