Have Faith in God

Mark 11:22-26 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. ²³For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. ²⁴therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. ²⁵And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your heavenly Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. ²⁶But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

This passage ought to be very familiar to Christians everywhere as it is often quoted in regards to faith and receiving from God. However, it also contains vital precepts often ignored and thereby frustrating the Christian’s attempt to receive from the Lord God.

The word, believe, in the Greek means far more than we are accustomed to hearing. Believe and faith mean: to be convinced or persuaded. Asserting that one has their mind made up by overwhelmingly convincing evidence. The passage begins with having faith in God. So often we are confused thinking [subconsciously] that we are the object of faith; when it fact God himself is the subject and foundation of our faith.

            Often we ask for prayer of those who have not been fully persuaded and convinced and wonder why it doesn’t come to pass. We, ourselves are guilty, albeit unwarily, that our hearts are not convinced and therefore do not receive. We are merely “going through the motions” without convincing and convicting faith. Abraham believed God, not knowing where he was going (Heb.11:8-19) and it was accounted to him as righteousness. Though he tried in the flesh to secure the promise (through hearkening to his wife Sarah and laying with Hagar the Egyptian slave thus conceiving Ishmael) yet Scripture records he did not doubt the word of the Lord God.

We might ask, What then did Abraham and the collage of witnesses have faith in; and exactly how was their faith cemented into their hearts? As for Abraham, personally I believe his faith was made solid from his childhood and youth. Even though his homeland was Ur of the Chaldees (Gen.11:28-12:1) his lineage is from Seth (Gen.11:10). As you recall means substitute or replacement as he replaced his brother Abel, slain by Cain. No matter what you believe regarding Abraham’s acquisition of faith, the fact is God recognized it and called it faith. Abraham’s whole life is a testimony of unwavering lifestyle of faith, regardless of the situation he found himself in. Not only that, but his faith grew with each trial.

Abel was to be the seed through which Messiah would come; however being slain by Cain there was a necessity to produce another in his place even Seth. It is this righteous line I believe Abraham’s roots with the Lord God began to grow. I further believe Abraham’s faith was multiplied by simple observance of creation (Ps.19:1-6; Rm.1:19-20). This underscores a previous lesson regarding teaching our children creation’s story from their formative days, which should tend to ward off many a sinful behavior (Rm.1:18-32) simply because they have learned the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of knowledge Pr.1:7; and wisdom Ps.111:10; Pr.9:10.

.Prayer

When we ask for prayer, we need to know the person we approach is absolutely convinced of God. James 5:14-16 is any among you afflicted? Let him pray.  Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; let them pray over him, anointing with oil in the name of the Lord: ¹⁵And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. ¹⁶Confess your faults o ne to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual and fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. According to this passage, there is a violation of principle enacted:

·         Let means to allow or set free [the AMP. Bible says should : they should pray. Thus shifting the emphasis to the afflicted ones to be responsible to pray for themselves.] I like that!

·         The afflicted are admonished to pray: an affliction is entirely different than a sickness, in that it is a trial, tribulation, or endurance of hardship, or ill treatment by another which opens the door to a malady of situations which may comprise an affliction. Although, it may also encompass the mental and emotional and spiritual state. Note: an affliction, not properly attended, certainly has the potential for propagating an illness, thus in behooves one to pray for himself while it is yet an affliction.

·         The merry to sing Psalms. Not mere songs, of secular nature, rather Psalms or even songs of praise.

·         While the sick are to call the church elders for prayer. A sickness is an attack on one’s physical health.

This does not preclude one from asking the church elders for prayer, but it certainly may hinder one’s personal prayer life. Each individual is encouraged to learn to pray in faith…fully persuaded that the Lord God is not only able and willing but also will whenever faith is evident to Him. That evidential faith is that the petitioner is fully persuaded that God has answered or will answer the petition. The erroneous teaching that God denies our requests is in direct opposition to Scripture.

The clear declaration is that the prayer of faith will [in fact] heal the sick, with the added blessing of sins being forgiven. Often sin is the cause of sickness. (1Cor.11:29-31)

However, the contemporary church body has lumped all into one pot or the other. I’m not sure if it makes a real difference, but at least in biblical theory we have deterred from the simplicity of the Scripture.

            Faith and belief both require obedience to God’s word either spoken [as in Abraham] or written. Abraham’s faith was made manifest by his obedience to the spoken word of the Lord God.

            So far we’ve been concerned with healing; however faith and belief extend to every arena of our lives; but the apostle Mark makes no distinction lumping all into the category of “mountain”…say unto this mountain. (Mk.11:23a)

·         Salvation itself requires that we be absolutely convinced and persuaded that the blood of Jesus, His death, burial and resurrection are the one and only means of salvation. Not works, not penance, not cutting ourselves or sacrificing ourselves as martyrs; on the blood of the Lamb of God will purge our hearts from sin. and as such persuasion we are compelled to be baptized. Acts 26:28 Agrippa told Paul Almost thou hast persuaded me to be a Christian. Agrippa believed the prophets (27) but could not be convinced or persuaded to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

·         Selecting a lifelong mate

·         Employment

·         Financial provision

·         The list is endless; all require being convinced and persuaded that God is faithful; that’s what makes the difference between you, me and the saints listed in Heb.11 [the faith hall of faith].

