How do I get Faith?
We live in a faithless world, where most people want to see before they
believe. Most of us are behaving like Jesus disciple called Thomas. How do we
get faith in this faithless world, in order to please God?
(i) Romans
10:17 tells us that faith comes from hearing God’s Word. Notice, it did
not say that faith comes by praying. Faith comes by hearing God’s word. Find scriptures
in the Bible that agree with what you intend to believe God for. Write the scriptures
down on paper, and then read them out loud to yourself over and over and over
until faith comes. You will know when faith has arrived when all doubt is
removed from your heart and you feel or know that the promise belongs to you.
Then, you begin to experience patience and peace (in affliction and need). eg. when
sick; have marital problems, joblessness, failures, etc.
(ii)
As a church, sharing testimonies of faith
encourages others to have faith.(Rev. 12:11)
Hindrances/ Barriers to faith
(i)
When you think of
losing out (eg. Saul)
(ii)
When God’s word
seems unreasonable to you
(iii)
When obedience to
God means going against the crowd (eg. Peer pressure)
(iv)
When obedience to
God is likely to bring suffering
Practical Application
Find scriptures in the Bible which
contain promises for you and your circumstance. Take these scriptures and make
them part of your daily confession, reading them over and over, out loud to
yourself. Example:
1.
For sickness you might read Isaiah 53:4-6;
Mathew 8:17; 1 Peter 2:24 over and over and make them your confession.
2.
You need a child – Psalms113:9: He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of
children. Psalms127:3: Lo, children are
an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
3.
Persecution in God’s work -1corin.
12:7-10
Character of faith (not
what you’d expect)
Hebrew chapter 11, dubbed the ‘Faith hall of fame’,
contains a detailed description of faith. But the picture of faith emerging
from these chapters contains some surprises. Words and phrases like “persevere,
“endure”, “do not lose heart”. In many instances, the heroes cited did not
receive the promise they hoped for; some ended up flogged and destitute, hiding
out in goat skins (Heb. 11:36-38). Many died horrible deaths. Faith, the author
concludes, most resembles a difficult race. The runner has his or her eyes on
the winner’s prize, and despite nagging temptations to slacken the pace,
refuses to give up until he or she crosses the finish line. “Throw off
everything that hinders”.
Is it worth the
struggle?
Why
do people punish their bodies to run a grueling marathon race? Most runners
name two reasons: the sense of personal reward they get and the physical
benefits of the exercise. The same two rewards apply in the spiritual realm:
great prizes await those who persevere and the very process of living by faith
builds strong character. In this race, no one loses. If you finish you get the
reward.
Hebrews
holds up Jesus, who endured great suffering for our sakes, as the ultimate
example. The Christian faith is not sugar-coated. God does not guarantee a life
of luxury and ease. It is tough faith: a constant commitment to hang on and
believe God against all odds, no matter what.
Conclusion
Do you live by faith or sight? ‘Without faith it is impossible
to please God’ (Hebrew 11:6).
Think about Paul, Noah, David & Goliath, Shadrach, Meshach& Abednego; the
centurion & Jesus encounter for healing of his servant, etc. Hebrew 11:13 says: “These all died in faith, not having received
the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and
embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth”. Faith is the cornerstone of Christianity. Without
demonstrating faith and trust in God, we have no place with Him. Do you want to
please God? Do you want to receive all the promises God has predestined for you
in His word? Then have faith, and hold unto faith! Amen.
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