The Just Shall Live by Faith, Part 2

 The Just Shall Live by Faith, Part 2

Recapping my previous blog, 'The Just Shall Live by Faith, Part 1,' we defined faith as an unwavering belief in God and all that relates to Him. In order to please Him, it is crucial that we cultivate faith by acknowledging and trusting in His existence. The key method for acquiring this faith is through engaging with His word, be it through reading, listening, or interacting with Scripture. Genuine seeking of God opens the door to the potential of receiving divine rewards, as exemplified in the life of Abraham.

    Building on the measure of faith given to us, the next step is to actively pursue and seek God. This involves engaging in communication through prayer and deepening our understanding of Him through the study of His word. Once we establish this foundation, the subsequent step is learning how to put faith into practice. This is accomplished by gaining insights from the word of God and applying its teachings appropriately in our lives.

    In today's teaching, we will delve into the synergy between faith and actions (works). Additionally, we will explore the concept of the Spirit of Faith, a fundamental aspect of faith, and examine how it comes together with our prayers and contributes to our overall spiritual journey.

    Applying faith effectively involves understanding and following the principles outlined in the Bible. The Scriptures present a series of cause-and-effect relationships, illustrating the outcomes of different actions. God's laws delineate actions and their consequences, whether positive or negative. In essence, "cause and effect" denotes the link between events, where one action leads to a specific result—doing something results in something else.

    For example, the Bible provides guidance to follow a particular path (ABC), and this adherence leads to a specific outcome, establishing a "cause and effect" relationship. This illustrates how faith is applied to the Word of God. To truly have faith, it's crucial to comprehend the "cause and effect" inherent in God's laws.

     Let's examine the "cause and effect" relationship outlined in Psalm 41:1-3. The scripture states, "Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed." 

    Now, let's dissect the cause-and-effect relationship outlined in this scripture. Breaking it down, the central cause emphasized in this passage is "helping the poor." The ensuing effects encompass "God's intervention during times of trouble, preservation, and safety, prosperity and favor in one's surroundings, protection from the schemes of enemies, and healing and support during sickness."

    Given this cause-and-effect relationship, do you believe that a person adhering to the principle of helping the poor, and who happens to be facing challenges, illness, or lack, can call out to God while reminding Him of His Word and maintaining faith, resulting in answered prayers? I am strongly convinced that God will indeed respond.

    The Scriptures affirm that God's Word is infallible, and it will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). Furthermore, He has elevated His Word above even His name, establishing it as law (Psalm 138:2). Let's also remember the assurance that God is faithful and incapable of lying (Psalms 33:4, Deuteronomy 32:4, 1 Corinthians 1:9, Hebrews 6:18, Numbers 23:19). The assurance that this prayer will be answered stems from the fact that God's Word holds the status of law. Undoubtedly, this prayer will be answered because God cannot lie. This illustrates the inherent cause-and-effect relationship within the Word of God and demonstrates how faith operates. It serves as a prime example of faith with works, perfectly aligning as stated in James 2:22.

    Now that we have a clear understanding of how faith operates, which involves applying God’s word to see results, let's delve into the spirit of faith. Faith originates from the spirit and is a gift from God, allowing belief, acceptance, and confident expression in matters beyond our five senses. While everyone possesses a measure of faith, its extent varies depending on one's yielding, submission, and understanding of God. To make this more understandable, let's turn to 2 Corinthians 4:13 to gain context and insight into how the spirit of faith truly functions.

    The verse states,  ‘And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed and therefore I spoke,' we also believe and therefore speak.’ This verse unveils that faith, as a spiritual force, empowers us to comprehend things beyond our physical senses. Consequently, we can rely on God's word even in the absence of tangible proof, confidently speak as if it's a reality, and witness its fulfillment because God's word is both spirit and life (John 6:63) and functions as a sword in the spiritual realm (Ephesians 6:17). His word is also law.

    The scripture underscores the significant influence of our words: 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits' (Proverbs 18:21). Job 22:28 supports this idea, affirming, 'You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you.' The demonstration of this principle in action embodies the spirit of faith. David conveyed a similar understanding in Psalms 116:10, stating, 'I believed, therefore I spoke.' This underscores the deep impact of faith on shaping our words and, consequently, our reality, as Scripture states that the word of God is like a fire and a hammer that breaks the rocks into pieces (Jeremiah 23:29).

    Put plainly, faith is more than just belief; it is a spiritual force that we receive in different measures as we deepen our relationship with God. This measure of faith expands as we gain understanding. In essence, faith develops as we hear and comprehend God's word, and it becomes stronger through consistent engagement with it.

    The spirit of faith empowers us to embrace and regard spiritual truths as real and factual. Faith isn't fully explicable by logic; it's a supernatural and spiritual element. When we apply the principles of faith, even if they appear illogical, there's a force that turns the seemingly impossible into the possible. The Spirit of Faith works hand in hand with God's spoken words or promises, which are also spiritual. Aligning our faith with God's promises, empowered by the spirit of faith, enables us to believe and treat them as reality, resulting in the fulfillment of those promises in our lives.

    Faith is a gift bestowed upon us by God, and it is one of the key elements that enhance our prayers, pleasing God and resulting in rewards. Understanding the entirety of the concept of faith enables us to operate by faith and not by sight, just as Abraham did. Our pursuit of God, leading to knowing Him and walking in obedience, contributes to the expansion of our faith level.

    I encourage you to invest time in getting to know God through reading His word. Foster a relationship with Him, and walk in obedience by yielding to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who makes the Word of God understandable, enabling you to trust and navigate life by faith rather than relying solely on what you see. As a child of God, you live by faith and not by sight; there's no avoiding it—tests will come your way.

Cultivating a prayer life is of paramount importance for your spiritual journey, particularly in a fast-paced society where allocating exclusive time for prayer can be challenging. The solution is clear: "Simply Prayer for Our Daily Journey," a scripture-enriched prayer book designed for all aspects of life. Additionally, pair it with a Faith-building scripture book to assist you in persevering through the waiting time on God’s promises and strengthening your faith. However, it's essential to note that this prayer book doesn't replace genuine, quality time with God; you must spend dedicated time with Him.