Desire to grow, to develop, to please God.. yes, to cultivate a sound and muscular biblical faith.. in the Lord.. not in other junk that people tend to do. Why turn to man-made gods that do nothing?
Why put faith in faith or in dead-religion, or primarily in self, or in some other mere mortal of a person, or in karma like for revenge, or in some other "energy." Faith in faith; that's just lame faith.
In Christ, faith is like a muscle if you will. If you don't use it.. you lose it. You can lose your confidence in Christ.. even though not your personal salvation.
"'And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.' So the Lord said, 'If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you."
Lookin' at Hebrews 11 and Luke 17:5-6.
Think about it. Biblical faith is trusting in Jesus regardless of the circumstances or feelings you might have. Faith is only as valid as its object..and what's good is faith in the word of God and the testimony of Christ.
1. There is a saving faith -- we each can be saved by faith (we can do that, but Christ can as we turn and trust him. Have you done that (Click here)? You can..right now and have an assurance that things are right). Sure...
2. We receive eternal life by faith.. no charge at all.
3. We become righteously connected to God by faith.
4. We please God by faith.. a faith that leads to good works that help others. Again not by putting faith in faith, or faith in a denomination, or in some church or minister, or in some cosmic new age light and force.
Let that sink in. If you displease God in unbelief, it really doesn't matter who you please. We seem to live in a culture now that is very concerned with offending anyone anywhere ..except God. The Ten Commandments weren't ten suggestions.
5. We walk in loving victory (over personal sin, Satan, the fleshly-nature, and this world's system that pushes what's wrong)... by faith.
6. We overcome the circumstances, trails, testings and troubles in this life by praying in faith. God has promised to meet all our needs as we turn to Him.
7. We resist all rebellious fallen angels.. by faith in the word of God.
Sure, God answers every prayer that we pray.. with a yes, a no, or a wait. And "No" can be a big blessing really. Trust Him and apply the word anyways -- your faith will grow.
There are three kinds of faith...
* God can do something,
* God will do something,
* God has done something.
Yup, cuz of love God came down here voluntarily. He (Jesus) lived a sinless life, and and then allowed sinners to kill him on a cross. He died in our place and then rose from the dead.. gobs of eye witnesses too. Yes indeed -- He delights to meet our greatest need and all other needs we have.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jn. 3:16
Spiritual believers seek to grow in God's Word, in faith, in pure love, in His grace ..and they really don’t expect anyone else to take responsibility for their own personal balance or spiritual maturity. What does God say?
"..desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby." 1 Pet. 2:2. God also says..
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Pet. 3:18
'So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Rom. 10:17
Now the Word-faith movement (inside some so called churches) keeps saying that you can have all the wealth you want, or anything lavish you want if you just confess it in faith right, but that's just off -- it's unbiblical selfish love.
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Cor. 13:13
