Hey, friends.
It’s time for five on Friday.
I’ve been thinking a lot this week about what it means to have genuine faith. There’s a vast gulf of difference between having the kind of faith that simply believes God exists and the kind of faith that believes God is who He says He is and living our day-to -day lives relying on His promises.
Scores of people believe God exists, but believing He exists isn’t the same thing as serving Him as Lord. James spoke of this in James 2:19, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe- and shudder!”
The Bible speaks of saving faith that produces works (James 2:22). Genuine faith produces action in our lives because we will always act on what we believe to be true. I’m drawn to the passage in James 2:23 that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness- and he was called a friend of God.”
Notice the text doesn’t say “Abraham believed in God,” (although he most certainly did), the passage says, “Abraham believed God.” There’s a dramatic difference. Abraham not only believed God existed, but He took Him at His Word. That’s a game changer and the kind of faith we want to possess. Here are five passages that will increase our understanding of biblical faith:
- Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
- Christ followers are called to live by faith. Romans 1:17 says, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.”
- A small amount of faith can move enormous obstacles. Matthew 17:20 says, “For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
- Without faith it’s impossible to please God. Hebrews 10:38 says, “But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
- We are wise to ask God to increase our faith. In Mark 9:24 the father of the sick child said, “I believe; help my unbelief.”
As we head into the weekend, I’ll leave you with “A Prayer for Increased Faith” from Day 6 in my e-book, 31 Days of Prayer for Spiritual Growth. You can download a free copy by subscribing to the blog. Have a great weekend, friends. Let’s keep the faith!
Father,
Your Word says the righteous shall live by faith (Hebrews 10:38), and without faith it is impossible to please You (Hebrews 11:6). I pray You will continually increase my faith. Lord, like the father of the boy suffering with the unclean spirit, I plead, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24). Your Word says that all things are possible for those who believe, and even faith as small as a mustard seed will move mountains (Matthew 17:20). I ask that You will increase my faith in every area of my life. I pray my faith will move me to ask for bold things for Your kingdom and Your glory. Enlarge my faith until it is far greater than any obstacle or circumstance. Increase my faith though Your Word (Romans 10:17). Empower me to live with the faith that conquers kingdoms, enforces justice, stops the mouth of lions, quenches the power of fire, escapes the sword, makes the weak strong, is mighty in war, and puts foreign armies to flight (Hebrews 11:33-34). In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
