Growing in Faith

Faith represents your ACTION towards God's word or His promise when you believe!

"If anything works in your life without faith, it is only an act of God's mercy and sovereignty" - Apostle Michael Orokpo

Christianity is a very unique religion compare to others. If you are called a Christian, what it simply means is that you are a follower of Christ or Christlike. You have the nature of Christ and follow his principles. It is either you are a Christian or not. The era of sitting on the fence is over. Year 2020 (Covid 19 pandemic breakout) has so much revealed that to us as well as introductory message I wrote in "Prayer and The Word" series.

I once told our lifegroup members that the year 2020 seems like the beginning an era to expose those who live by faith and those who don't. The days of God overlooking ignorance are over. [Acts 17:29-31] It is either you believe the promises of God and have peace, rest and see his salvation or you live in worry, fear and despair for the rest of your life.

It won't change the fact that God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love, power and sound mind. The choice is yours. [Deut. 30:15-20]

Because the Bible was very clear when it said in Isaiah 60 - darkness will cover the earth and gross darkness the peoples but didn't leave us hopeless. The Lord will rise upon you and his glory will be seen upon us.

Some of the lessons you will learn from this message may sound sensitive or challenging but this is written to encourage us, charge us to wake up to the reality and expectations God has of us as his son and daughter.

Faith is one of the most important topic in Bible and even Jesus has expressed its importance numerous times, He has shown his displeasure when people act without faith or do not understand what it means. I pray God uses this message to open up your eyes of understanding, provoke an awakening in your spirit that you may know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people) [Ephe 1:18]

What is Faith?

In one word, it means obedience. In few words, it means placing your complete trust and confidence in God our Father and His Son whom He has sent to save us waiting for His intervention for your own victory.

Faith is a life of persuasion and conviction in God.

Faith begins where God has made a provision, where God has made a promise, where God has made a commitment/Covenan.

Grace makes this provision, Faith makes the appropriation.

If the definition is this simple, how come most Christians lack faith? Because they have not so learned Christ. [Ephe 4:20-24]. It is complete waste of time expecting to grow in faith towards God when you have not prioritized and developed strong desire to know who God is, why He sent His Son, nature, character, promises, and glory (who he is, has and can do).

All these are to be considered carefully if we are serious about growing in faith.

Hebrews 11 is full of testimonies from those who has gone ahead of us. They expressed faith and gained approval from God and obtain a great reputation. Therefore we must live by faith.

But God loves me! Yes but even our salvation is by faith [Ephe 2:8]. we accept Christ by faith [Romans 10:9], we follow him by faith [Matt 4:19], we grow in Christ by faith [Col 2:6-7], we live and we have our being by faith [Acts 17:24-28].

The most important aspect in our walk with God immediately after salvation (accepting Christ as our savior and king) is growing in faith in Christ.

I really don't know how Christians want to live a victorious life (above defeat, sorrow, pain reproach and challenges of life) without expressing faith towards God.

Why is Faith Important?

1. Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exist, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. [Hebrew 11:6]

Faith represents your ACTION towards God's word or His promise when you believe!

If pleasing God is important to you and His disposition matters to you then you must walk the path of faith.

Rev 4:11 reminds us that all things are and were created including humans for His pleasure. Therefore, if we are going to fulfil the purpose of why we are created. Living by faith and pleasing him cannot be neglected.

a. When Blind Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing, he began to shout "Son of David, have mercy on me" and eventually through his expression of faith received his healing [Mark 10:46-52]

b. The Centurion in Capernaum understood the power physical and spiritual authority. He didn't need Jesus to come under his roof to pray for his paralyzed servant, He simply asked him to say the word and his servant will be healed. Even Jesus was amazed and said He has NOT FOUND such great faith in Israel. Does this not inform you that Jesus is on the look out for those who will please Him in the expression of their faith? [Matt 8:5-13]

c. A leper came up to Jesus, bowed down in honor and reverence expressing his faith that Jesus is able to heal him of his leprosy and God crowned his faith by expressing his willingness to cleanse him and make him whole. Despite the little knowledge depicted in the passage of God's will concerning healing leprosy. He still trusted that Jesus is capable to heal him. [Matt 8:1-3]

d. Similar expression of faith from one ruler of synagogue named Jarius in which his only daughter (12 years of age) was dying [Luke 8:41]. He asked for help from Jesus. He believed Jesus is able to heal his daughter and took action and his expectation was not cut short. Even when he was told that her daughter was dead, Jesus still reassures him not to fear but to only believe [verse 49-50]

e. The woman with the issue of blood [Luke 8:43-48], was informed that Jesus was passing by and she summoned courage despite all she has been through, finds her way to Jesus, managed to touched his helm of garment and received her healing. She believed in the healing power available in Jesus and took action.

