True Religion

This week my eyes dropped the scales as far as 'works' go.  
Although I've been born again, saved from eternal damnation, living in the light, I've always thought subconsciously that 'works' tip the scale as far as blessing and the heaven bound road. And they do! but not like I've imagined it.
When I practiced an old religion, I always believed that being a good person is all God wanted from me. Not repentance,since my good really out-weighed my bad.  Somehow I carried this into my conversion experience.  When things went bad, it usually was because I was doing something wrong. When things went good it was because I was doing good. Yet through it all I have known that Jesus is the only way to heaven.  Along the way my faith has gotten complicated, not simple at all, especially when it comes to my life.

As I've read my bible this year it's hit me like a shock wave that these heroes of faith were pretty flawed individuals, like me.  It knocked me over to see that some of them DID NOT deserve the blessings they received. And in a child like faith I received these inevitable truths:  
1. That God loves me, that he can love me as much as the Queen of England and for us both Jesus died. 
2. That God uses fallen people, weak people, anybody he wants to use to fulfill his purpose here on earth, despite our efforts, decisions or rebellions.
3. That I might as well ask for Gods will and blessing for my life, and rest in his arms with a grateful heart.

Naked Faith

                               =FORMULA FOR NAKED FAITH=
Humility: James 4:10 'Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he shall lift you up
Purity: Mat. 5:8  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God
Perseverance: Eph.6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Had that thought today about faith; sometimes its 'naked' kind of like Adam & Eve when they strolled through the Garden and walked with God.  They were naked and all was well.  God saw their love and devotion and all three were bless.

So what does Naked Faith look like?

It might have many faces; some sweet, some worn out & beaten or some beautifully aged through years of the battle. It's like a little child who trusts his parent without question. Maybe it's like the virgin bride who gives herself completely and whole heartedly to the man she waited for.  Sometimes naked faith is viewed in a sin full woman that has been uncovered and the whole world sees her filth and all she can do is bow her head in shame as she waits for the first stone to be cast. Yet in her nakedness Jesus covered her with the garment of his blood and in that moment her whole life is washed clean and when she raises her eyes they are full of hope and love and faith for this man who risked his life for her.  Naked faith is seen in that soldier of the cross that fell and stumble in the snares and affairs of life and desperately reaches up to take the hand that will support him through the rest of his journey.

And finally naked faith is in the faithful saint that year after year carries his cross and stays in the battle hoping only for the eternal crown of glory.  Days when he unashamedly cries out for help and God rescues him and the moments when he courageously stands up against the assault of this world. When he has no other recourse sometimes but to be vunerable and be made a target of the enemy yet in naked faith he will demonstrate his place with God.

That's naked faith! Have you seen it? or experienced it?