Rewarding Faith:

     Rewarding Faith

                               

Part 1:   Walking In Him

 

But without "faith" it is impossible to please God. For he who comes to God must believe that God exists and that God is a “rewarder” of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6.

 

Between the fall of man and the catching away (rapture) of the church, God has set in motion the force of faith in the earth.

 

In the Garden of Eden, Adam did not need faith to please God. They walked and talked together in complete fellowship. We can see this in Genesis 1-2. So Adam didn’t need the written word to give him a revelation of God the Father, to prove to him that God existed. He was there to watch over His man and to provide for his every need.

 

Now, today we have the God kind of faith that enables us to stand and proclaim that the same God who looked after and provided for the first man, is still the same God today, and still desires to do the same for us.

 

How do we know this?

 

We go to His word; we read it as a special letter written from a Father to his children. We receive His word literally and make a choice to believe or to disbelieve.

 

Look at this, And so it is written the first Adam became a living being. The last Adam (Jesus) became a life giving spirit. 1Corinthians15:45. The Amplified Bible says this, a life giving Spirit – restoring the spiritually dead to life. How many know that Jesus is the life giver? Remember this, I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly. John10:10b

 

                                                     

 Now this is the same life that Adam had before the fall, only in our case we have a spiritual force (enemy) that works 24 hours a day to steal the word from our heart or spirit man. This is where the force of faith comes into play. I don’t care if it’s the world’s biggest atheist, or the greatest Christian of all time, we all have the same enemy trying to steal, kill and destroy what God has created. John 10:10a

 

The Bible says that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), that means our family, friends, neighbours or other believers. Our  fight is a spiritual fight, we have got to wake up to this reality, or we can never be overcomers in the way that God intended us to be.

 

God has provided mankind a better way than what most people care to acknowledge. His name is Jesus, the door of salvation. Or as I prefer to call Him, the door of deliverance.

 

Now every believer knows that he has been called by God to live by faith (Hebrews 10:38), whether we choose to or not, it is entirely up to us, we have two choices in every area of life. We can go to work or stay home, we can eat meat or turn it down and we can go to church or play ball. It is our choice. Well it’s the very same with us and God. We can obey Him or go our own way. If we go with Him we can be victorious, if we go our own way the word says the end is death. (Proverbs 14:12).

 

But, what does the word say? Without faith it is impossible to please God. I choose to please God therefore I have to live by faith.                                                          

 

I believe that after Adam was banished from the garden, his greatest desire for the rest of his life was to get back into fellowship with the Father. Well that wasn’t possible until the great sacrifice at Calvary. That’s when Jesus became a life giving spirit. Now spiritually speaking, whosoever will, can enter in and will by no means be cast out.

 

After the rapture (catching away) of the church, things will be as they were meant to be concerning God and His people. We will not need faith to please Him for we shall be with Him and see Him as He really is.

 

1John 5:4 says, whatever is born of God overcomes the world and this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith.

 

While we are in the world and our enemy is attacking us constantly, we need the force of faith to enable us to be overcomers.

 

We who live in this world are temporarily engaged in spiritual warfare. How do we fight this fight? By the force of faith. 1timothy 6:12 says to fight the good fight of faith. Why is it called a good fight? Because the victory has already been won. Jesus is called the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2.

 

We have His authority to execute judgement on Satan’s plan. Whatever battle or skirmish that we become involved in has already been won in Gods eyes. If we don’t overcome it’s not His fault. He has done it all for us. Ephesians six tells us exactly what we have, and what we need to do to stand against the devil. We can learn to be victorious every time, once we learn to live by faith.

 

Now here is the scripture that I have been leading up to. Two of the most important scriptures in your Bible. If you had a top ten of Bible verses these two would be on the list. Look at this, As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it (faith) with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7.

 

I understand that believers are at different levels of growth. But if we can grasp how important it is to reach this level, then we have a revelation of where God wants all of us to be.

 

Let’s read it once again, as you have therefore received Christ. How? By faith, as a child obeys its parents, we have obeyed the word; this is how we walk in our daily lives. Rooted or planted in Him and established in the faith, as we have been taught, abounding in faith and giving thanks.

 

Simply put, the writer of Colossions is saying exactly what Jesus said in Matthew 7:24, “Who ever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

 

 

Every time we use the word in faith to defeat the enemy we are adding another rock to the foundation of our lives. And if I have a firm foundation then I’m not only able to support myself, but I can lend support to you also.