Medication and Physicians has failed according to the passage, you do not need to wait till he gets to the point where you have no choice left before trusting in Jesus. Why not put her trust and faith him now that the issue/sickness has not reached a critical point where panic mode is at the maximum level. Is it not better to build your faith now?

2. Our faith is also the victory that overcomes the world [1 John 5:4]

Every child of God defeats this evil world. We have an overcomers spirit and we are victorious through the Jesus the lamb of God and we achieve this victory by faith.

3. God's Presence may not matter except you engage Him by Faith [Matt 14:22-33]

If anything works in your life without faith, it is only an act of God's mercy and sovereignty.

After a time of prayer alone. Jesus walked on water to meet the disciples in the middle of the sea. Peter, one of the disciples was intrigued when he saw Jesus walked on water. He requested if he could the same and loving Jesus said "come". Peter believed, stepped out of the boat and walked to meet Jesus but for a moment, he redirected his focus from Jesus to the boisterous wind (i.e challenges, situations, tribulations) and became afraid, began to sink until he cried out Jesus for help.

So, even God's presence did not stop Peter from sinking until he expressed faith and called for help. There are times and seasons in our lives that we will be left with no option than to walk on water and call to God in prayer to hold our hand. We must learn to trust and obey. Once he said to Peter "come" - all other circumstances/challenges doesn't matter anymore, Gods word and promise do.

What is that thing that represents water in your life that makes you feel, it will not be possible, why not submit to Jesus, step out in faith like Peter. Jesus is already waiting on the other side to embrace you. At the proclamation of His word, the water transforms from liquid to solid so that you can walk on it. Look up to Jesus and you will never sink.

Prayer: My Father, Lord King, thank you that you hear me even before I say a word. Lord, thank you because I can trust you and your word. Right now, I receive your grace to believe you completely and always be ready to take a step of faith, help me walk over my challenges and achieve my goals according to your will, knowing you are always with me. Amen.

4. Faith is key to answers [Joh 11:1-44]

The story of Lazarus and how Jesus raised him from death to life is incredible and quite a lot of lessons to learn from the passage. Martha believed Jesus is the Son of God, she knows that whatever Jesus ask from God, God will give him however, she still doubt if his brother can rise again just because Jesus turned up late to the occasion. God's delay is not denial. Our role is to believe who He is and His Word [verse 40]. For as long our desires are in line with God's will. He will come through. Faith and Patience is the key to answered prayers. If Martha and Mary had faith, they would have prayed for their brother in the name of Jesus and Lazarus would have still been raised to life whether Jesus was present or not.

5. Faith is prescribed by God to everyone who has been Justified [Rom 1:17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38, 2 Cor 5:7]

The just shall live by faith. Have you noticed this statement was repeated in the Bible? It just shows how important faith is for us as Christians. Even the process of becoming a Christian is an expression of faith. This is one of the ways in which Christianity is different from every other "religion"

Why do people choose not to place their full trust and confidence in Christ?

1. Seeing things from their perspective alone and not Gods'

Having led several lifegroup sessions, counselling and held several conversations with friends, I have discovered that people particularly 'Christians' who should be faith driven saints seldom chooses when to express faith and when not to, depending on the severity of the case/issue at hand.

Most Christians tends to look at issues of life from their own perspective and capabilities to either provide a solution or use that as benchmark towards God to measure if he can help or not. Little did we know that what seems like a big deal to us e.g cancer is so little in Gods eyes whereas when we consider headache, our fears/risk is very low and we automatically believe it will go either by faith or by medication but the moment is a big issue according to our definition, we often think the magnitude of the issue also increases in Gods eyes. Unfortunately not, definitely not how God sees issues of life. That is human perspective.

With God, all things are possible to him that believes [Mark 9:23]. Nothing is too hard for God [Jer. 32:27].

2. Alternative Syndrome

Some people may not necessarily see a reason to place their faith in Jesus because they simply have other options/choices/solution. Exercising faith to some people seems like a waste of time. They have not learnt and understood difference between faith and works and how both must be combined to see instant and desired outcome/result.

