Faith

What is Faith?

Faith is believing in that which can or can not be seen, and knowing that it shall come to pass.

Who lives by faith?

Rom 1:17

17 "The righteous will live by faith."

NIV

The righteous (just) must live by continued faith and go from faith to faith as light is revealed.

If we walk by faith and not by sight and feelings we will not be easily defeated, and overcome the world. ”IF” we may have to adjust our viewpoint. 1 John 5:4

4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

NIV

Faith is the Key to living and walking in the spirit. God speaks to our faith, and the word of God can only be acted upon by faith. So God moves through our faith to fulfil his promises. Heb 11:1

11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

NIV

We will not be absolutely free to live and walk in the spirit until we realise what God has accomplished for us through Jesus Christ on the cross. We need to have a new birth experience, and grow in an intimate relationship with Jesus.

The enemies of faith are unbelief, doubt, and fear which are all negatives. Whilst not denying the negative we look for the positive and faith gives it substance and evidence. 2 Cor 6:10

10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

NIV

Faith allows us to call the things which are not as though they were.

Unbelief is the darkroom where we develop our negatives. Faith allows us to live in the anticipated supply of God. We can not have faith and voice negative confessions.

We live by faith in what God says we ARE and HAVE in Christ Jesus; we are complete in him. Col 2:9-10

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

NIV

We have health for our bodies

All our material needs are met

And we are free from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:1-2 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. NIV

When we received our salvation it was full, and as we continue in it walking by faith, we walk in the good of what He accomplished for us on the cross. This is the statement Jesus made on the cross “It is finished”

As we are then delivered from the power of the enemy, we are set free by the truth and we only remain free as we walk in the realm of the spirit. 2 Cor 3: 18 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

NIV

Many Christians make mountains out of molehills and then spend the rest of their life trying to climb them.

Paul refused to live in the negative. . 2 Cor 6:10 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. NIV

He did not say he was not sorrowful but he did say that he was always rejoicing. Paul did not live in his sorrow. So often we can brood over our troubles – self pity – woe is me etc.

God could only give us a complete Salvation which will keep us 100% free as we walk in faith by the spirit.

The natural man will look to his five senses and always be in need, but the spiritual man will always be free through faith in Gods word.

God is always committed to his word. Matt 4:4 4 Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" NIV

We have a legal right to this life.

Faith in Gods word

Possessing our possessions

Take the shield of faith now and if you have got out of the fight get back into it.

Believe that the past is underneath the blood, and that it will no longer speak of failure, because you are living in the present of what God says. Rom 8:37 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. NIV

One warning – Don’t jump into the future for victory and success. Faith is the answer, not hope. Hope puts everything into the future; faith brings everything into the present. We live in the spirit now, not hope in the future.

Believe Gods Word. Believe that you have the faith. Rom 12:3-8 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. NIV

Faith basically is faith in Gods word

When we confess Gods word with our voice we here our words. As you believe what you here so your faith increases. Rom 10:17 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ NIV

So faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of God.

Often our head our natural reasoning gets in the way. But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor 2:16 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. NIV

He is the head of the body and he plans and thinks for us. When reason says it’s wrong, Faith can say it’s OK.

We are not expected to understand it - only believe it!

Faith is the victory

Faith always has an ear open to God, so faith always has a right attitude to God.

Faith is not what we feel but what we believe.

There are those who doubt their believing and believe their doubts. If we must doubt, doubt your doubts and believe your believing.

When we believe Gods word and stand on it. Who is on our side? – God – The devil is defeated.

Jesus said “It is written”- Matt 4:2-4 3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4 Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" NIV

What Jesus was saying to the enemy was ”That’s as far as you can come against me and no further” What is written for us is against the enemy.

Many people have emotional feelings towards God which is not wrong – but faith has it’s objective in the settled word of God. Ps 119:89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. NIV

Our feelings may be up and down but Faith is rooted and grounded in the truth of Gods word

Lets not build on uncertain ground of our feelings but see that faith in Gods word is faith in God. You may not feel what God says you are, but you can believe it.

Walking by faith

When we walk by faith in the spirit we shall not be begging, asking, pleading, or crying for deliverance, all the time. But we shall be PRAISING and WORSHIPING together.

I am sure God longs for a people who come together to give. A people who will worship and praise Him for who and what He is. We can be so occupied in what we need and not what He needs. I believe that as we worship and praise Him ALL these things shall be added unto us. It is so easy for what we term as worship to no more than a corporate Christian karaoke session.

