.
Faith That
Pleases God
Written
by Jack Hayford
“Now
faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
– (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith is
the essence of our relationship to God and the instrument by which the gift of
salvation is received: "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" (Ephesians
2:8-9).
.
Jesus, in teaching the lesson of the withered fig
tree, demonstrates that faith is the key that releases the resources of heaven
into our situation. (Mark
11:20-26)
.
He tells
the astonished disciples, "Have faith in God ... whatever things you ask when you pray,
believe that you receive them, and you will have them" (verses
22, 24).
.
Strong's defines this kind of faith as
conviction, confidence, trust, belief, reliance, trustworthiness, and
persuasion.
.
In the New Testament setting, it is the divinely
implanted principle of inward confidence, assurance, trust, and reliance in God
and all that He says.
.
In seeking to deepen our understanding of faith,
as well as our faith itself, let's look at the three different expressions of
faith which every believer can express: saving faith, redeeming faith, and
triumphant faith.
.
Saving Faith
Saving faith is faith that believes unto
salvation.
.
When we are born again into His heavenly family,
our faith secures the promises of God for personal peace, the companionship of
His daily presence, and the promise of eternal life with Him.
.
Saving
faith is honest, because it admits, "I have sinned."
.
Saving
faith is humble, because it says, "I need the Lord."
.
And saving
faith is accepting, because it states, “I receive the blessings and benefits of Christ’s
sacrifice.”
.
Redeeming Faith
God seeks to redeem His people for His purpose,
and He desires to teach us to become instruments of His redeeming power to
others.
.
Though few of us can see past our brokenness and failures, they are no obstacle to God. His purpose is always achieved through
broken people who simply made themselves available to Him.
.
Becoming an instrument of redeeming faith isn't
easy.
When faced with a messy situation, we're tempted
to just trash-it and start over. That's because it's easier to create than it
is to redeem.
.
Our culture values starting anew, and as a
consequence, virtually everything, from children in the womb to marriage, is
available for trashing.
.
Redeeming faith accepts God's terms, waits on
God's timing, and endures apparent hopelessness.
.
The unfolding of God's works in our life comes
about because of our submission to His will and yielding to His Word.
.
It is redeeming faith through which the Lord
restores what has been lost in your past, and then beyond that, makes you an
instrument of helping other people be recovered.
.
Triumphant Faith
Most
people think of triumphant faith as "push-button"
faith—that things happen "just like
we believed, just like that!"
.
Sometimes answers do come immediately, but there
are other times when we're tempted to give up because the trial of faith is
long and seems almost helpless.
.
We walk in triumphant faith when we recognize our
value in God's sight and the power of
His might.
Triumph comes out of living faith, not religious
pretension.
.
Living
faith is what the Bible calls our "treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Corinthians
4:7).
.
That "treasure" is the life of His Son
that He's put in us.
.
Our
humanness is the "earthen vessel," and there are times, friend, when you and I are
just having our "earth" moment.
.
Those moments never disqualify us from being a
person of triumphant faith.
.
But the
key lies in our continuing to stand on God's Word, "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" (Hebrews 12:2).
.
This is
the evidence that God's purpose is never defeated in people who stand their
ground and wait for Him to show up, even when they feel as hopeless and
questioning as Jesus Himself did on the Cross. "My God, why have You forsaken
Me?"
.
This is
the sinless Son of God speaking questions to the Father. We are not hearing
doubt or fear, but rather what human beings - those "earthen vessels" - experience.
.
Triumphant faith confronts the spirit of doubt and fear and makes a choice to clearly identify it and present it to God.
.
The Lord is constantly available to hear you when
your heart is afraid or in doubt. He's the Most High God, and He isn't
irritated or troubled when we open our hearts to Him.
.
The
psalmist writes, "I sought the Lord, and He delivered me from all my
fears" (Psalm
34:4).
.
If I didn't tell God my fears, He couldn't
deliver me from them.
.
Triumphant faith holds firm, looks to Jesus, and
praises the Lord in the middle of whatever trial or difficulty we face.
.Present yourself in your frailty, your humanity,
and your need.
.
We are the subjects of God's highest purpose, and
not one of us will be forsaken.
.
Declare, "Lord I will triumph by
Your grace, and by the excellence of the power that is Yours taking me through."
.
If you are walking through
the valley right now because of a death, an accident, a serious medical
condition, a financial crisis, the loss of a job or any other tragedy, stand on
God's immovable promises and let His words bring security to your soul.
.
Let God's promises guide you
like signal lights through your dark valley. The future is bright on the
other side.
Are you struggling with a
big decision or wondering how your eternal future will play out?
.
Why not talk to the God of
the universe and let Him work in your behalf?
.
He says, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you
should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you" (Psalm 32:8).
.
Ask God to show you what to
do. Pray the following prayer:
“Heavenly
Father,
I
admit that I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You. I now want to
turn away from my past sinful life and begin a new life with You.
Please
forgive me. I now receive your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my Master and my
Lord. I believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried, and
rose from the dead.
I
want to receive all that Jesus Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your
Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be
saved’ (Romans 10:13).
I
believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and
no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord
Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I
thank You that you have given me eternal life, and according to Your Word, I am
born again.
Heavenly
Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who is in me now. I surrender
my life to You. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
Use
me for Your glory.
In
Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
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http://www.jackhayford.org/teaching/articles/faith-that-pleases-god/
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