The Bible teaches us that without faith it is impossible to please God, and we should endeavor as Christians, to at least understand why this criterion is essential to any relationship with Him. One of the reasons why faith is critically important to a fundamental relationship with the Lord is because the Bible makes no effort to prove God.
The book of Genesis begins by saying “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”,
but it does not address the history of God. The Lord gives us a preponderance of evidence that appeals to our intelligence and reasoning, and so it is expected that the natural conclusion would be that there must be a God somewhere. Let’s read:
Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
The faith that Paul is here referring to is built upon what the scripture itself teaches concerning the creation of the world. Let’s read:
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Romans 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
This verse then raises the next logical question, is the record of the scripture accurate? Answer: It absolutely is, as witnessed and confirmed by both prophecy and history respectively. For instance, the incarnation of Jesus Christ was foretold by the prophet Daniel hundreds of years before it took place, and both sacred and secular history confirm that it indeed took place. That’s how all people and nations have correctly concluded that today’s date is indeed May 3rd 2014 A.D., or else how did we arrive at that date? As a matter of fact, the Bible confirms that the prophecy was fulfilled at its appointed time, not one day late nor one day early. Let’s read:
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Another reason why faith is necessary is because God cannot explain everything that He does to mortal man or even the created intelligences in heaven, because we just do not have the capacity to understand everything. If we did then we would be like God, and therefore it becomes necessary for us to believe. Let’s read:
Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 55:9 For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Job 11:7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
11:8 [It is] as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
11:9 The measure thereof [is] longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
Take for instance the creation of man. If we were to try to figure it out, we will go totally insane, for the scientific knowledge that is involved is way beyond the comprehension of finite beings. That’s why we declare by the authority of the scriptures, that having faith in God is not merely the right way, it’s also the only safe way of getting to know Him. Any other method of trying to understand or know God will inevitably land us in a mental institution, for His knowledge, His understanding, and His creative omnipotence could get really scary. Let’s read:
Psalms 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well. 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them.
This must be some extremely rare and exclusive type of scientific knowledge that was brought to bear in the creation of man. What David is saying here is that God actually put man, His newest invention on a test run, before man was actually made. The particles of dust from which we were made, were assembled into tens of trillions of tiny cells, then muscles, veins, tendons, and bones, and the entire package was then closely examined, and tested before any of our body parts ever existed in reality. Let’s read again:
Isaiah 45:1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
45:2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
45:3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call [thee] by thy name, [am] the God of Israel. 45:4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
45:5 I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
This surnaming of Cyrus took place 150 years before he was born, which means that when his great grandparents were dating each other, God was involved even though they had not the slightest clue. Let’s read again:
Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me,
46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
It becomes more and more obvious that faith in God is the one, indispensable asset we will need, if we desire a knowledgeable relationship with Him. That’s why the Bible makes a profound statement about the correlation between faith and knowing God. Let’s read:
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
The following are four vital points to note as we go into the Bible study for they are of critical importance to a growing relationship with Christ.
1- If we can believe it, God can do it. Let’s read:
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
2- Logic is often found to be the diabolical enemy of faith, for it was so-called logical reasoning that satan used to ensnare Eve in the garden of Eden. After satan persuaded Eve to eat of the fruit, he then referenced what God had said, that if she were to touch it, she would surely die.
He then reasoned that she was indeed holding the fruit in her hand and yet she was still alive. What Eve did not know was that she died spiritually the moment she touched the fruit, and so from that time forward, the devil has often used logic to make a mockery of faith in God. Let’s take for example, the raising of Jairus’ daughter. Let’s read:
Luke 8:41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
8:42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. 8:49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's [house], saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
Here is a very important note that we should be always cognizant of. Whenever God is about to do a great miraculous work, satan always influences someone to make a logical objection. And the reason why the majority of earth’s inhabitants do not detect him, is because his suggestions always seem to make sense.
But a living faith in God is always shown to obliterate logic as we know it, and therefore it is the weapon that is used by the Christian to penetrate and conquer new frontiers, as we will explain later. Let’s read:
Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard [it], he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
8:53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
8:54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
Mark 5:42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was [of the age] of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
Question: Why did Jesus “Put them all out”, referring to those who were laughing? Wouldn’t it have been better for the scoffers to remain in the room so that they could see with their own two eyes, the mighty miracle that Christ was about to perform, and so their faith would be strengthened? So we ask again, why did Jesus require them to leave the room?
The answer to this question is of critical importance to the Christian, because for many years satan has apparently been eating our lunch through our lack of faith in God, and so we must of necessity allow the Bible to answer for itself.
Answer: Christ asked them to leave the room because if they had stayed, their attitude of unbelief might have prevented the miracle from taking place and the dead girl might never have been raised, according to the scriptures. Let’s read:
Mark 6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.
