Do You Have Faith?



Do you have Faith? Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
James 2:17-26
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.


Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works and by works was faith made perfect?
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also
We can't say you have faith because you shared a testimony in church, you can’t say you have faith because all is going well in your life, marriage, a good job, a nice house, these things can be gotten in other ways outside God, after all the word says, “The blessings of the Lord maketh rich and added no sorrow” meaning that they are other perceived blessings but the blessings of the Lord is differentiated by it not adding sorrow when it comes. 

So when can we say we have faith?

 We find the answer in His word-And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him…because anyone who comes to Him must believe HE EXIST and that HE REWARDS those who EARNESTLY SEEK HIM...the phrase in capital letters are the keys to know whether you have faith or not faith.

FIRSTLY faith starts when you believe He exist and if He exist then you should obey him (your lifestyle should be different), you can’t say I believe God exist and then go ahead and do things your own way without recourse to his word, the word of God should be your guide (Remember that faith is the evidence of things not seen). If I believe in God and what He can do, then his instructions I must obey. You can’t in the name of wisdom be contravening the word of God because in James 3:17 it says but the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, the first characteristics of any who works with God is purity.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal; The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” II Timothy 2:19

Faith in God starts by obeying Him and your obedience is first revealed in doing His will, living in accordance to his plan for you, and his first plan, on which all others rise on, is that you must depart from iniquity. If you know the Lord has counted you among those that are his and you nameth his name, then you must depart from iniquity.

SECONDLY God only rewards those who earnestly seek Him, not those who seek Him for what He can give or do or seek Him for a brief moment but when things don’t go their way they stop seeking him, God only rewards those seek Him in love to have a relationship with Him, and those who seek Him with undertaken or made in a spirit of deep sincerity and conviction, or with deep feeling.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

‘All these things’, are rewards, and they don’t come immediately, they come at the end, so if you have faith then we will know from your behaviour and actions, when it seems that in the midst of a challenge you have prayed and nothing has yet happened, but still you are full of joy and still serving God from the depth of your heart without compromising obedience to his word, because of any perceived disappoint from Him. If your attitude changes towards God because you are going through a challenge and you now say, you wouldn’t serve Him or obey Him, then you reveal to God that you actually loved Him for what He can give and do and not because of who He is.
Job 2:9-10 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
Habakkuk 3:17-18

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

These are the two characteristics of him/her who has faith,
1) living in purity and Holiness and 

2) Earnestly seeking God for who He is and not for what He can do or give; so check your attitude, words and actions and answer this question sincerely from your heart, DO YOU HAVE FAITH?

 All Read:

Faith: The most essential virtue in Christian life

2 comments:

  1. As love too has a role in the lives of believers. Good piece

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    Replies
    1. Yes! without love our being born again is in vain

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