Ephesians 6:16,17; Mark 9:23; Matthew 17:20
Faith is an indispensable attribute of saints of old. Hebrews chapter 11 captures their actions and exploits of faith. The Scripture teaches that though people may have different callings, commissions, responsibilities, the common thread that binds them is faith. Their exploits, endurance and courage in the face of trials are all by faith. Among these saints of old are patriarchs, princes, prophets and common people – men and women – some with legitimate or illegitimate birth. Irrespective of status, it is faith that enlists the believer among saints who possessed faith that never fails. With faith, the Christian is able to face any challenge, fulfil his commission, achieve his goal and realize his dreams.
To be able to overcome obstacles, the believer is required to put on the whole armour of God. But without faith, the armour is incomplete and will not work effectively. With it, the believer “shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked”. Some people suffer long in their predicaments because they accept that it is impossible to overcome all their problems; they are not sure it is the will of God for them to receive divine intervention; and they think that God predestined them to such fate. But Jesus says unbelief is the cause. “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Unbelief, not lack of resourcefulness, connection or know-how, is the reason many believers have big dreams, goals and aspirations without accomplishment. When unbelief gives way to faith, the believer begins to succeed where he previously failed. While churches now point to the need to discover causes, and science teaches discovery of solution through research, and prophets foresee the unreal, the Lord commands believers to speak to their mountains by faith. If you believe and obey, “...nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
1.THE FAITH THAT COMES BY THE WORD
Romans 10:17; Acts 12:24; 2 Samuel 7:25; Luke 5:5,6; Ezekiel 12:25,28.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Faith in God and His power does not come by listening to words that cause fear, suspicion and hatred in the heart. The Scripture reveals that it is listening to and hearing God’s word that builds faith. The faith of Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, David and other saints grew and they were able to do mighty exploits through the word of God they heard. Faith that never fails grows in the believer who commits himself to hear the word of God daily.
To have faith implanted and growing in your heart, you must read, hear, believe, study, meditate on the word; you must obey, preach and multiply the word; and you must pray through and act on the word. Thus, a net-breaking breakthrough comes through acting on the unfailing word of God. “For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged... There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 12:25,28). The word of God does not depend on feeling, talent, ability, experience, or knowledge of anyone to be fulfilled. And Satan cannot hinder God from fulfilling His word in the life of the faith-filled believer.
2.THE FAITH THAT CONQUERS THE WORLD
1 John 5:4; 4:4; 2:13,14; Revelation 12:11.
To be able to go through life successfully, every believer needs to possess the faith that conquers the world and everything in it. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Fear to face challenges in any believer is as a result of ignorance of the power and personality of Christ in him. As a believer, you must believe and constantly affirm God’s word that, “greater is he that is in [me], than he that is in the world”(1 John 4:4). Satan and sinners in the world cannot overcome the believer who has Christ in him. Moses ran from Egypt because he believed that Pharaoh was greater than his God. After his encounter with God and his faith in His might grew, he confronted the king of Egypt and set the Israelites free from bondage. If you are a believer, you are not weak: “ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:14). With faith in the power of the indwelling Christ and His word, you will continue to overcome the world.
3.THE FAITH THAT CONTINUES HIS WORKS
Acts 1:1; John 5:17,19;14:12.
God expects believers to continue the works of Christ by faith. What Christ has done is what the believer is to continue to do. Through the great commission, we are to carry on with the signs and wonders, miracles, soul-winning, manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit and “all that Jesus began both to do and teach”. He completed and perfected the work of our redemption without any part left for human contribution. But He did not complete the work of soul-winning, teaching, healing and deliverance. Christ Himself incarnated to continue the work of the Father. “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” To succeed, the believer must follow Christ’s pattern. “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (John 5:17,19). Now, Christ commands the believer to also do the works He left uncompleted. To be able to continue Christ’s works, the believer needs to believe, internalize and personalize His words, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” The believer is able to continue Christ’s works and do exploits like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Ruth, Jephthah, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Elijah, Elisha, Stephen, Philip, Paul, Peter, with the possession of the faith that never fails.
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