“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Faith, the Bible says, is the substance of what you hoped for, and the title-deed of unseen realities. In other words, faith means that the things you were hoping for are now your present-hour possession. This is where the demonstration of faith comes to play. If it’s true that what you hoped for is now yours, then you ought to act that way. For example, you might have prayed to God for something concerning yourself, believing He will do it. If you truly believe that God heard your prayer, then you shouldn’t come back tomorrow and pray about the same thing again. You should now begin to act like someone who has received from God: that’s how to put your faith to work.
When Peter and John met the crippled man at the gate of the temple called beautiful, Peter said to the man, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). Peter then grabbed the man by the hand, and lifted him up. The Bible says “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” The man didn’t try to test whether he could stand up; he jumped up! That’s a demonstration of faith. He believed he had been healed and he immediately acted that way, and he began to walk instantly.
Understand that faith is active and not passive. Faith acts now because it has taken possession. That’s why the Bible says, “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17). That means faith without corresponding actions is dead; it doesn’t work. The faith that works is when you believe the Word and act accordingly.
In other words if you truly believe God’s Word—that He is who He says He is, Has done what He says He has done, and that you have what He says you have, then you must talk, act and live that way. Therefore each time you pray, act as someone that has received; that’s how to put your faith to work.s
Confession
My faith is producing results; I refuse to waver or stagger at the Word of God through unbelief. I believe God’s Word and act accordingly. My faith in God and His eternal Word is the victory that has overcome the world. I am what God says I am, I have what He says I have, and I can do what He says I can do!
Further Study
Mark 11:23-24 “For 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. [24] Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
(Taken by permission from Christ Embassy Church , aka Believer’s LoveWorld Ministries , Lagos, Nigeria. www.ChristEmbassy.org )
