Why Faith Is So Important in Our Lives
Why is the message of faith so important and why can’t it be overemphasized?
- Because no one can be saved without faith. Ephesians 2:8 (KJV) says, for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
- The Christian life is only lived by faith. Romans 1:16-17 declares, the just shall live by faith.
- We are also justified by faith. Romans 5:1 says, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God. The Greek word for “peace” here is not shalom but eirēnē, meaning harmony, reconciliation, no more strife, and no more war between us and God through justification by faith.
- We walk by faith, as 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us.
- We can’t have answers to prayer without faith. Mark 11:24 teaches, believe that you receive them, and you will have them, and James 1:5-6 instructs us to ask in faith without doubting.
- Only faith pleases God. Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear that without faith, it is impossible to please Him.
- Jesus Himself lived by faith. Galatians 2:20 (KJV) says, the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.
- Even God has faith. Mark 11:22 (DRA) reads, Have the faith of God.
Jesus and God have faith because they trust what they say.
Definition:
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Faith is trusting that what God says is true and reliable.
Faith is to trust what God says regardless of what is happening in or around you.
In Matthew 8:7-10 the centurion said to Jesus, “Only say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus called this, “great faith” because the man trusted His word alone.
In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus rebuked the disciples’ lack of faith when they failed to trust His word, “Let us cross to the other side.”
The Word of God confirms His faithfulness: Psalm 138:2 says, you have exalted Your word above Your name. Titus 1:2 reminds us God cannot lie. Isaiah 55:10-11 declares His Word accomplishes what He pleases. Numbers 23:19 assures us God is not a man that He should lie.
The Enemies of Faith
The enemies of faith are unbelief and doubt.
Unbelief stops the power of God from working. In Mark 6:1-5, Jesus could not do many mighty works in His hometown because of unbelief.
Doubt, as seen in Peter’s walk on water, weakens faith. Doubt and fear come from the devil, and James 4:7 says to resist the devil, which means to fight back.
Some people succeed by willpower, but the Christian life requires faith power — trusting God’s Word over circumstances.
Living by faith is essential. Habakkuk 2:4 says, the just shall live by his faith. Romans 1:17 says, From faith to faith… the just shall live by faith. Hebrews 10:38 says, If anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, We Walk by faith, not by sight.
To live by faith: don’t focus on the facts but on God’s Word. In Romans 4:16-25, Abraham did not consider the deadness of his own body or Sarah’s womb, but trusted God’s promise, fully convinced that what God had promised, He was able to perform.
Constantly fight doubt, fear, and unbelief.
Doubt is a spirit of uncertainty; fear is a spirit that expects danger or failure.
To fight them, resist them by speaking God’s Word out loud and filling your spirit with Scripture.
James 4:7 says, Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. The way to fight unbelief is to saturate your heart with the Word, maintain positive thinking, and keep a confession of faith in line with what God says.
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God bless you
Pastor Jules