In the course of this series, we have been called to learn and develop faith because faith is essential and of utmost importance for every aspect of the Christian life. Without faith, we can do nothing! Heb.11:6; 2Cor.5:7; Rom. 14:23. The Bible explains faith in Hebrews 11:1 as follows: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (KJV).
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (NIV, 1984). “Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen” (ASV). “To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see”(GNB). Faith is described as "being sure" and "certain". Faith says "I have the thing I hope for now." It says assuredly and certainly I have it now and it exists now.
HOW TO APPLY (USE) FAITH
1) Be sure of your salvation
Admit that you are a sinner and in need of a Savior. Repent of your sins, that is, turn from your sin. Then, confess and believe in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9, 10. This takes faith. If you are sure that you are born again, then you have faith. If not, there is a problem. Heb. 11:6. Faith is needed for salvation. Eph. 2:8. To apply faith therefore, you must first of all be born again.
2) Allow the Bible to be the ultimate authority in your life.
The Word must be the final authority in your life as it is in Heaven and on the earth. Psalm 119:89; Rom. 3:4.
3) Know that whatever it is that you desire from the Lord must line up with His Word.
Study of the Word of God is very important. For example, if a person is a narcotics dealer, he cannot pray and ask God for more finances. God would never condone the illegal sale of narcotics. Your petition must be what God would want for you or someone else. That means you must know what His Word says about your situation. 1John 5:14-15; Jas. 4:3.
4) Pray believing that you have received the thing that you ask for in faith.
Faith is more than just having the thought or belief of something in your mind. It is an action word. It involves doing something. Mk 11:24; Jas 2:18, says, "But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." (NIV, 1989). For example, a farmer may believe that crops will grow on his land but if he never plants the seeds, he will never have a crop. So, the farmer has faith by planting the seeds in the ground, watering them, weeding the soil and allowing the sun to shine on them. Then a crop will spring up.
Praying in faith is saying what God's Word says about the situation. The seed is the Word of God. Your heart is the ground for planting the seed of the Word. Then keep trusting in the Word of God by confessing (saying or speaking) the Word of God. Keep out doubt and unbelief. Nourish the Word by protecting it in your heart until it comes to pass in your life.
"Believe that you have received it and ye shall have it." Mk. 11:24.
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