Faith
Do You Need More Faith?
Recently, I quipped that I needed more faith. But, a dear brother corrected me that there is no such thing as having more faith. He explained that one either has faith or unbelief. What my brother had said left a deep impression in my inner man. In other words, a glass either contains water -- no matter how little or much, or it is completely dry.
If we are double-minded in our praying, James 1:7 assures us that we can expect not to receive anything from the Lord. So, just how much faith do we need to see God’s miracle-working power in our life’s situation? Would we have all of our heart’s desires from God our heavenly Father if only we can have more faith?
For sure, faith is seen by our works. We have faith to board an aeroplane or even just to sit on a chair. Faith is faith; we either have it or not. Scripture tells us of numerous occasions when Jesus commended specific persons whom He has met for their faith. They all received their miracle from God. Hebrews 11 keeps a record of some of our elders and forerunners who have by faith obtained a good testimony.
Jesus says that we only need faith as a mustard seed to experience God’s supernatural power. A seed contains life-producing power, regardless of its size. It will anchor roots, shoot leaves and bear fruits, given the right conditions. In Matthew 17:16 ~ 18 the disciples could not cast out the demon from an epileptic. “So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:20,21).
Also, in Mark 11: 21, Peter remarked to Jesus that the fig tree which He cursed yesterday had withered away. “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them”(Mark 11:23,24).
As God is not a man that He should lie, we know that He will honour His word. Corrie Ten Boom once said, "It is not great faith in God that counts, but faith in a great God." When we have prayed in faith, what then are the hindrances that keep us from receiving the answer to our prayers?
The first possible cause is our unforgiveness towards others. “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses”(Mark 11:25, 26).
Secondly, besides forgiving others we need to ask God to forgive us of our sins as often as necessary, including asking His forgiveness for the sins that we are unaware of. For, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear”(Psalm 66:18). Let us keep our heart pure. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”(Psalm 139:14).
Thirdly, our prayer will go amiss if we pray amiss, that is, praying outside the will of God. God knows the plan He has for us, and has redeemed us from the penalty of our sins for the good works, which He has prepared ahead of time for us to take up. We need to forsake living according to the flesh and be spiritually minded, which is life and peace. To this end we need to constantly renew our mind with the word of God so that we might prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God. As we read the word of God, the Holy Spirit will help us to know the mind of Christ, and know God’s perfect will for us. When our spirit concurs with the will of God, there will be no stopping to our praying for God is ready to perform His word.
Fourthly, we need to guard our lips. For instance, if we confess our lack, be not surprise that it will be fulfilled. With Wisdom we can combat our lack with the sword of the Spirit (the word of God) and say that “The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want” and “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.
Fifthly, we need to prosper our soul (mind, emotion and will) by knowing the truth of all that God has promised us and walking in the light of this truth. Let us not be hoodwinked by satan’s lies or our lapses to carnal-mindedness. We are truly more than conquerors in Christ Jesus, through whom we can do all things. And, no weapon form against us might prosper. We are the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2). God’s will for us is to prosper in life: spirit, soul, body, finances, relationships and all.
In this connection, it is noteworthy that: Faith + Patience = Promise. God’s timing is perfect. In the fullness of time when the conditions are ripe (e.g. when we are well-trained and prepared), He will release His promise to us.
May the truth contains herein prompts us to achieve new breakthroughs in our walk with God. We have faith in God and can also receive the gift of faith by the Holy Spirit. We have faith enough to actualise that all the promises of God are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ Jesus. We are of all people the most blessed. It’s up to us to act upon God’s truth and prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
(All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
© Copyright 2006, by Michael S K Chu.
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