Real faith

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

1. "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2. looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Amen, thank you LORD.

Real faith is found in Jesus Christ. Anything outside of Jesus cannot be called faith because Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith as seen above in Hebrews 12:2. Furthermore, Ephesians 3:9 tells us that the gospel is the mystery which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ. God, the Father created all things through Jesus Christ and John 1:3 reiterates this and says, nothing was made without Christ. Since Christ is in all things, this makes Him the worthy author and finisher of our faith. That is, Jesus will complete what He starts in your life.

Proverbs 22:12 says, "The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, but He overthrows the words of the faithless." As God's child, you are no longer included among the faithless. Jesus said, that if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain move, and it will move (Matthew 17:20). I don't know if you had an opportunity to look at a mustard seed. In case you have not, I can tell you that it is a really tiny seed and Jesus says, faith that small has the power to move a mountain. The reason this small mustard seed faith is powerful is because it has Jesus' faith and He starts and completes it in you. Colossians 2:10 says, "You are complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power." As a result, every child of God has been given a measure of faith by the power of the Spirit of God at work in them because they believe in Jesus, the Son of God.

In Mark 9:20-29, is a story of a man who had a son posssessed by demons that Jesus healed. Initially this boy had been brought to the disciples, but they failed to cast out the demons and when they asked Jesus for the reason, He said to them this kind only comes out by prayer and fasting. It is important to note that Jesus was not referring to praying and fasting to cast out demons but rather to unbelief.

In case you are wondering, what is the distinction between faith and believing. As seen above, faith is found in Christ because He is the author and finisher of our faith and Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as; "now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Believing on the other hand has no specific definition in the Bible but thanks to the Holy Spirit, I received this understanding of believing and its distinction from faith. Believing is what you see on the inside of you and faith is the action you take because of what you have believed. For example, a mother who is pregnant will be prompted to prepare and plan for her baby's arrival like having a baby shower, shopping baby clothes, etc. All the things she pictures and imagines in her mind before she physically holds the baby in her arms is a representation of her belief. Faith on the other hand are the preparations and actions she takes in expectation of the baby's arrival.

I'll end with this Word found in Acts 3:16 (NKJV)

"And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

Amen, thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: If you would like to be born again into God's Kingdom, that is saved and have a personal relationship with God as Your Father and you as His child by receiving His Son, Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, I invite you to say this confession with me:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever." AMEN.

Congratulations, YOU'VE BEEN REDEEMED by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen. In case you do not already, please join a church community and get water baptized!