What is Faith?
CEB Hebrews 11:1, 3 states “1 Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see. 3 By faith we understand that the universe has been created by a word from God so that the visible came into existence from the invisible." (Hebrews 11 is entirely dedicated to defining faith, so continue to read).
Why is it important to have faith?
First we must believe because we are commanded to do so, plus it comes with rewards as a result. In KJV Acts 16:31 it states “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Also Hebrew 11:6 tells us it is impossible to please God without faith.
How the Most High works when you have faith
CEB Matthew 15:21-28 is the parable (story) of the Cannanite woman:
“21 From there, Jesus went to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from those territories came out and shouted, ‘Show me mercy, Son of David. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.’ 23 But he didn’t respond to her at all. His disciples came and urged him, ‘Send her away; she keeps shouting out after us.’ 24 Jesus replied, ‘I’ve been sent only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel.’ 25 But she knelt before him and said, ‘Lord, help me.’ 26 He replied, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to dogs.’ 27 She said, ‘Yes, Lord. But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall off their masters’ table.’ 28 Jesus answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith. It will be just as you wish.’ And right then her daughter was healed.”
CEB Acts 3:1-16 is another story of healing because of faith in Jesus Christ:
“1 Peter and John were going up to the temple at three o’clock in the afternoon, the established prayer time. 2 Meanwhile, a man crippled since birth was being carried in. Every day, people would place him at the temple gate known as the Beautiful Gate so he could ask for money from those entering the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he began to ask them for a gift. 4 Peter and John stared at him. Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ 5 So the man gazed at them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Peter said, ‘I don’t have any money, but I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk!’ 7 Then he grasped the man’s right hand and raised him up. At once his feet and ankles became strong. 8 Jumping up, he began to walk around. He entered the temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 They recognized him as the same one who used to sit at the temple’s Beautiful Gate asking for money. They were filled with amazement and surprise at what had happened to him. 11 While the healed man clung to Peter and John, all the people rushed toward them at Solomon’s Porch, completely amazed. 12 Seeing this, Peter addressed the people: ‘You Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why are you staring at us as if we made him walk by our own power or piety? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of our ancestors—has glorified his servant Jesus. This is the one you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence, even though he had 11 already decided to release him. 14 You rejected the holy and righteous one, and asked that a murderer be released to you instead. 15 You killed the author of life, the very one whom God raised from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 His name itself has made this man strong. That is, because of faith in Jesus’ name, God has strengthened this man whom you see and know. The faith that comes through Jesus gave him complete health right before your eyes.’”
ALL YOU NEED IS THE FAITH OF A MUSTARD SEED: KJV Matthew 17:20 “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
KJV Matthew 21:21-22 “21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
To have faith the Holy Spirit must come upon you. Paul expressed in Ephesians 1:17-19 that a spirit must come upon you. CEB Ephesians 1:17-19 states “17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation that makes God known to you. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call, what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers, 19 and what is the overwhelming greatness of God’s power that is working among us believers. This power is conferred by the energy of God’s powerful strength.” And when you believe in Christ, he puts his seal on you by giving you the holy spirit according to Ephesians 1:13. NLT Acts 1:8 tells us: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Faith + Works
You cannot effectively obey/fulfill His laws without faith. KJV Romans 3:20,22 states “20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference”.
No matter how much you know about the bible, how many verses you can memorize, how many feast days you keep remember KJV Galations 2:16; “...a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity. You show your faith with your works/actions, this is stated in James 2:17-18. So since our actions are a display of what we believe in our heart (our beliefs and values govern our actions) if we truly believe in the Most High God and fear him we will be faithful (loyal and obedient) and display traits that come from having the Holy Spirit, which are listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
If you'd like to build a relationship with the Most High God or just rekindle your fire for Kingdom work check out You and Yah. It's a great book that walks through Faith, Prayer, Torah, Faithfulness, and more relationship building topics. Find it on Amazon here.
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