The subject of faith is a very controversial one in the religious realm and few truly understand what faith is, why we need it and how our lives are blessed because of it. We all know the scripture at Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” But do we really understand what the reward of faith is?

Faith is our link to God. It’s the communication line that we need to talk to God. It can be compared to the internet today. If we don’t have any internet or wifi, then we won’t be talking to anyone on our cell phones. And if we don’t have any faith in the God of Heaven, then we won’t be talking to God, either.

Faith is the substance that we need to truly accept and believe that God is real. We can hear people talk about God, preach about God and witness about God, but until we believe it in our heart, it has no effect on our life. It’s hard to do this on our own because this world is drifting so far from God that His truth is being hidden from people and so coming to know Him is impossible. But God is aware of this and so He has given to everyone a measure of faith.—Ephesians 4:7. This is a gift. It’s just enough faith so that when we’re reading or listening to someone talk about God we can hold on to that truth and believe it.

• For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.—Ephesians 2:8

This is not enough faith to believe God for any of His promises, but it’s enough faith whereby we can say, “I believe God is real. I want to know God.”

And then as we study the Bible, spend time in prayer and worship, and fellowship with Godly men and women, our faith—our understanding, our knowledge of God and our trust in Him—grows. The initial seed that God first gave to us, that special gift of faith, will grow into a strong tree if we feed it and nourish it with God’s word.

Why do we need this? We need this so that we can know God and share His gospel with others so that they, too, can be saved and know God. Jesus Christ is about to return to earth to rule as King, and it will be too late then for people to decide that they’ll serve Him. We need to get that salvation message out to them now while we can.

The concept of faith has been sadly distorted to be interpreted as a formula to gain riches from God, as some false doctrines teach. Faith is not given for our glory, but for His! God made this world and He made us, but sin entered into Adam, and as his descendants we all are filled with the sinful nature. But God provided a means whereby we can have that sin removed. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for us and to take on all of our sins so that we would be pardoned from them.

Jesus provided salvation to everyone person on earth, and those who take the gift of faith that God has given to them and turn to God in repentance will find God and will receive eternal life. We need faith in God to believe that His salvation is real, and so the very first thing we do with this gift of faith is to believe in God.

Sadly, many people don’t accept the gift. They will attend a Christian crusade or listen to a friend witness about God’s greatness, but the things of this world seem more real and they won’t pursue the possibility of God being real. So their gift is lost. Jesus talks about this when he tells the parable of the talents. Three people received a gift of talents. Two of them used this gift to grow and know God and in turn, they shared His love and salvation with others. But the third person did nothing with the gift. He hid it because it didn’t mean anything to him. He got the gift, but he didn’t bother to open it because the gifts of this world seemed bigger and better.

So God blessed the two people who opened their gifts and set out to know the giver, but He cursed the one who refused to open His gift and that person lost everything—even his soul.

The Parable of the talents — Matthew 25:15-30

The reward of our faith is knowing God! It’s realizing who Jesus is and what He has done for us! It’s giving our lives to the One who truly loves us, and it’s loving Him back and trusting Him with our whole heart. Faith in God means we’re willing to tell others about Him. Faith in God gives us the ability to share His love with others because we know Him! We know God is true! We know He is the God of Heaven and earth.

Faith isn’t confidence in our words to get things done. Faith is the substance that allows us to know God and love Him so we can bless Him and get His will done. There’s no debate, no doubt and no compromise. And the life we live when our faith is totally in God and for God is our greatest reward!

• In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.—John 14:2-3

            Faith is the greatest tool we have because it takes us to God, and once we know God we can speak with authority and pray with fervency in the name of Jesus. Please get a copy of my book entitled, Let Faith Arise.  Learn what faith is, why we need it and how it blesses God! 

 

If this post has been a blessing to you, please share it so that others can be blessed, as well. And please subscribe to this blog so that you can receive every message directly into your inbox.

Thank you and have a blessed day!