How To Live By Faith

A Message of Faith

It was in 1492 that Christopher traveling to discover America. There were many travelers with him and he did not find the land he was looking for .His co-sailors wanted to quit and Columbus did not quit. He had faith not to quit even though he did not see the land he was looking for.

What is faith? Hebrews definition: faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped for, and the evidence (proof) of things not seen (Heb.11: 1). Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Faith is of 3 types: saving faith, devils' faith and action faith.

Saving faith (Heb.12: 1-2) with fear of God, leads to salvation of the soul of person who accepts Christ. Abraham had faith and it was counted him as righteousness. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Devils faith: It is faith without fear of God, no good as they are condemned to hell. It is not good. James 2:19 b: You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder (NIV).Even the devils believe and tremble (NKJV). They know that God is real and does not doubt it like men and women do.

Finally the last type of faith is action faith

Action faith: It produces the action in you or a response to God's will.

OT: scripture: a) Abraham’s action in sacrificing his son with trust in God and in response to God's calling. Genesis 22: 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." Gen.22: 10. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. b) Noah: Genesis 6:14: So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. Vs.15 this is how you are to build it: vs.22: Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

NT: Scripture: a) Peter walking on water with faith, a response to God's calling. Mathew 14:27-29: But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I;” do not be afraid” Vs.28: and Peter answered him and said,” Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Vs.29: And he said,” come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came towards Jesus (from New American Standard Edition). b) Paul responding with faith and action when he meets God Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:6):"Arise and go into the city and you will be told what you must do" and Paul obeys the command with action. c) Ananias: (Acts 9:11- 17). Here Ananias argues with the Lord, telling Him that this man was killing Christians, but the Lord tells him that Paul is a chosen vessel and Ananias obeys the command of the Lord. You see the action follows the command. d) The man at the pool of Bethesda, John 5:8-9. Vs.8 Then Jesus said to him "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." Vs.9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. e) My own example: after graduation in May 2002 from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, I went to India and stayed there for 6 months. My mother died, we all wept and after we recovered from the shock, I got married after family and friends advised me to do so. As a result of staying too long in India, I lost my job and I lost my place. Some of my so called friends were advising me not to come to USA, as I lost my job and I lost my place. We prayed with extra burden, our friends in India and USA prayed for us. God spoke to us clearly that we should go to USA and it came to a point where if I don’t obey it would come as disobedience on my part. So I came to USA. I acted upon God’s command, not listening to my friends. See the action of faith on my part.