6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing [him] were astonished, saying, From whence hath this [man] these things? and what wisdom [is] this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed [them].
6:6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
This then leads us to the third important point:
3- The current levels of faith we now have are grossly insufficient for the coming crisis, this according to Christ Himself. Let’s read:
Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
By this text we understand that true faith in God will be a very scarce commodity at the time of Christ’s second coming, and thus it behooves each of us to take stock of our faith, whether it is growing steadily or whether it is growing dim.
4- We should always cultivate a disposition to believe. Being skeptical or harboring an attitude of doubt, hinders and in many cases prevents God from performing miracles in our behalf. The lack of a living faith in God is what Jesus was addressing when he made reference to the following historical facts. Let’s read:
LUKE 4:25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, [a city] of Sidon, unto a woman [that was] a widow. 4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
4:29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
4:30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way.
What Jesus was saying in these references given, is that there were many who were suffering and dying of hunger during the deadly famine of three and a half years, in the days of Elijah the prophet, and this need not have been the case, since God has promised to provide for His people in times of drought. However, because of a lack of faith on the part of His people, only the woman of Sidon was provided with bread. The same reasoning is also applied to the healing of Naaman the Syrian, who was healed by the word of the Lord through Elisha, even though many of God’s own people lay dying of the deadly disease.
Now friends, it’s of the utmost importance for us to carefully observe the following passages of scripture, for we will see a pattern of statements emerging that are worthy of our most careful consideration. Let’s read:
Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind [him], and touched the hem of his garment:
9:21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.
9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Mark 10:51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 10:52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
Luke 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Luke 17:17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where [are] the nine?
17:19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Question: Why does Jesus keep referring to their faith in God, as the most important factor in their healing, or deliverance? In order to answer this pressing question we will need to examine how the mindset of faith in God really works in the everyday experiences of life. Let’s read:
John 9:1 And as [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man which was blind from [his] birth.
9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
9:7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
9:10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
9:11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
9:12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
9:24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner [or no], I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
9:37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
The question for us living in the 21st century is how much evidence do we require before we believe? Are we cultivating the mindset of Pharaoh who only believed when brought face to face with death, or are we quick to respond in the positive to the slightest evidence of God power. Let’s read again:
2ND Chronicles 20:13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
20:14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
20:15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is] not yours, but God's.
20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.
22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
Observe carefully when their praise and thanksgiving begins, before the victory, not after. It all has to do with the disposition to believe. Many of us wait for the promises of God to be fulfilled before we act, and so the major promises that God has given us to live by, lie dormant, and in many cases are never fulfilled. Other people manifest a childlike faith in God, and taking hold of unseen realities, receive tremendous answers and results, by taking proactive steps like the woman with the issue of blood. It all has to do with our attitude of belief. Let’s read again:
HEBREWS 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
There are some very valid questions that Abraham could have asked before calling the people at U-haul. And there are many reasonable guarantees that he could have asked for before packing. For instance, “What language do the people speak, and if I cannot converse with them because of the language barrier, how am I going to be able to buy my groceries, and pay my bills. Valid questions indeed! But Abraham did not bring all of these questionable variables into the equation, for as far as he understood, God’s commands and promises are always backed by His Omnipotent power, and therefore if the people of the land where he was headed spoke a different language, then the command of God would automatically include the gift of tongues, if that became necessary.
And so it was that as the packers from U-haul started to load Abraham’s furniture into the U-haul truck, the driver started to wonder where the exact final destination would be, so that at least, he could give Abraham a price for moving. But after speaking with Abraham, he found to his utter dismay, that Abraham had no clue where he was going, and so they put on their Gps, hit the 95 south, and headed for the Everglades, a place “Crawling” with “Cananities. Let’s read:
Hebrews 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.
Note well that Abraham’s entire household and his wife Sarah all had the same mindset, and had no problem living in tents as they sojourned in the “Everglades”. As a matter of fact, because of their faith, Sarah was able to penetrate new frontiers, and by faith in God, go where no man had gone before. Let’s read:
Hebrews 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
In our day there is a growing tendency to make fun of the promises of God as if they are just figments of our imagination. Millions are living and planning for the here and now, without considering that this Earth as we know it, is not our final home, and as a direct result of the mindset of unbelief, most of our energies are being spent, chasing an elusive dream, building and planting, investing, and saving, and planning for a comfortable retirement into “Neverland”.
That’s why today we are ending our study with a serious word of caution, to the multitudes who are looking for the coming of Jesus in the clouds of heaven. Let’s read:
Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
May the Lord add His blessing to the study and doing of His word, and may the necessary changes in our mindset, take place today, for the time is at hand. God bless!