Sometimes when talking about faith, people get the idea that you’re trying to “get God to do something.” If you pray long enough, do the right things, get enough people to pray with you; then you might convince God to act on your behalf.
I think even more people have concluded that faith is unconditional acceptance of whatever happens, with the assumption that God is in control and His will comes to pass with or without our participation.
For example: If I prayed and asked God to be healed of a sickness, and the sickness leaves, then I would believe that this was God’s will and He did it. On the other hand, if I prayed for healing of that sickness and it didn’t leave, then I would believe that God also answered my prayer, and wants that sickness to stay for some purpose.
Both of these perspectives could not be further from the truth. Faith believes in what God has already said in His Word (Bible) and expects it in spite of the circumstances.
While many consider this view to be presumptuous, I believe Scripture shows us that it not only blesses God to see His children flourish, but also honors Him for who He is and what He has done for us through His son, Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
John 15:8 My Father's glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples.
If you want to understand faith, you need to also understand what God’s grace is.
Most people would say grace is God’s unmerited favor. And this is right.
Ephesians 2:8-9 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
We don’t deserve or earn God’s favor. This was given to us freely through the sacrifice of Jesus. We only need to believe it.
We read in John 15:8 that God receives glory when we are fruitful in our lives.
The scriptures preceding this says, John 15:7 if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
And the Apostle Paul tells us in the book of Romans, that after we have already been justified by faith in Jesus, we now have access into God’s grace.
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by FAITH into this GRACE in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
What is this grace? What is God’s unmerited favor toward His children?
When we pray and don’t receive what we pray for, where did this underserved unearned favor go? Is it limited to getting to go to Heaven? So many people have believed this, and by default lose out on their inheritance in Christ! They don’t know what they’ve been saved from and what God has given them in its place.
Let’s look at the word “saved” to see if we can understand this.
Ephesians 2:8 for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God
The Greek word for “saved” from Ephesians 2:8 is “sozo”.
It is a derivative of the word salvation. And this word includes every aspect of salvation.
It means: to deliver out of danger and into safety; used principally of God rescuing believers from the penalty and power of sin – and into His provisions and safety.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon says,
1) To save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction
2) To save one (from injury or peril)
3) To save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health
4) To preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue
We can see that when we receive salvation, we not only escape the punishment of our sins, but all evil which has come into the world through it. We’ve been set free from all destruction and suffering.
Furthermore, God, by grace has put us into a place of His provision and protection.
The Greek word for Grace is Charis. It means favor, kindness, graciousness, benefits
Thayer's Greek Lexicon says, “good will, loving-kindness, favor”
There is nothing in our lives we could ever need that isn’t given through God’s grace.
2 Peter 1: 2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue
2 Peter 1: 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Grace is God’s provision for man’s every need, spirit, soul and body.
Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
You don’t need to ask God to heal, to deliver, to save, to prosper, to give joy or to give peace because God has already given it to you!!
By God’s grace toward us, we receive all that salvation is, amen!
Faith is the bridge that reaches over into the spiritual realm and lays hold of what God has given by His grace. This is how salvation is received, and every good thing promised by God
By grace, through faith (in what Jesus has done for us), we receive the promises of God!
Praise God! Faith simply releases the power of God (what he has already supplied) from the spiritual realm to the physical realm.
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by FAITH into this GRACE in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
Praise God! Faith simply releases the power of God (what he has already supplied) from the spiritual realm to the physical realm. When we believe and act in faith, these spiritual blessings become physical realities.
In Mark 11:22 Jesus said, “Have faith in God.”
The writer of Hebrews tells us, “The just shall live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38), and “it is impossible to please God without it.” (Hebrews 11:6)
If faith is important to God, then it is vital that we understand it, and learn to live by it, Amen.
For more on faith and God’s sovereignty see my articles: “Putting Faith in God’s Word” and “Faith and Sovereignty” at: