Do You Have Faith Acknowledged by God? (3)

"Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for,
a proof of things not seen.
For by it the people of old gained approval."
(Hebrews 11:1?2)


We Must Diligently Listen to, Learn, and Practice God's Word

To change fleshly faith into spiritual faith, we must diligently listen to and be taught God's Word, as Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." If we do not store God's Word as knowledge, we cannot know the truth, and thus cannot put it into practice.
But we must not stop here. Storing up the Word merely as knowledge without practicing it can lead to arrogance, and God does not grant spiritual faith to such a person. For the Word we have learned and stored up to become spiritual faith, there must be deeds of obeying according to the Word. Just as memorizing a sheet of music does not mean you can play the piano well without practicing with your fingers, we must actively put it into practice.
Filling the heart with truth means casting off untruth within ourselves?such as hatred, strife, envy, and adultery which God tells us to discard?and being transformed into a man of truth who lowers themselves, serves, and loves even enemies. As we are transformed in this way, God grants us spiritual faith. Of course, even when trying to obey, hatred may not go away easily, or outbursts of anger may occur. In such times, we must receive the power to obey even by offering vowed prayers or fasts.
When we pray fervently like this and sincerely seek His grace and power, God will surely give us the ability to obey, and as we practice His Word, we can possess spiritual faith. With this faith, blessings come as promised in God's Word. As our soul prospers, all things go well with us and we enjoy good health. We can also have our heart’s desires answered. Once we experience blessings, we can obey even greater things leading to even stronger faith.
Let me give you an example. You know that drinking water relieves thirst. Believing this knowledge and drinking water actually quenches the thirst. Once this becomes an experience, one automatically seeks water whenever thirsty. God's Word works the same way. Even if you have faith small as a mustard seed, once you obey and practice the Word, you can experience His work. And through that experience, spiritual faith is given.
As faith is granted from above, it becomes easier to act according to the Word. When spiritual faith grows to full maturity, we can obey even if God commands something seemingly impossible. Some believers ask, "Since my faith is not weak and I cannot live by the Word fully, will I not be answered even if I pray?" However, even if our faith is small, God gives us spiritual faith if only we prepare a vessel worthy of His answers.
If we seek healing, we are to pray, fast, and diligently do what pleases God, thereby preparing a vessel. Then God will grant us faith from above, through which we will be healed. Of course, with greater faith, the aroma of our prayers rises more abundantly and beautifully, making answers come more easily. Yet the more important reason we must attain a greater measure of faith is that our future dwelling place in heaven will differ according to our faith.

(To be continued in the next issue)

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