Faith is the basis of our
relationship with God. There are many Bible verses about faith and most of them
depict faith as an action word and not a vague state of mind. In fact, we read
in 1ST Thessalonians 1:3 We remember
before God - your work was produced by
faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Recently a friend sent me a message at 10:00pm to pray for her sister’s family because they were all battling the stomach flu. I saw the message at 11:15pm and responded, “Absolutely”. The next day she shared that the family was feeling much better and the vomiting stopped the night before at 11pm. Looks my prayers at 11:15pm didn’t matter… So what happened? I learned that my friend had sent the message to many others asking for prayer. They played a part in the family’s healing with their obedience to pray for others. My friend was involved when, in faith, she took the need to other believers.
It can seem confusing
when we wonder how faith relates to action and to results. Does the person we
are praying for need to have faith in God or is our faith enough? Does faith
need works to be real? Is faith needed before
action or does action produce faith? Jesus
talked about faith in many different forms, as did some of the disciples. Let’s look to see what the Bible tells us
about faith.
YOUR OWN FAITH FOR HEALING AND SALVATION
“Go,” said Jesus, “your
faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus
along the road. Mark 10:52
And He said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50
FAITH OF OTHERS FOR HEALING
Then Jesus said to her,
“Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was
healed at that moment. Matthew 15:28
Some men brought to Him a
paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man,
“Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven…. Get up, take your mat and
go home.” Then the man got up and went home. Matthew 9:1,2,6
FAITH STARTS ACTION
Jesus answered and said
to them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith, and doubt not, you shall not
only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if you shall say to this
mountain, Be you removed and cast into the sea; it shall be done. Matthew
21:21
Above all, taking up the
shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked. Ephesians 6:16
ACTION
BUILDS FAITH
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7
What does it profit, my
brothers, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? Can faith alone save
him? You see…
his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made
complete by what he did. James 2:14,22
The timeline of healing for my friend’s family told me I wasn’t
involved in God’s work since I didn’t see the message until 11:15pm and they’d
already stop vomiting. But maybe I am a part….
Just hearing the story of healing built my faith and prompted me to
share it with you. I believe, through
faith, that the story will boost your faith and you might share it with others
one day. Our faith and stories of faith at work are meant to be shared.
Here is my prayer of Faith for you: **That the communication of your faith may
become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in
Christ Jesus.** (Philemon 1:6)
click here to see a music
video “ Faith! I Can Move a Mountain”
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