Understanding Faith (Part 2)

Jesus commanded us to "have faith in God."  But not only did He command it, He made it possible.  Without faith, it is impossible to please God.  Man's part is to ask in faith and refuse doubt.  God's part is to answer!  In this post I want to cover four aspects of faith.

1.  What Faith Means

Faith is to "confide in, or have confidence in."  Faith means that we are secure without fear.  It means to rely on the promise of another (in this case God).  Faith is to believe or to take one at his word.  When we have faith, we will put absolute trust in a person without questioning or doubting their faithfulness.

2.  How Do We Get Faith

Romans 10:17 tells us that "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God!"  It is through hearing God's word that we get faith.  Faith also comes by studying the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15).  And finally, Faith comes by meditating on the Word of God (Psalm 1:2 and Proverbs 4:20-22).  God has made it possible though His Word for us to have faith, we just need to take advantage of it by reading, hearing, studying, and meditating up it.

3.  What Faith Is

Hebrews 11:1 gives us an accurate understanding of exactly what faith is.  It is counting or reckoning a thing done as though it were already done.  Faith does not have to see before it believes.  Faith laughs at the impossible and all circumstances that may be contrary to what the Word of God says and counts the thing done.  Faith is not feeling that our prayers are answered; it is know that they are answered based upon what the Word says.

4.  How To Determine How Much Faith You Have

To accurately determine how much faith you have, simply ask yourself this question: "What can I believe God for?"  Not what you believe God can do, but what can you believe God for.  There is a big difference.  Can you believe God for $5 or $500?    You might believe God can provide $500, but can you believe Him for it?  When we believe God for something, we have no worries, anxieties, fear or second thoughts about it.  Stop believe what God can do, and believe what God will do!

It's time for us to turn our little faith into great faith, our dead faith into active growing faith.  But you must start now.  Start doing something with the faith you have now if you want it to grow and develop.  Where are you in your faith?  God's ready are you?