FAITH

God's children can reach the heart of God through faith. Heb 11:6 declares,' without faith, it is impossible to please... he that comes to Him must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. When we first accepted the Lord Jesus into our lives, the Bible says, God has dealt to every man a measure of faith (Rom 12:3) This is the initial deposit God makes for a Christian to start with.

Faith believes exactly what the Bible says despite the circumstance. It is the responsibility of the Christian to nurture the faith. This happens by the Word of God (Rom 10:17) When we feed on the word of God, faith keeps building up. Paul talks about this faith in Rom 1:17...the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith. The same apostle Paul is commending the faith of the Thessalonians which grew exceedingly (2 Thes 1:3).

A Christian who does not have a daily walk with the Lord cannot grow in faith. Jesus likened such believers to the seeds which fell on the rock. They receive the word with joy and they have no root, who 'believe for a while' and in time of temptation fall away (Lk 8:13) When there are trials or temptations, they fail because they do not have any strength, there is no root. This is due to mal nourishment. They go to church, receive the word, and get some strength but it doesn't last. James says, 'Faith if it has no works, it is dead ...For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead, also (Jam 2:14-16). We have to activate our faith. The Christian life is a 'faith walk'.

Abraham was not weak in faith (Rom 4:19) Weak faith always looks around and limits God of His infinite power. Weak faith always considers the natural. But God does not want His children to be weakening in faith.

May be you are battling a situation in your life. It may be a vision you are running after or a job scenario. Never give up! If you are claiming God's promises, never let doubt or unbelief come in any form. Never let anyone talk you out of the word of God. Cancel every negative word. Refuse to be refused. "Greater is He that in us than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4)

Types of faith:

1. Strong faith:

Abraham had some anxious moments. But God did not count these against him. The Bible declares, Abraham staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith (Rom 4:20). Strong faith refuses to let discouragement and unbelief. Strong faith refuses to be defeated. Abraham was a hundred years old when he saw his child of promise. Whenever his flesh looked at his body, he was looking at the one who made the promise. "Delay in not a denial" In fact, the best is reserved for the end. But there are few that get there. Many give up on the way. But God is faithful. The one who has promised is able to fulfil. There is nothing too hard for the Lord! He is able!

2. Great faith:

There was this centurion who came to the Lord Jesus with a request for his servant who was lying at home, paralyzed, dreadfully tormented. Jesus said to him that He would come and heal him. But the centurion said, 'speak a word and my servant will be healed'. Jesus marveled and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, "I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! " (Matt 8:8-10) The Cananite woman was determined to get the healing. Here is a gentile who shows her faith for her demon-possessed daughter. This woman acknowledges Israel's privilege and priority, yet appeals. Jesus said to her, "O woman, great is your faith. Let it be to you as you desire," and her daughter was healed that very hour (Matt 15:28). Her faith in the Lord Jesus got His attention. Great faith gets a credential from Jesus. It is the faith, which is focussed on the target. It is the faith which has a backbone made up of steel. People who have 'great faith' are very few in numbers. The majority gets ruled out when it comes to great faith.

3. Sincere faith:

Paul writes, 'the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heat, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith" (1Tim 1:5). When Paul writes to the Ephesians, he writes, Peace to the brethren, and love with faith from God ...Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity (Eph 6:23,24) Love has to be with sincerity. Sincere faith does not have pride. It never puts on a show and does not brag about. It is so transparent. God wants us to be like the little Children. God loves such people. Sincere faith will not hide anything. It is not hypocritical.

4. Perfect faith:

Faith should work together with works, and by works, faith was made perfect (James 2:22). Over the period of years, God looks at our sincerity and entrusts us with greater responsibility. He, who is faithful in little, much is entrusted. This is how our God works. When we are sincere in the little things, heaven gets our attention. God develops such a confidence in us that He takes the responsibility for our words. Jesus said, 'If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you (John 15:7). We literally go to a place where God's desire becomes our desire and we will be asking His will and in that case there is one hundred percent guarantee that it will be done. One good example is Prophet Samuel...the Lord was with him and did let none of his words fall to the ground. (1 Sam 3:19) How good it will be if every Christian grows to become like Samuel!

May the Lord take us to greater heights in "faith" Amen.