The Importance of Faith

We have been focusing our attention on faith. Here are the reasons why:

We cannot please God without faith.

Hebrews 11:6 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. (NKJ)

We cannot be saved without faith.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (Berean)

We cannot walk the Christians walk without faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (NKJ)

We cannot live for Him without faith.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NKJ)

Faith is more than mentally agreeing with the Bible. Faith is more than memorizing Scripture. Faith is living what you have heard or read. It’s putting the Word into action.

We cannot grow spiritually without faith.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, (NKJ)

We cannot endure trials without faith.

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (NAS)

We cannot inherit God’s promises without faith.

Hebrews 6:12 That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (NKJ)

There is nothing wrong with praying but faith does not come by prayer. Faith does not come by fasting. Faith does not come by confessing. Faith does not come by crying. Faith does not come by feeling or seeing.

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJ)

Faith only comes by the Word of God.

God is not going to use the Sword of the Spirit for you. He expects YOU to pick it up and use it by putting it into action. The devil tries to pull us back into the realm of feeling and seeing. It is God’s desire for us to be strong in faith and not weak.

How do we get strong faith?

Romans 4:19-21 And being not weak in faith, he (Abraham) considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what He (God) had promised, He was able also to perform. (KJV)

Never say you’re week or don’t have enough faith. We strengthen our faith by giving glory to God and being fully persuaded God will keep His promises.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (NKJ)

My part is the believing and receiving; not the having. That is His part. Do your part. He has already done His part. God didn’t wait until after He created Adam to provide oxygen, food, and water. Adam’s provision was created first before the need arrived.

Hebrews 9:25-26 The Jewish high priest goes into the Most Holy Place every year with the blood of an animal. But Christ did not go in to offer Himself many times, 26 for then He would have had to suffer many times ever since the creation of the world. Instead, now when all ages of time are nearing the end, He has appeared once and for all, to remove sin through the sacrifice of Himself. (GNT)

Our Part

John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJ)

Only the truth you know can set you free. Your faith level will never rise above your Word level.

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (NKJ)

Faith begins where the will of God is known. His Word is His will. Faith is an act. Put God’s Word into practice. Act as if what He said is true – because it is!