 

So let’s examine verse six, as you have received Christ. How did it happen? With me it went like this. Because of certain circumstances, I began to watch a TV preacher. Note: It is not the man on TV, on the radio or from the pulpit that brings deliverance, but the word of life that he preaches. Be careful because many do not preach the word of life. At this time I was very open to the Gospel and because my spirit man was ready to receive, the word began to take root. God’s word is spiritual seed. (Mark 4:14). After it took root it began to grow, as it grew I received revelation that I needed a Saviour. This time when the prayer was prayed to accept Christ as Saviour, I sank to my knees and became a new creature in Christ.    (2 Corinthians 5:17).

 

So what is next? As you have received Him, so walk in Him. I received Him by faith so that’s how I am to walk. The faith of a child, it could not be any simpler. I believe what my Father says in his word and I act on it. What will the Word of Life do for me? It will bring deliverance and rewards in all areas of life.

 

If there is a circumstance or a mountain that is hindering my walk, I go to the word concerning my situation, receive it into my spirit, let it grow just as before, and sooner or later it has got to work. Why? Because God is not a man that He should lie. (Numbers 23:19).

 

Satan can rise up against me and if I am prepared for battle I can be a winner every time. But you don’t get to be strong in faith overnight. Faith comes by hearing the word of God.This is how we become built up and established and abound with thanksgiving.

 

Why do I need strong faith? Let me think. Are my finances low? Does my body need healing? Does my partner need agreement in prayer? If so then the stronger my faith is, the better for all concerned.

 

Look at this, again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together) about anything and everything, whatever they shall ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19.

 

If one person can have strong faith, what about two or more?

 

This is a strong statement of faith. If two harmonize together and ask anything it will be done.

 

Now we must understand one thing, He is talking about being in the will of God. He is not going to go against His laws that are already in place and will be for eternity. Remember we can’t run around confessing things that are out of His will, this will only show that we are walking in foolishness instead of faith.

 

But knowing Gods will and being willing to carry it out is a big step for any believer. We should be prepared for God to use us at any time.

 

Who is an overcomer? I believe he’s the one who walks in Christ to the best of His ability.

 

Written by: R W Nagle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                     

 

       Rewarding Faith

                                         

 Part 2:  Steps To Receiving

 

But without "faith" it is impossible to please God. For he who comes to God must believe that God exists and that God is a “rewarder” of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6.

 

In part one of our lesson we talked about Adam in the garden not needing to live by faith. Why? Because he had an up close and personal relationship with God the Father.

 

He didn’t need the written word, he didn’t have to memorize Bible verses, to plant the seed of the word in his spirit, and to speak the word of faith from his mouth, believing what he spoke would come to pass.

 

Adam didn’t have to overcome because at that time there was no enemy to overcome. Adam had not as yet turned his dominion of the earth over to Satan.

 

We also looked at the church after the rapture. When we all come together with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we won’t have to live by faith because all of our opposition will be gone. We will no longer have a spiritual enemy to do battle with.

 

So the place we are at right now, between the fall of man and the rapture of the church, is the place where faith in God, His word and His power is needed.

 

It’s sad to say but most people do not have a revelation of who their real enemy is. If you asked a worldly person, they would say, my neighbour, the guy at the bar, or somebody at work etc.

 

Even Christians don’t realize who their real enemy is. The word says we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but we see it all the time in the church.

 

Do we have a revelation of who our real enemy is? If you read and study the Bible then you know there is a spiritual force that is very much alive and active in the world today.

 

Paul identified Satan as the god of this world system (2 Corinthians 4:4), and I believe Paul knew what He was talking about. You really just have to take a close look at the world around you and evil is everywhere. As a matter of fact at this present time, right has become wrong and vice versa.

 

So what has God done? He has given us the force of faith to enable us to overcome and to be victorious. Jude 3 says, the faith was delivered to the saints. Romans 12:3 says, God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. So then the force of faith is available to every man.

 

Faith is available to the sinner as soon as he makes a decision for Christ. After that it’s available day or night to see him through to the end.

 

Some people never strive to be strong in faith. I don’t understand it but it’s true. There are people who get saved by faith and live the rest of their life defeated. All the while they have the word of life at their fingertips, just waiting to be opened and given a chance to work for them.

 

One part of our opening scripture says that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Some people say yes, when I get to Heaven I will have my reward and that is true. But it also pertains to rewards here and now. When Jesus said I have come that you might have abundant life, He didn’t just mean in Heaven. He meant that the second that we come into His kingdom, His kingdom is in us, which is spiritual, we have the potential to live the abundant life here and now.

 

Listen to John 15:7, If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask what you desire and it will be done. The Amplified says this, and my words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts (spirits) ask whatever you will and it shall be done for you.

 

                                                                                              

Is it my desire to please Him or to please me? I have to have the right motivation or it will not work for me. Some people mess around with the things of God and they end up in serious trouble. Remember Ananias and Sapphira? In Acts chapter five their motivation was money. It says Satan filled their hearts to lie and they both fell dead. If we wish to walk in the abundant life we must be true to God and to man.

