THE LIFESTYLE OF FAITH - PART 3

 THE LIFESTYLE OF FAITH – PART 3

Finally, we have come to the end of this great and exciting series. Glory! But God’s word never ends; you continue to build more on the Word at all times, constantly studying the Word. This is how we grow into becoming what the Word says as believers (1Peter 2:2 “as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby”). 

This week, we looked into what Faith actually entails, the wonders of Faith and also the reasons why we must possess this weapon of Faith as believers; we have talked more about what Faith is but today we will look more into some other wonders of Faith. We have established that Faith is Word-driven i.e. a life of Faith is one borne out of the Word of God (Romans 10:17). According to one of Papa Hagin’s quotes, he said “if what you hear preached doesn’t cause faith to come up or build faith in your spirit, then it either isn’t the Word of God or else, you are not hearing it”. This means that Faith is built on the platform of us hearing the Word.

Also, FAITH is a thing of the heart. The Bible speaking in Romans 10:10 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”. Until you have believed in your heart, then you are not permitted to enjoy the reality of your Faith. If your Faith is not settled from within you, you cannot experience the desires outside. I now see why Proverbs 4:23 says we should guard our heart with all diligence. The Heart plays a very vital role in our everyday life and for our Faith to produce results, it must first come out of our heart.

Furthermore, Faith touches God’s heart to deliver your desired results, much more as it speaks to God’s capacity to perform. Let us look at the Scriptures in Luke 8:43-48; we see the story of the woman with the issue of blood. Not only did she know that the Lord would heal her but she exercised something that day that facilitated her healing- FAITH. Matthew 9:21 “if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole”. She did not only mutter these words but acted through Faith, thus she had her healing. Luke 8:46 “And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me”.

However, we must carefully understand that Men are in sizes, life in phases and Faith in categories. There are diversities of operations when it comes to the realm of Faith and these all depend on how well you have grown or built capacity in Faith. Jesus made mention of these very categories. Depending on whichever one you possess, it tells the results that you expect. From the anchor verses in Matthew 8, we see two types of Faith discussed here – THE LITTLE and THE GREAT FAITH. From scriptures, we understand that Little faith however does not equal little results; it just means “No results”.  This is just like “No Faith” or as the Bible describes it being “Faithless” (Matthew 17:17) We see that the disciples of Jesus in Matthew 8 could not rebuke the storm because they had so little Faith. This just amounts to the absence of Faith. Therefore, as Christians, we need to grow more into the realm of having the GREAT faith as Jesus describes it in verse 10 (THE FAITH OF THE CENTURION). It takes the strength of our Faith to see us pull our desired results. Though, we see Christ give an example of having Faith as little as a mustard seed; He was not telling us that our little Faith can do it. If you have ever seen a mustard seed before; though the seed be very tiny, when it sprouts, it becomes a very big tree. So, it is not our little Faith that produces the results but our well grown and nurtured Faith.

What then are the ENEMIIES or HINDRANCES to our FAITH?

√ Sin: Sin is an enemy to a number of things in the Kingdom. We must know that Faith is one of our redemptive rights; and as such, it cannot yield results in the presence of sin. Galatians 5:22 tells us about the fruits of the spirit and if we must live them, we must shun every form of unrighteousness which is sin. Verse 25 “if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit”

√ Doubt/Unbelief: One obstacle to our Faith yielding result is the enemy called Unbelief. As we see in Matthew 13:58, Jesus could do no mighty miracles in his hometown because of their unbelief. From scriptures, when Christ healed the sick, he would always say “let it be unto you according to your Faith”. Thus, our Faith is very important and if we nurse doubt in us, our desired expectations cannot be fulfilled.

√ Spirit of Fear: Most of the times when we fear the outcome of something, we’re either shaken in Faith or there is no Faith in the possibility of that thing. Matthew 8:26 “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little Faith?” Fear is an enemy we must rid ourselves of if we must enjoy the dividends of Faith (James 1:6).

√ Absence of the WORD: Without the Word, it is impossible for Faith to be built in us or for us to grow more in capacity; therefore, it becomes very important to have the Word dwell richly in us (Hebrews 11:3).

√ Absence of LOVE: FAITH is potent but with LOVE, it is much more potent (1 Corinthians 13:2,13). Remember, we must be able to please God in our Faith to receive from HIM and GOD, himself is Love.

How then can I build or grow my FAITH?

√ Be BORN-AGAIN: Faith is a fruit of the Spirit and if we must possess it, then we must first be born of the Spirit. 1John 5:4 “for whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, even our Faith”.

√ Study, Hear and Receive God’s WORD: The Word you study and receive is what you are permitted to become. Faith comes by the Word of GOD and as such we should continually build on the Word to grow more in Faith.

√ Ask from THE FATHER: From the scriptures, we see the disciples question Jesus in Matthew 17 and he answered them in verse 21 “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting”. Until you ask, you cannot be given. John 16:24 “hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your Joy may be full”.

√ Let it show in your works: The proof of our Faith is in our works. James 2:17-18 “Even so Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone…and I will show thee my faith by my works”.

√ Steer clear the enemies of your Faith: Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage”. Run and flee from all we have outlined as hindrances to your Faith and form a hedge against them, growing in your Faith.

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