One of the most essential subjects in scripture is faith. The Bible says, “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6) and “the just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17) and “according to your faith let it to you” (Matthew 9:29). By just these three passages, we can understand the importance the Father and the Lord Jesus place on our walking by faith.
Faith is an intangible power. You cannot see it with the naked eye, but it has the power to change the world around it. According to scripture, God has given a measure of faith to everyone in Christ (Romans 12:3b). What we do with it is our responsibility and privilege. But how does faith come? How does it grow? Is it something we can just conjure up?
Jesus told His disciples to have the faith of God (Mark 11:23-24). Most Bibles translate that passage to say, “Have faith in God” which itself is a good thing. But it means more than that. It means to have faith like God, who spoke the worlds into existence out of nothing (Romans 4:17).
God calls those things that be not, as though they were. He spoke light when there was nothing but darkness. He spoke the worlds into existence when there was nothing but emptiness. He created all things through words of faith. That is why Jesus told His disciples to have the faith of God, and gave a word picture of mountains being removed through the power of their faith filled words.
As mentioned, God gives each of us a measure of faith when we are born-again. It is not something we intrinsically carry from birth, but something He deposits within us so we can respond to His grace.
Ephesians 2:8 says, “by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Both the grace and the faith are gifts of God. Our initial faith has been given to us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. However, there is a maturing in faith that should take place as we grow up spiritually.
Any athlete knows they must develop their muscles for competition. Although they were born with the same number of muscles, those muscles are not strong enough to compete in a championship game. They must be conditioned and strengthened through exercise, nutrition, training, and rest.
The same is true with believers. The faith we received at the new birth must be exercised, built-up, and nourished.
There is no substitute or shortcut for growing spiritually. We MUST follow the scriptural prescription of meditation in God’s word (Joshua 1:8-9), praying in the Spirit (Jude 1:20, Ephesians 6:18), and receiving revelatory knowledge from the Father through His Holy Spirit (Matthew 16:17).
This requires time in the Father’s presence, and in His written and spoken word. Not just reading the Bible but allowing the scripture to become alive in our hearts to the point of unswerving confidence in God and His promises.
Again this will not take place apart from an intentional decision to spend quality time in His presence, through prayer, study of the scriptures, and meditation of His Word.
We are called to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). When we try to do otherwise, we end up walking in fear, confusion, and chaos. Faith is our birthright and foundation.
According to the apostle Paul, three things will remain, faith, hope, and love. We will be like our Father throughout eternity exercising our faith to rule and reign with Christ.
How does faith come about?
We learned that God gives us our initial faith during our salvation experience once we are enlightened to understand Jesus Christ is Lord. But how does faith come?
The Bible has the answer to this question.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
Notice it does not say, “faith comes by reading the word of God.” It says, faith comes by HEARING the word of God. The Greek word for “word” is ‘rhema’, which signifies a specific spoken word. It is not a general, vague, unclear word, but a specific clearly revealed word that generates faith.
When Noah heard God tell him to build an ark, he received faith to do it, and therefore was able to save his household during the catastrophic flood that destroyed every living creature outside the ark.
When Joshua heard the Lord tell him the strategy needed to overthrow Jericho (Joshua 6:1-5) he received faith and boldness to follow through and defeat this great fortified city.
When Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, he did it in response to Jesus first saying, “Come.” (Matthew 14:22-32) He heard what Jesus said and his faith was activated. He then was able to walk on the water. Of course, we see how he began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus and forgot the word Jesus gave him.
Jesus said His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. This gives us all access to faith that comes from “hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) If we want our faith to grow, we must “hear” what the Word of God (Jesus) is saying to us.
Jesus is the Living Word of God (John 1:1) and speaks to His sheep continually (John 10:27). Obeying His voice and walking with Him is walking in faith. It is not based upon the voice of circumstances or the natural realm. It is based upon Him who spoke the stars, galaxies, and world into existence.
Again, faith is not something we can conjure up on our own efforts. It can only come by a revelation from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says Jesus is “the Author and Finisher” of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). When He speaks a word (rhema) in our hearts, it activates our faith to respond accordingly.
Jesus told His disciples they could ask what they desired, and it would be granted, IF His Word (rhema) was abiding in them (John 15:7). In other words, there is no way to have strong faith without abiding in God’s revealed word and having a ongoing intimate fellowship with Him. Walking in the light of His revelation is walking in faith. Faith is born and matured out of relationship with God.
More next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father richly bless and keep you.
James Brown CST 07/22/2023