Anchor Texts – Hebrews 11:1-6, 2 Peter 1:5-11.
Faith is an integral part of our Christian living. In fact, it is the only way recorded to please God – Hebrews 11:6. Thus, it is safe to say that anything done outside of faith is unpleasant unto God. God is Spirit and they that interact with Him must prosecute that divine communication in the Spirit – this is why we pray to One whom we do not see. Now, that is faith. How do you communicate with One whom you do not see physically? It takes faith and this is, like love, a crucial fruit of the spirit.
What is Faith?
- Faith is believing the unseen.
- Faith is a substance [of hope] held unto for something that is yet to appear in the physical. Hebrews 11:1.
- Faith is your proof that God exists. Hebrews 11:1.
- Faith is the bedrock of our salvation. Ephesians 2:8, Romans 4:16.
Case Studies
- Abraham – Romans 4
He staggered not at the promises of God through unbelief. Although Go promised Abraham, he had a role to play, that is to believe in the One who has promised. Do you believe in what God has revealed to you or spoke to you about? Abraham sure did, regardless of his dead body (being about 100 years old) or the deadness of Sarah’s [his wife’s] womb vs 19. - Noah – Genesis 6
Noah displayed what I call “consistent faith”. He patiently waited for the promise of God to be fulfilled by waiting for the rain that destroyed the entire world. For 120 years, he kept on receiving detailed instructions from the Lord on how to build the ark. He was mocked and shamed, yet, he never lost his focus. How long can you hold on to the promise of God for your life and destiny? - Jesus –
Each time Jesus is about to demonstrate a miracle, he displays total dependency on the Father. He says repeatedly, whatever the Father does I do (John), whatever I see My Father do, I do (), whatever I hear My Father say, I say (John 14:10). Aligning with the will of the Father at all time might seem as though Jesus was vulnerable, but He wasn’t. He was attempting to teach us that although we are made with some abilities, we must trust God to do everything for us.
How Can You Grow Your Faith?
NOTE: The first thing to note is that everyone born of God (i.e. believer) has been dealt with a measure of faith.
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.
- Praying. Jude 20.
- Hearing the Word of God. Romans 10:17.
- Patiently waiting. Hebrews 10:36.
- Live by faith. Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38.
