There must always
be a dynamic and visible component
to our faith. According to the Apostle
James, “Faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone.” (James 2:17) In other words, it is impossible to
truthfully proclaim the presence of faith in the absence of an active and appropriate
response. Faith moves us, which in turn, moves God! Just as the Word
of God is “alive and active,” faith,
too, is a living and breathing reality that ushers us into the very presence
and power of Almighty God. (Hebrews 4:12, NIV)
In this sense, we can conclude that Faith
is the ‘first cousin’ of The Word,
i.e. it releases the awesome effects of The Word within our daily realities and
responsibilities.
Kingdom
Principle Number One: Faith is
voice-activated. Unquestionably,
faith is received and initiated “by hearing…the
Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) Therefore, when we fail to read and meditate
on the Word, we automatically consign ourselves to situational frustration and
failure. On the other hand, whenever we embrace
and honor the Word, (which is tantamount to embracing honoring The Living Word,
Jesus Christ), we position ourselves for the unqualified victories that emerge
from released faith. (St. John 1:1 and I John 5:4) As mandated by Almighty God in Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out
of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest
observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt
make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Take note that there is a requirement to
both reflect upon the Word and to speak the Word in order to engage our divine
purpose and destiny.
Kingdom
Principle Number Two: Faith is
action-activated. For scriptural
confirmation, let’s look in on a miracle wrought by our ultimate example, Jesus
Christ.
Mark 2:1-4
1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised
that he was in the house.
2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no
room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the
word unto them.
3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of
four.
4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered
the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein
the sick of the palsy lay.
One might argue that this sick man
would never have been healed if his companions had chosen the route of apathy
and indifference. The mere fact that they dared do something bold and radical
caught the attention of The Great Physician and provoked a commensurate healing
response.
Kingdom Principle Number Three: Faith motivates a Word from the Lord that infinitely
expands possibilities. The man stricken
of palsy might have envisioned a life of absolute restrictions and limitations. However, the faith of his friends moving in
tandem with his personal faith, (for it took great faith to allow others to
lift him and his bed to the rooftop), provoked not only a physical healing, but
A Spiritual Word that forever
changed his circumstances. Bystanders were
motivated to testify: “We never saw it on this fashion.”
Mark 2:5,10-12
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive
sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go
thy way into thine house.
12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all;
insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
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