If you focus on works/doing/taking action without faith, you are in error, if you focus on faith without works/action/doing, you are still in error.

Bible was very clear, James 2:14-26, "I will show you my faith by my works" "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

We need to be sensitive and ask for the gift of discernment so that we can perceive when certain problems are backed up with demonic powers.

There are some kind of issues that will not go unless by prayer and fasting in faith. [1 John 3:8, Matt 17:20-21, Acts 10:38]

For we are not ignorant of the devices of the enemy (satan) [2 Cor 2:11], Jesus was very clear when he read satan's manifesto - he is here to kill, steal and destroy while Jesus has come to avert this plans and grant us his very life of victory and dominion over principalities and powers [John 10:10]

Degrees/Levels of Faith

Faith is not just an act but a life, you have to grow in faith.

1. No Faith - [Mark 4:40, Deut. 32:20]

It is possible to believe in God but still do not have faith. People who argue on everything are very difficult to persuade unless they see with their eyes. A typical example is Thomas.

Remedy: Be openminded in your mind to learn.

2. Little Faith - [Mark 4:40, Matt 8:26]

This is similar to No faith but these ones have an open mind, ready to learn and believe but they have fear and doubt.

Remedy: Get a spiritual mentor and seek support, follow those who have strong faith.

3. Weak Faith [Romans 4:19, 2 Cor 4:18, 2 Kings 3:17, Romans 14:1-2]

At this point, It does not necessarily relates to fear but such people always considers everything. They are mostly too logical and calculative. They know too much for their faith to produce result.

Faith becomes weak when consideration takes over the place of believing.

Remedy: Learn to go against your consideration, just take a step of faith. Cast down your imaginations so that they don't subdue your faith. Keep carrying out the actions. [2 Cor 10:3-5].

The harder the situation from your own perspective, the simpler it is for God [Matt 19:26]

If you have the courage to pray and heal someone who had headache, you should have same courage to pray and heal someone suffering from cancer. Its not about you, its about faith in God. It is the power of God that is at work in us.

4. Dead Faith [James 2:19-26]

This is not a good state to be as such people succumb to arguments and doesn't take action.

5. Vain Faith [1 Cor 15:14] -

This level relates to a baseless faith that is not substantiated. Weak and unproductive faith

6. Steadfast Faith - [Col 2:5]

Faith that endures when you don't see instant result. Stand your ground no matter what happens. Remain steady in your conviction towards God. No room for compromise.

7. Strong Faith [Roman 4:18=21]

This level of faith rejoices in the midst of circumstances. Celebrating in advance for the result yet unseen. That's how to intimidate the devil.

Our conviction in God should be our persuasion not answers to prayers. Will you still praise God even when you don't see the result of what you have prayed for?

8. Unfeigned Faith - [1 Tim 1:5, 2 Tim 1:5]

Sincere faith, Honest/True faith. Its a test of faith. Also it reveals the level of power to stay true to your action or word.

9. Great Faith -[Luke 7:1-9, Matt 15:21-28]

Faith that produces result, breaks protocols, create answers where there is not anytime. Answer is guaranteed even without the physical presence of Jesus. Power of God backs up every spoken word.

10. Rich Faith [James 2:5-6, Gal 5:6]

To be rich in faith is to be have full stature/maturity in Christ. Its a kind of faith where your motivation is about glorifying God and not just manifestation of result.

Its a complete state of total submission and purity in your dealings with God.

All of the above has been designed by God to bring us into perfection in our work with God. So do not feel discouraged, just keep growing, its a journey. [Hebrews 10:39]

Enemies of Faith

1. Fear [2 Tim 1:7]

2. Unbelief [Mark 11:24]

3. Lack of Love [Gal 5:6]

4. Sin [Romans 6:!]

How to Grow in Faith

1. Understanding our Positional Advantages in Christ [Ephe 2: 4-6, Ephe 1: 20, 21, 1 Cor 6:17, Ephe 6:10]

2. Consciousness of your oneness with Christ [John 17:23]

3. Praying in the Spirit - 2 Cor 4:18, Jude 1:20, Rom 8:26-27]

4. Using the Scripture as a base for your conviction [Luke 4:17-21, Heb 10:7]

5. Align your action with your faith [James 2:17-26, Psalm 23:1]

6. Listening to gospel music, and spending time to watch/listen to Bible based sermons. [Romans 10:17, Phil 4:8, Acts 20:32]