Therefore it matters not which arena of life we’re concerned about, to achieve success we need to have new information that we might make a new and more successful outcome. Our environment has fed us full of ill-fated information leading us into negative decisions and consequences. Because our parents were guilty of subverting our minds and hearts by telling us we were dumb or stupid we fell or were led into a lifestyle of failure. The antidote for this malfunctioning family lore is to learn and have reinforced with positive information concerning us.

·         Mt.6:26-30 we are of more value to the Father than all  creation

·         Ps.139:13-16 we were fearfully and wonderfully made

·         Rm.8:1-4 there is brethren now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus

·         Rm.8:16-17 heirs of God…joint heirs with Christ

·         1Cor.2:16b we have the mind of Christ

Many other passages affirm our identity and relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father. This is information desperately needed to change and transform a person from vileness to beauty.

Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  ²For by it [faith] the elders obtained a good report.

Another often misused and abused passage: however by our previous definition faith is both the substance and evidence of whatever we hope for or pray for. In other words because we are persuaded and convinced of God’s ability, desire, and that He watches over His Word to perform it (Jer.1:12 paraphrased).

Indeed many other passages affirm God’s faithfulness to His Word, lest otherwise He be found to be a liar. But we know that He is faithful!

There are therefore a limited number of instances whereby God does not and will not answer our requests. All are based on God’s righteousness, faithfulness, and love. Not one is based on God being fickle or arbitrary.

1.    Unbelief; we are not fully convinced or persuaded that God will answer the request.

2.    Sin: James 4:1-4 …even of your lusts that war in your members. ²Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. ³Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. ⁴Ye adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

3.    Disobedience. Det.1:45; 1Sam.14:37; 28:6

4.    Secret sin: Ps.66:158

5.    Neglect of mercy: Pr.21:13; indifference: Pr.1:28

6.    Despising the law Pr.28:9

7.    Blood-guiltiness Isa.1:15

8.    Iniquity Isa.59:2; Mi.3:4

9.    Stubbornness: Zech. 7:13

10. Instability Ja.1:6-7

11. Self-indulgence Ja.4:3

Note: 3-9 & 11 come under the umbrella of sin. While #10 is classified as doubt; not being fully [emphasis on fully] convinced or persuaded.

Matthew 17:14-21 When the disciples declared they could not cast out the lunatick Jesus chided them for their unbelief…they were not fully convinced or persuaded in their God given ability to do so.

Mark 9:23-24 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. ²⁴And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

This is the same account as in Mt. 17:14-21 with a slightly different spin, in this case the child’s father both confesses his belief and asks for his unbelief to be strengthened. Letting us know that there are circumstances whereby our faith is in fact strong in one area and at the same time we are weak in other areas of faith. But, be not dismayed, for our God is able also to strengthen our faith in those areas most needed…we need only to ask.

            During Jesus ministry in Mt.9:29, while healing the two blind men, he said according to your faith be it unto you. Yet another testimony that faith is not blind but absolute conviction and persuasion in God’s Word. Back in vs.28 He asked Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto Him Yea Lord. They were fully convinced and persuaded…and received their sight!

Minister’s Task

The ministers task, therefore, becomes one not of convincing or changing another’s mind, rather of presenting new evidence whereby opportunity is manifest to make a new decision based on new information. Remember: no one changes their mind; they make a new decision based on new information. And God gives the increase (1Cor.3:7).

            Many erroneously interpret minister as a special office set aside from the masses to minister unto others. However, the Greek diakoneo means servant or deacon. Hence, although certain ones were chosen in Acts 6 to be deacons, yet they were, in essence servants, the NT refers to all God’s children as servants. The only difference being that some have greater responsibility than others.

Conclusion

The disciples asked of Christ, …teach us to pray…Lu.11:1c. Depending on one’s interpretation of to will determine whether it simply means the importance of prayer or, perhaps, more profoundly, the mechanics of prayer as we have been studying. If indeed, it means the later, could it be possible that the elimination of fear, anxiety, and doubting would be the result? I think so, at least in my personal life; of course, I’ve been in a constant learning mode most of my saved life. Ever learning, never satisfied with status quo. Perhaps that’s what makes the difference.

Faith Building Practice and Review

1.    Define faith:

2.    Define believe:

3.    Why is it important to believe when you pray?

4.    Why is it important for the elders to believe?

5.    Have you ever prayed for another in unbelief?

6.    Has anyone, you know of, prayed for you in unbelief?

7.    What one thing can you do to help or strengthen your unbelief?

8.    Explain how this study has caused you to Know God better than ever before.

9.    Explain the minister’s task in your own words.

10. Every child of God is called to be a minister or servant. Explain what this means to you and how it will change the way you minister to others in prayer.

11. If Abraham’s faith grew with every trial, should not ours as well?

12. Upon reviewing the reasons for unanswered prayer, how many are there?

13. Is God arbitrary and capricious in answering prayer?

14. Read 1Peter 1:3-10; Ge.22:2; Jos.6:.3; Jud.7:7; 1Ki.17:13; 2Ki.4:3; Mt.9:28; Mk.7:27; Ne.11:8, 17, 336; Jas,1:3; 1Pet.1:7 Explain they apply to this study.

Knowing God

A brief [not complete, add to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:

·         Love

·         Gracious

·         Merciful

·         Righteous

·         Longsuffering

·         Gentle

·         Faithful

·         Compassionate

·         Forgiving

·         Friend

       The ultimate goal of Bible study is to know God, not simply memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.