Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11:1
I just said farewell to a great man of God this past week. Despite the hundreds if not thousands of people praying in faith that God would heal him, we lamented over God's plan to receive him into His perfect rest. So some will spend, if they haven't spent it already, questioning did I not have enough faith. Was there someone in the prayer chain whose faith wavered that was the cause of this? Was it because of someone's unbelief?
We ask these questions because there is a verse in scripture that has been abused over, and over again by some zealous Christ followers who misinterpret the true meaning of the verse. Here's the verse in Matthew 21:21-22: Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. 22 You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
See there RAY...it says "If you have faith and don't doubt...." and Jesus also said you can pray for anything and if you have faith, you will receive it." True He did say those things, but whose to say the healing you were praying for was the best healing (temporal), or was the healing (eternal) God had in mind the best? I'm sure we all can side on the FACT that the ETERNAL HEALING and being with CHRIST is best, despite whether we are ready to handle this reality or not. What probably matters most....is was he ready? Since no man knows the day nor the hour, did he, Dave Hall, live with ETERNITY in mind? I'm assured that he did. So where does that leave me? Where does that leave us...the bereaved?
To look at our faith, and ask ourselves is there room for growth in our FAITH? I've been to funerals and visitations where grown folks have attempted to climb into the casket, wouldn't let go of the deceased, and practically mourned ridiculously as if they had no faith (and in some cases they did not). Monday in my BBT (Biblical Business Training class) we closed with 6 ways to increase your faith, and since God has given each of us a measure of faith, I'd like to refer to these as ways to MATURE your faith, so that it is more sure in what or who it is you believe in.
1) Read (I'd add study) the WORD of GOD - Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. If the WORD isn't in you....you will have no substance to draw from.
2) Pray - But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32) It's in our prayers that we get to communicate, and be communicated to about the very will of God, and in this we are to find comfort. When the world around us isn't making much sense. (also Jude 1:20)
3) Face Trials - The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!” (1Sam. 17:37) David remembered GOD was with him when he faced insurmountable obstacles and didn't run from or attempt to pray his way out of them....how we should take note to remember when God brought us through victoriously as well.
4) Observe the life of others - And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God (1Thess. 1:8) Even while locked up, Paul was hearing and able to observe what faith in God was doing in people he had encountered years prior. When you can't see or sense God at work in your life....look around to those that it's clearly apparent He's at work and learn to celebrate that, instead of cele-hate!
5) Obey God - If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the Lord your God will keep his covenant of unfailing love with you, as he promised with an oath to your ancestors. (Deut. 7:12). Bottom line is this...you can't claim, or expect the promises of God to come through for you, if you aren't in alignment (obedience) with what He's required of you. Even your car gets out of alignment and you take it in to get it back aligned.
6) Exercise the Faith we Have - “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” (1Tim 4:8) Since it is true, that God has already provided each of us with a measure of faith, we grow it, mature it, solidify it by going through 1-5 on a daily basis. Our mouths or tongues are as strong as they are because we use them everyday...how cool would it be to put your faith under the same workout. In reality...it is.....when you live to please GOD by LOVING HIM, and LOVING OTHERS!
