Faith

What is Faith?

I always thought faith was a mystery that I had to unlock until I had the revelation of what faith really is.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Faith is simply knowing about God and the seen and unseen things of God.

Abraham went to Moriah to sacrifice his son Isaac. He did this knowing that God is able to raise the dead so then Abraham knew that God is All-Powerful and can do anything including raising the dead.

Hebrews 11:19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

Rahab took in spies in her house. She hid them and helped them to escape. She knew that God had given the land of Jericho to the Israelites.

Joshua 2:8-9 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.

David knew that it was the Lord who had established him as King. And because David knew this he was not ashamed to dance his heart out for the Lord even in front of slave girls. Because David knew that it was the Lord who had established him, he planned to build a temple for God.

2 Samuel 5:12 And David knew that the Lord had established him as King over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.

Peter by the help of the Holy Spirit knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Anointed One. He knew that Jesus was the Saviour so even when other disciples left Jesus because of the things He said, Peter said he was not going anywhere.

John 6:66-69 From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him. “You do you want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

So now we know that those who were commended for faith are those who knew with certainty the nature, power, ability, wisdom etc of God both seen and unseen.

So then if one is to demonstrate faith they need to know God.

This knowledge comes by hearing the Word(s) of God.

It comes from reading the Bible to know who God is and what He says about Himself and also what He says about you.

Faith also comes from listening to the true servants send by God to preach because sometimes you may read the Bible and fail to understand. It happened to the Eunuch who was reading a passage from the book of Isaiah, he only understood after Phillip explained the meaning to him. Refer to Acts 8:26-35

However you should be careful of the yeast of the Sadducees, the teachings of false teachers who mix the truth with lies thereby introducing heresies.

Always seek the help of the Holy Spirit with regards to what to read, whom to listen to and which church or meetings to attend.

Why is it important to have faith?

1.       The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17 Galatians 3:11 Hebrews 10:38). Without faith life becomes really hard because all you will be looking at is what is seen which most of the times is discouraging and intimidating.

2.       Whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23) Some people boast that they are blessed when what they boast about they got it from stealing, bribery, flattery, lying etc. but faith is true because it is gained from hearing the Word of God and the Word of God is True.

3.       Without faith you cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6)

4.       With faith you can move mountains (Mathew 21:21)

What if you have faith and nothing changes?

You keep asking

You keeping seeking God

You keep believing and hoping; stable & unwavering like Abraham – he too waited many years before the promises of God in his life could be fulfilled.

Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience James 1:3

God bless