1 John 5:4-5 – “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”  NKJV

It is my genuine desire that I, my family, and the Body of Christ rise above the theoretical into the realized experience of the Victorious Plateau of KNOWING who we are in Christ and fully enjoy, embrace, and experience our FULL INHERITANCE in Christ.  I would suggest a number of passages for you to read as you consider this topic:  [1 John 5:4-5; Hebrews 11:6; Mark 11:22; Galatians 2:20; Romans 10:17; Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:23] 

I believe it is obvious that FAITH is an absolutely essential quality or characteristic in the life of the Child of God. I also believe that DOUBT and UNBELIEF are incredible enemies of the life-walk of faith.  FAITH and DOUBT, to be active in a life must come out of the HEART.  Therefore, if I am to KNOW who I am in Christ and move from the theoretical to the experiential reality, there are some things that must happen in our lives.

• We must be Born-Again – – [1 Corinthians 2:14; John 3:3; John 10:27]
• We must apply ourselves to Discovering our Inheritance – – [2 Timothy 2:15]
• We must discipline ourselves to Do what He Directs – – [Romans 10:17; Luke 8:21; Matthew 21:29; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Psalm 119:11]

For Faith to become a reality in my life it must move from the theoretical (mental) into the experiential (heart) producing a settle confidence of knowing.  The ultimate result is that we must become one with Christ.  Therefore, there are a few obvious thing that must come into focus.  I believe there a number of Gates we should consider and be aware of beneficial to our understanding and spiritual progress.

There is the EYE GATE – – The Visual or what I see or allow myself to view.

There is the EAR GATE – – The audio, what I hear, listen to or allow myself to hear.

There is the MIND GATE – – The Imagination, that upon which I meditate and evaluate.

There is the WILL GATE – – This is my choices, that which I choose.

Everything that comes through the Gate of my eyes and ears enters into my mind affects my will or willing.  The Bible speaks to our response regarding what we allow, in Ephesians 4:27 we are instructed to give no place to the devil and in Matthew 5:29; 18:9 and Mark 9:47 give clear direction as to what we allow entrance through the Gates of Life.  In fact Philippians 4:8 gives an extensive list of things to allow in our minds for meditation and ultimate entry into our hearts.  If we think, meditate, study or ponder these things they will get into our hearts and then Proverbs 23:7 becomes reality and we become what we focus on or become transformed by those things.

When anything stands before my Eye Gate, Ear Gate or Mind Gate I can choose its disposition, but when it gets into my heart I may find that I need to be rescued from its destructive impact.  Remember it got there by an exercise of choice or My Will.  The Eyes and Ears can only report. The Mind meditates, contemplates, associates, connects and rationalizes.  The Will chooses according to its strongest foundation either the flesh or the spirit, the world or the word of God.  I would offer a word of caution, that you do not try to avoid the use of the various Gates but you allow the Holy Spirit to utilize them to build a strong foundation of the Will where we recognize, discern and properly respond to all things that come to us and through us.

The Psalmist prayed in Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”  And in Psalm 101:3 declared, “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes…”  Job spoke of making a covenant with his eyes and that is a promise I made to my wife when we married.  What we SEE, HEAR, and THINK have the potential to increase and strengthen our Faith or deter it.  If I see, hear, and think speaking fear, doubt, and question THEN I will choose that and DOUBT will reign in my heart.  But, if I address it when it is in my mind I can, by the help of the Holy Spirit, I can bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

I want to say more but will pause here for this devotional and ask that you digest what has been presented as the Holy Spirit moves you toward a strong condition of faith.  God bless you richly is my prayer!