A believer believes and that’s why he is called a b-e-l-i-e-v-e-r!!! So, why does he need any more faith? Are we not, therefore, referring to too much of the same thing?
In this article, I will be explaining as simply as I can, what a believer’s faith is about.
In Christianity, belief gets you in but faith gets you going. While we become Christians because we believe, faith is what keeps our belief active rather than passive. Belief is based on possibilities but faith is based on reality and actuality. When we believe, we believe in God and all that He represents, we believe in Jesus and the Resurrection from the dead, we believe in the Holy Spirit and the power of God living in us. Faith then goes further to apply our beliefs in actual circumstances, for example;
- since I believe that God can heal, I have faith that God will heal the sick person right before me
- or since I believe that God knows all things, I have faith that the power of the Holy Spirit within me will reveal and destroy the mystery that has oppressed a group of people for a while.
While belief gives us access into the kingdom, faith gives clout to a believer who engages it. While belief is the foundation, faith builds on it. I hope these explanations help you see why faith is essential for you. Let’s take this further by looking not just into what faith is, but into why you should have faith?
Why should you have faith?
You please God (Hebrews 11: 6):
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Faith shows that a man understands God and holds onto the integrity of His Word. When we find someone, who understands us, knows our strengths, and respects our abilities, we are pleased with such a person and cherish them. When a man understands the integrity of God and holds that understanding at the core of his dealings in life without an iota of reservation, he is living by faith and God is surely pleased with such.
You obtain God’s promises to you (Hebrews 6:12):
“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised”
I know that God has made many promises to you but the currency with which you will be able to have them is called faith. Having a promise is like having potential, having faith is how you tap into the potential. A promise is also like making a melody in your heart but faith is what converts it to a song that everyone can hear. Faith is a vehicle that will convey the promises of God to you.
You are able to show forth the Kingdom (Hebrews 11:33):
“who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,”
Faith is a core virtue of citizenship when the Kingdom of God is concerned. When referring to how citizens of earthly nations hold their country in high esteem, we call it patriotism. However, while patriotism in today’s world says “that which works for us is what we believe in”, faith says “that which we believe is what works for us”. Faith will cause your influence to expand sporadically because you are conscious of the Kingdom agenda in your sphere; you do things God’s way because you know that you shine the light when you do so. This faith will cause mighty deeds to proceed from you, oh ye yielded vessel, because the kingdom of God is in Power.
If you do Kingdom in faith, you will experience power. There is no limit on your exploits, dear one, except the limit you have allowed in your mind. You are part of the Kingdom that has no end and which is not of this world; being conscious of the Kingdom and the agenda, as well as seeking to take your place in the agenda, is faith at work.
How can you have faith?
A believer gets faith by meditating on who God is and you get to meditate on who God is by studying the Scriptures. Your revelational knowledge of God cannot increase without your faith increasing as well. Ponder on the wonders of God’s nature and consider the extent of His power.
Your faith in God can only increase by virtue of your contact with God Himself. You cannot have faith in what you do not know.
Finally, I must seek to correct an error that is commonly upheld. Faith is wrongly applied when directed at an act. For example;
“I know that this will happen or I have faith that this will change”.
You cannot leave God out of the faith we are talking about. Faith is not self-talk, neither is it ambition nor optimism.
To apply faith rightly in the Kingdom, is to ensure that it is directed towards God and His ability. For example,
“I know who He is and I am persuaded that He will do this or cause this to change”
A believer cannot have faith outside of God Himself.
Shine on in Christ!
(c) All Bible Verses are quoted from the New International Version
Mine is a question, how can one deal with anxiety and fear on a daily basis, which is the opposite of faith. I know one major one is soaking yourself in the word, and knowing who God is, but the these evil spirit could be overwhelming, is there like a constant word or statement one can use and speak constantly
Thanks for asking your question, dear Gbeminiyi.1 John 4:8 says “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear”. Only the love of God is perfect, and the tool for dealing with fear and anxiety lies in His perfect love. It does not mean that when we love so much, fear goes; what it means is that when we embrace the perfect love that flows from God towards us, we relax and feel safe in knowing how much He loves us. You need to start telling yourself how much God loves you and meditate on it until you begin to see. When you know that God loves you so much and will do anything to make sure that you are fine, you will be really confident. Just like a person who knows that her father is the president or king, she feels some sense of safety or security, but then God is bigger than being a president or king, He is God and also your father. I hope this helps.
Some scriptures you can meditate on are:
Isaiah 49:16
1 John 3:1
Jeremiah 31:3
Romans 5:8
Personalize them and own them, because they are Words from God to you.
You can also recount God’s goodness to you personally and keep remembering them.
Let me know how well this helps. I await your testimony.
Love.
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