Give Your Faith Something To Do
Hebrews 11:31-35, “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. [32] And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: [33] Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, [34] Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. [35] Women received their dead raised to life again:”
There is something that makes you a champion on earth. There is something that makes you shine in a dark world. There is something that separates you from the rest of the world; it is called faith. We see examples of people who have done exploits by faith in Hebrews 11. They not only changed their circumstances, but they also changed their world in very specific ways. Faith produces undeniable results. Faith produces proofs. Faith creates testimonies. Faith elevates you to the God class into the realm of possibilities. The Bible says in Mark 9:23, “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Not some things, all things! This is powerful!
There must be evidence that faith is at work. Faith that does not produce results is nothing but a mere wish. Faith is demonstrated by the tangible results it produces.
God intends for the just to live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4b, “…but the just shall live by his faith.” You cannot live by my faith and I cannot live by your faith. I cannot trust God for you; only you can do that.
But why does faith not work for majority of believers? How can you make your faith work?
If faith is going to produce results, three elements must be present:
- A firm foundation. If your faith is going to work, it must have a foundation. The foundation of faith is the promise of God. Where do you find the promise of God? The Bible! Our faith must be built on the mercy of God, the love of God, the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and in His precious and powerful name.
- Focus. Purpose. Your faith must be aimed at something you want to change or achieve.
- Action. James 2:20 (TEV), “You fool! Do you want to be shown that faith without actions is useless?” The crippled man by the gate beautiful received two instructions; first Peter said, ‘look on us’ he did, next he told him rise up and walk, he did. Jesus told the attendants at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, fill the pots with water, they did. Next, he told them draw out now, they did, and they got wine! Your action must match your belief if it is to produce any result. To that extent, action is the proof of faith. Jesus saw the faith of four friends who tore through the roof of the house where He was ministering to bring in their crippled friend to be ministered to. This action was the proof of their faith. Faith is worthless without action.
The Focus or Purpose Of Faith
Faith must have an assignment. Faith must have a focus. What is the purpose of faith; what is the target of prayer? The target of prayer is the purpose of faith. Faith must be targeted at something otherwise it will just be a mere waste of time and energy.
- The first purpose of faith is to Please God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6. By faith the elders of old obtained God’s approval. The way to pleasure God is to believe Him. God is excited to do things for those who trust Him to fulfil the promise He made to them.
- The second purpose of faith is to obtain results. Mark 11:24. Faith is for obtaining our heart’s desire through diving intervention. Faith produces proofs. Faith produces results when it is functional. Faith is necessary for exploits. The purpose of faith is to change your circumstance by engaging the forces of heaven to work in our favour. The woman with the issue of blood used her faith to obtain healing. Lepers used their faith to obtain healing. Don’t aim at too many things at the same time; take things one after the other. Focus on something until it is in your hands. Very soon you will have a long list of things you have accomplished. It is also for obtaining results in intercession for someone, a family, a church, or a nation. You could intercede for someone’s healing for instance. The purpose of faith is to solve problems.
- To glorify God’s name. God’s name is not glorified through your suffering or pain but through His intervention. And there is no intervention without your faith being fully exercised. I want you to understand that miracles take place not only to reward our faith but as proofs of His deity. John 11:4, “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” Lazarus did not fall sick and die because he was a sinner or because his sickness was beyond the healing power of God but because God wanted to glorify His name through the miracle of bringing him back from. Faith gives us testimonies that bring glory to the name of our great God Jehovah. The results of faith point others to His integrity, love, saving grace, power and greatness. His name is exalted and magnified through our testimonies of His goodness in our lives. Jesus admonished in Matthew 5:16 saying, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Holy and right living produce results that stand us out from the world around us to the glory of God’s holy name. Be determined from today to always use your faith to accomplish results that will bring glory to the name of God.
What circumstance do you want to change? What results do you have in mind? Aim your faith at something today and you will end up with a tangible miracle. Aim your faith at a particular problem and you will end up with the desired result.
Bishop Dr Charles Olowojoba is the General Overseer of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria & President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l. Website: www.dayspringcmi.org e-mail: [email protected] Help line: 08035150515
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