Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Faith That Makes a Difference




What is your explanation of faith?  I know some of what God’s Word says about faith, for instance in Hebrews 11:1 it says this, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

But how would you describe it in your own words?  Have you ever sat down and wrote out, in your own words, what faith means to you?  I have another question, have you applied to your life what you believe is true faith?  The word faith gets thrown around in Christian circles many times but I wonder how many really live by faith, or is it just a word?  It is hard for me to believe that the majority of the believers live by faith because of the little evidence of it in our world.  Don’t get me wrong I am not criticizing or mocking the church, I am just trying to be honest and bring this issue out in the open.

The Bible says this in Luke 17:5-6, Jesus talking to His apostles, “And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’  So the Lord said, ‘If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.’”

In this context the apostles wanted more faith to forgive and so do we but not just to forgive, we need faith to live a victorious Christian life in every area.  According to this it is not the size of faith you have, it is relying on what little faith you do have.  It is biblical that every believer has some faith but how many apply the faith they have?  It says this in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

No believer has any excuse for not walking in faith.  So if all believers have a measure of faith then why do so many believers seem to be walking around defeated and sick, with very little joy in their lives?  The Word says this in Psalms 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.”

It also says this in Isaiah 53:5, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”  With His (Jesus’) stripes we are healed which meant every kind of healing, so why are so many believers sick?  I believe it is a lack of faith and trust in many cases.  Or maybe many are praying for something that has been done instead of praying for the outer appearance to be gone.

I read about a lady that had a goiter on her neck, if I remember right because it was a long time ago when I read about it.  She went around telling people that she was healed but everyone could see the goiter so they didn’t believe her.  So she started praying, not to be healed, she already believed that she was healed, but that God would take the results of the goiter away, which was the swelling on her neck.  He did, praise the Lord, and then people believed her when she said she was healed.

Maybe we ought to think and pray differently about healings, and back our prayers up with faith.  It seems to me that when faith is applied, along with the truth of the word, which is what God promised, God will move on our behalf, so try it, what do you have to lose?  Question: have you moved any mountains lately or up-rooted any trees, in other words, have your prayers been answered lately?  

Genuine faith makes a big difference in a believer’s life and also in the world.  When the disciples walked in faith it was said by some that they turned the world upside down.  It is time for the church today to be accused of the same thing.  So if you are a believer, start turning the world upside down by walking in faith.  Something to think about!  May God bless you and yours and have a super day. P.S. Don’t forget to put on the whole armor of God today and take up the shield of faith so that you can fight off the fiery darts of the evil one!!  And don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord.                 


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