 

Is it my desire to diligently seek Him? If so then how do I do it?

 

Let’s read Jeremiah 29:13, and you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I believe if we go after God with all of our heart and remain obedient to Him, that all the blessings shall come upon us and overtake us. Deuteronomy 28:2.

 

When I accepted Christ I became right with God. I became a saint and a righteous man. I was justified by the blood of the Lamb. Galatians 3:11 says, the just shall live by faith. Not someday off in the future but right now, present tense. If I am a just man then God expects me to live by faith.

 

Look at  Hebrews 10:38, Now the just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. This just gives more support to Hebrews 11:6, if I don’t live by faith, I don’t please God and He has no pleasure in me.

 

Let’s look at one individual in the Bible who made the decision to put faith into action and to please God.

 

Let’s look at Mark 5:25-34.

 

Here we are presented with a woman who pleased God. How do we know this? Because she received what she believed for. This is what the Father wants to do for all of His children.

 

The problem is not with God; it’s down here on earth. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy, you know he tried to stop this woman, but once she decided to put her faith into action there was nothing he could do.

 

This woman didn’t just come into town, walk up to Jesus and get healed. There are spiritual forces at work in the earth. The force of faith is most powerful. There is something that happens between a believer and God when faith is applied to a situation.

 

Because of spiritual laws at work in the earth, God can’t just appear and make everything perfect. He gave us the force of faith to live by.  That’s why He is pleased when we step out in faith and trust Him to see us through.

 

This woman proves that God is patiently waiting for someone to believe His word and act upon it. So what did she do to cause her healing to come? Why did Jesus say your faith has made you well?

 

There are three steps involved in receiving from God.

 

Number one is this, Romans 10:17, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. What did she hear? Verse 27 says she heard reports about Jesus of Nazareth. In the first part of Mark 5 we see a man filled with demons, healed by Jesus, going about testifying what Jesus had done for him. There are many testimonies that she could have heard. The main thing is, she chose to believe in Him. Whatever she heard, it gave her faith.

 

Step number two, in verse 28 she spoke what she believed. “If I can get close enough to touch Him I know I will be healed.” Mark 9:23 says if you can believe all things are possible. Well if I am a believer in Christ, that means I have the ability within me now to speak the word concerning my situation and expect it to come to pass.

 

Do I really believe by His stripes I am healed? Or, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?

 

Romans 10: 9,10 says, if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, your confession is made unto salvation (deliverance). So speak what you believe but be careful that it comes from the spirit man and not from the outer man.

 

Step number three, verse 27 says, she came up behind Him and touched His garment. What is this? James 2:22 - by her corresponding actions her faith was made perfect or came to maturity. Just as Abrahams faith was cooperating with his works, and his faith was completed and reached its supreme expression when he implemented it by good works. Amplified.

 

Once again, what did she do? She spoke her faith, what she believed in her heart, she pushed in among the crowd and as soon as she touched Him she was healed. We need to see ourselves touching His garment.

 

Listen friends, this is not some new doctrine that someone from Texas or Oklahoma decide to introduce to the church, this is Bible faith taught by Jesus Himself during His earthly ministry.

 

Look what He said to this woman in vs. 34 – Daughter, your faith (that is, your trust and confidence in Me, springing from faith in God) has restored you to health. 

 

Look at Hebrews 11:1, faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.

 

This woman had a serious ailment. She was treated by many physicians but she could not be helped. When she heard about Jesus it gave her hope. But hope is not enough. She went beyond hope and allowed faith to rise up within her. Faith became the substance of her hope. She saw herself healed before it actually happened.

 

How do we know this?

 

Because this is the same kind of faith that Abraham, who is the father of faith used, concerning Isaac. ( Romans 4:16 ) In Hebrews 11:19 it says, Abraham received Isaac raised from the dead in a figurative sense. He knew that because of Gods promise to make him the father of a nation, that he could take his son, burn him as a sacrifice and then watch God raise him from the ashes. How do we know this? From Abrahams own lips. In Genesis 22:5 he said, (remember speak your faith), “The lad and I are going to make a sacrifice and “we” will return”.

 

Do we have this same kind of faith?

 

Look at 2 Corinthians 4:13, Paul talking to believers said, but 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.

 

Faith is not just for certain people that God chooses at random and decides to bless them. No, the blessings are for everyone who believes.

 

What does the believer do? He hears the word, he believes the word, he speaks the word and through grace by faith it comes out of his heart (spirit) manifested in the natural realm.

 

In doing this we are constantly pleasing our Heavenly Father. Amen.

 

Written by: R W Nagle.