Posted by We come to God through Faith.
Our relationship with God is based on faith. Faith is what connects us to the Kingdom of God for nobody can come to the Father without faith. In addition, we all have different measures of faith by the grace of God.
Hebrews 11:6. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Romans 12:3. “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Faith and the Holy Spirit.
Faith enables the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and this brings in gifts, abilities, spiritual blessings and anointings. Therefore, it is only through faith that we can experience the fullness, the presence and spiritual riches of the Kingdom of God.
Your faith is most precious than anything else. It’s also precious to the kingdom of darkness because the more you lack faith the more you are exposed to them. The main goal of the attack of the enemy is to kill your faith. When you are without faith you are disconnected to God, you become exposed to schemes of the enemy.
Only a sure foundation in Christ as your solid footing (1st Corinthians 3:11, 2nd Timothy 2:19) will make you stand.
1 Corinthians 3:11. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
2 Timothy 2:19. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
Take a look at the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-21, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15).
(A) A person who hears the word but doesn’t pay attention or ignores it is the seed that fell on the way. By not paying attention, the devil takes away the word. Jesus Christ likenes that to a seed that’s trodden upon and eaten by birds.
(B) Another person hears the word, and receives it but soon loses it, is the seed that was sown on stony ground. The seed lacks moisture and dies. This person received the word but the troubles and tribulations of this world made him forsake the word. He lost faith.
(C) The one who receives the word but after some time loses it due to life’s pleasures and indulgence, is the seed that was sown in thorny ground. The thorns choke the seed and it dies. He lost faith.
(D) A fourth person receives the word with gladness, accepts it and bears fruit. This is the seed planted on good ground and it grows and produces fruit. Notice that he heard and received the word, his footing was upon the sure foundation of Christ which is the WORD.
What we learn from the fourth person who is compared to seed that was sown in fertile ground:
- He is humble. The Lord resists the proud and uplifts the humble. (James 4:6, 1st Corinthians 1:19)
- On a daily basis he studies the word, he grows his faith
- He makes the word work for him by living the word
- Tribulations and difficult times do not shake, for he is sure footed in the word.
- He doesn’t abandon his faith because of the pleasures and indulgences of the world. He remains in Christ.
Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ kept his faith despite persecution, rejection, hunger and near-death tragedies. He preached the gospel far and wide despite the obstacles that were against him. At the end of his ministry, He has kept his faith.
2 Timothy 4:7. [7]I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
How to get and grow faith:
Feed your inner man with the word daily for faith comes by hearing the word of God.
Romans 10:17. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
You need the Holy Spirit as the voice of God and spiritual radar(guide) in this dark world. Listen to Him always. John 14:16,26 John 17:17, John 16:13, 1st Corinthians 2:13, Acts 16:6
John 14:16. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”
John 14:26. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
1 Corinthians 2:13. “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
Are you active in the Kingdom? The Kingdom needs prayer warriors (intercession), teachers, prayer and fasting, evangelists, pastors etc. The Kingdom also needs physical workers like cleaners, cooks, ushers, counsellors etc.
Watch who you hang around and what you entertain. Evil companions corrupt good morals.
1 Corinthians 15:33. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Your tongue can bless you or curse you. Watch what you speak, and watch who you speak to. Some will use it against you. (Proverbs 18:20:21, Deuteronomy 30:19.
Proverbs 18:20,21. 20A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Deuteronomy 30:19. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
The importance of Faith:
- Is the only way of coming to God in salvation.
- Attracts God’s attention and avails His power.
- When we demonstrate faith, those around us draw closer to God.
- Brings the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.
- Builds character
- Is a barrier against schemes and attacks of powers of darkness.
- Attracts the favor of God.
1. Is the only way of coming to God in salvation.
The word of God is powerful and living (Hebrews 4:12) When we reach out to those not born again, the word reaches out to their soul. The word received by the person builds their faith and they come to Christ.
Hebrews 11:6. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
2. Attracts God’s attention and avails His power.
Prayer is the communication channel to God. When we get into prayer in means that we bring our requests and petitions before our Heavenly Father. When prayer is done in faith and in His will, it gets God’s attention and He answers faithfully.
John 14:12,13. 12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
3. When we demonstrate faith, those around us draw closer to God.
As the body of Christ we not only win souls through preaching but also by our daily living. Our conduct and behavior draws others to Christ because the light in us cannot be hidden is walk in righteousness. The tough situations and trials are meant to glorify God and build the Kingdom. Let your lifestyle and how you respond to situations be a light unto others.
Matthew 5:16. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
4. Brings the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The faithful servant of God walks in righteousness through faith as enabled by the Holy Spirit. The Lord anoints such servants with gifts and special powers of the Holy Spirit. This is to equip them for the work of the Ministry. Such gifts are like prophecy, healing, word of wisdom, speaking and praying in tongues, discernment and many more.
Galatians 5:22,23. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
1st Corinthians 12:4-6. 4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
5. Builds character
Our testimonies not only defeat the enemy (Revelation 12:11) but also build our characters. Many times people end up regretting the decisions they made because they didn’t want to persevere or go through difficulties. Tough situations are meant to build our character and grow our faith more and more. With faith, we become more spiritually alert, become better intercessors, gain patience and mature in all aspects. Biblical examples are Job, Abraham, John the Baptist, David and many more.
6. Is a barrier against schemes and attacks of powers of darkness.
A life full of faith attracts a constant wall of protection by the power of God. A person who walks in faith is also obedient and righteous. In the book of 1st Samuel 15:23 we learn that rebellion is like witchcraft and God abhors it. Faith and obedience invites the presence of the Holy Spirit and the schemes of the enemy are defeated. A good example is Job.
Job 1:8-10. 8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
7. Attracts the favor of God.
Faith being our connector to God, means the ever presence of God in us through the Holy Spirit. This means that we are entirely dependent on our Heavenly Father for our daily provisions.
As David said, I was young and now am old. I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor his children begging for bread (Psalms 37:5)
James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
SHALLOM