How many times have we been unable to enter into worship for the nagging problems – yet the bible says. 1 Cor 14:26

26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

NIV

We can’t read this verse when we come together everyone has a problem or a need.

I believe that God wants to see a people who demonstrate His love and His power, who advertise His love both in their lives and through their lives. The best way to advertise Jesus is to enjoy Him.

We can say as Paul said in Acts 27 21-26. Paul had been before Festus & King Agrippa @ Ceasera., and Paul was being taken by ship to Crete as he had appealed to Ceaser

Acts 27:21-26 21 After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, `Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island." NIV

It is Gods intention that we should be manifested as the sons of God. Joint heirs with Christ. What heir in Christ would be living in need? It would be wrong to live in it with the knowledge that God can supply it through our faith.

God wants us to live: -

in His presence

in His power

in his provision

All that Grace has provided is ours and we can reach every shelf of Gods storehouse. HE IS THE AUTHER AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH

No matter what you may think of the vessel, believe that the treasure is good and perfect. The treasure is Christ living in you, but it is only as we share this treasure that we can experience the Joy of possessing it.

Freely you have received freely give. Matt 10:7-8 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. NIV

We now give to live, but the motive for giving is living.

The motive is important.

It is not what you do – but what why you do it

Not what you say – but why you say it

It is hearing the now word

Faith is not static - but moving

Faith that works

James 2 v 17 introduces us to a very sobering thought. James 2:17 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. NIV

Neither is complete in itself. It is like fire burning without fuel, or fuel burning without fire. It isn’t possible it contravenes the laws that govern fire and fuel.

If faith doesn’t move us into action then it will produce nothing, it will serve to frustrate rather that fulfil.

GRACE AND FAITH ARE TWINS

The way we received Salvation was the result of two interacting life forces, those of Gods grace and faith. Eph 2:8

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. NIV

It is important that we recognise that grace precedes faith. This demonstrates Gods goodness rather than our faith response.

Grace means that we receive that which we have done nothing to merit or deserve it.

Grace came in Jesus

God demonstrated His grace by sending Jesus. This was an expression of Gods loving kindness to us. Through the grace that we received, we are no longer enemies of Him, but we are joined. He now stands with us. Rom 8:31 31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? NIV

Grace has overcome sin and has joined us to God in covenant fellowship, unbreakable, constant relationship.

The inner secret of faith

For faith to operate to our good, it requires that we stand in the grace of God (loving kindness of God) recognise it is not of our selves. Gal 2:20-21 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" NIV

Paul is saying that he (Paul) does not frustrate, nullify or disregard the grace or loving kindness of God.

Faith cannot operate outside the love of God. Gal 5:6 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. NIV

Faith in action

Jesus sent His disciples out and instructed them not to provide for themselves. Matt 10:10 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. NIV

He sent them out to give and not to get. They were to give what had been given to them and their needs would be met. Luke 6:38 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." NIV

“Give and it will be given to you”

Jesus asked them when they came back. Luke 22:35 35 Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. NIV

So they went out with nothing and lacked nothing.

God is our Jehovah Jirah our provider.

They went out in faith and returned in Gods supply.

The will of God will never take us in or to any place where the grace of God is not sufficient or the power of God is not sufficient to supply. All our needs are met when we are in the will of God.

A reason today why many people are not receiving is because they are waiting to get before they give. (This is not only in the financial realm) Waiting to see before they believe.

Faith is different – It acts on the word of God, attempts what appears to be the impossible and expects God to do it.

What do we have to give?

We have all that Jesus had. We are joint heirs. John 14:11 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. NIV

We are not to rely on our natural strength. Everything that we have to give comes from Him. We shall only see the evidence of what we have when we begin to give.

Jesus disciples were not perfect or professionals, they were ordinary people. If they had waited until perfection they would never have moved.

God has not called us because of what we are but because of what He is and can do through us.

We can move out in His provision.

Why do we lack? Because we are not taking hold of His promises. It is possible for us to sit in the premises and not stand on His promises.

Faith allows us to take hold of what we need for body, soul, and spirit and rejoice in the anticipated supply.

It should be the norm for us to have our needs met, prayers answered and for God to work through us.

If we pray according to His will, and walk in our inheritance, an expectation and demonstration of Gods power will be seen in us and also influence the world around us.

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