How to Get Your Faith to Work
How to Get Your Faith to Work
Have you had enough of faith formulas? There are seven steps to this and seven steps to that…. Now, I’m not saying that these are all bad. However, in trying times, people need to hear what is real. And they are truly wanting to hear from God! How about you? Are you ready for a faith that is fool-proof and effective? Are you ready to be a victor in the scheme of life, rather than just a recipient of its circumstances?
As simple as it may sound, God’s detailed design for operating faith has been laid out for us in the Bible. And it all begins with the love of God—not just your love for others—but you’re knowing that God loves you. Productive faith hinges upon this.
For some people, it took having to endure hard times for them to become receptive to God and His ways. Yet to truly operate in faith, one must be submitted to God and His Word. A submitted person is a humble person. It takes genuine humility to have faith in God. When you submit yourself to God, this means you depend upon Him, His ability and power, and not your own.
Also, true humility means preferring and obeying God’s will over what you may personally think, feel, or desire. It is only when a man enters into this type of humility that he can successfully operate in faith. Your genuine humility allows your faith to work, and you can now trust God’s ability to bring to pass what you desire. When God finds such a man or woman, He, in turn, provides more grace. “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).
Now grace, although it is free, can only be accessed through faith. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). In like manner, everything that has been provided for us by the finished works of Christ can only be possessed by faith. Consequently, we must constantly be developing in faith, so that we may access all that God has appropriated for us through grace.
In addition, faith will only work when the will of God is known. This opens the door for the will of God to be operative in your life, and it now becomes a mission for Him to perform it. When you know the will of God, you will submit to the will of God.
The time is over for working hard at working hard. Often, this type of effort ends up crumbling at the end. It is time to trust God!
I am excited about God’s power never failing us. I am excited about knowing that God loves me every day. When you begin to believe God loves you, your faith will work. Faith works by love. Faith works by how much I believe God loves me.
David in the Bible is a good example (1 Samuel 17). Do you know that his name means “beloved?” It was so easy for David to fearlessly slay a ten-foot giant, because he knew he was God’s beloved. When you begin to believe that God loves you, even if the tempter does shows up, temptation won’t work, because you are God’s beloved.
God’s love for us is expressed through His grace. Say to yourself, “God loves me. Therefore, my bills will be paid.” “God loves me. Therefore, I am healed.” “God loves me. Therefore, I can get my prayers answered.” The source of effective faith is knowing that God loves you!
Understanding and Living the Life of Faith: What is Faith? Faith in the Word behind the Word
Faith grows out of the Word of God, and we are to make His Word our final authority in life. The written Word of God prepares us to hear the voice behind the Word. While we are reading and meditating on the Word of God, He will speak to us, giving us specific instructions for our lives.
Four definitions of faith.
Faith is acting out on the Word of God.
Faith is a practical expression of the confidence we have in God and His Word.
Real Bible faith is faith in the love of God.
Faith is the practical expression of our confidence and an act of obedience to the voice behind the Word.
The spoken Word also possesses faith.
When God speaks the Word, it is implanted. When we hear the Word preached, it is imparted.
Our faith is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).
Thanks be to God who always leads us to triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14, AMP).
God will lead us into victory by His Words.
Behind every written Word is a Rhema Word.
God is always speaking, but the problem is many of us do not hear Him.
There are instructions in the spoken Word.
The written Word helps us recognize the spoken Word; it is the gateway.
However, the spoken Word is greater.
Five safeguards to follow when you hear a Word from God.
It will require faith.
It will require courage.
It will line up with the written Word.
It will go against the reasons and rationalizations of the world.
Peace will rule in your heart like an umpire.
What is God telling you to do?
Obey whatever He tells you to do (John 2:1-11).
Whenever we obey God, a transformation takes place, much like the turning of the water into wine.
Do not be afraid to step out; be willing to miss it in order to make it.
Resist the urge to copy what God told someone else to do. He will speak directly to you.
Claiming what does not belong to you is covetousness.
Be careful not to claim something without hearing God’s voice concerning it.
Scripture References
1 John 5:4
2 Corinthians 2:14, AMP
John 2:1-11