Focus: The Efficacy Of Faith

Text: Jam.2:5

"RICH IN FAITH."

Faith is a huge asset for the Christian. Our faith is our fortune, our asset, our insurance, our treasure, and our heritage. We are assured and insured by our faith. We are rich in faith and our God is rich in mercy.

Faith is the basis for all our dealings with God. Faith is a whole enterprise in believing God. It is the lens by which we see things from God's vantage point. It is the hand that takes what God gives. On the wings of faith we rise to where God is.

Using the Scriptures, let me show you how efficacious faith can be.

*Faith justifies

Paul says, "Therefore being JUSTIFIED BY FAITH…" (Rom.5:1).

*Faith saves us for eternity

Paul says, "For by grace are ye SAVED THROUGH FAITH…" (Eph.2:8). Our salvation in Christ is effected by faith.

*Faith attracts forgiveness

Luke writes, "And when he SAW THEIR FAITH, he said unto him, Man, THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN THEE" (Lk.5:20). We receive God's forgiveness by faith.

*Faith sanctifies

As He commissions Paul, the Lord Jesus Christ says to him, "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are SANCTIFIED BY FAITH that is in me" (Act.26:18). By faith we are saved, justified, forgiven and sanctified.

*Faith heals

Luke tells the story of an impotent man at Lystra. He says, "The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had FAITH TO BE HEALED" (Act.14:9). Our faith connects us to the healing power of Christ.

*Faith cures the disease of sin

The Lord Jesus Christ says to a lady, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (Lk.7:50). By faith the yoke of sin and suffering is broken.

*Faith saves the sick

James declares that "the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up…" (Jam.5:15).

*Faith makes us whole

The Lord Jesus Christ says to the woman of issue of blood, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE. And the woman was made whole from that hour" (Mt.9:22).

*Faith resists the devil persistently

Peter describes Satan as a roaring lion, and says, "Whom RESIST STEDFAST in the faith…" (1Pet.5:9).

*Faith shields us from the enemy's fiery darts

Paul says, "Above all, taking the SHIELD OF FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Eph.6:16). Faith is our shield.

*Faith makes us strong and sound

Peter says, "And his name THROUGH FAITH in his name HATH MADE this man STRONG, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this PERFECT SOUNDNESS in the presence of you all" (Act.3:16). By faith we are made strong and sound in body, and by it we are fully restored to good health.

*Faith moves mountains

Paul says, "Though I have ALL FAITH, so that I could REMOVE MOUNTAINS…" (1Cor.13:2). No mountain can withstand the power of your faith, except God says otherwise.

*Faith produces joy

Paul says, "And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and JOY OF FAITH" (Phil.1:25). Faith inspires joy.

*Faith serves

Paul talks about "the service of your faith" (Phil.2:17).

*Faith fights

Paul fought a good fight of faith and also enjoins us to "fight the good fight of faith" (1Tim.6:12). Faith engages in good fights.

*Faith wins battles

John writes, "For whatsoever is born of God OVERCOMETH the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, EVEN OUR FAITH" (1Jh.5:4). Faith fights to win. It conquers the world and its system. It never loses in any fight it engages in.

*Faith stands

Paul declares, "For by faith ye stand" (2Cor.1:24). By faith we stand our ground.

*Faith stands firm and fast

Paul talks about "the stedfastness of your faith in Christ" (Col.2:5). Faith makes us immovable.

*Faith speaks

Paul writes, "We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak" (2Cor.4:13). Faith is not dumb. It has its own utterance or language. It communicates.

*Faith walks

Paul says, "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" (2Cor.5:7). Our lifestyle is determined by faith. Faith is never influenced by appearances. We follow in the steps of the faith of father Abraham.

*Faith works

Paul says, "Remembering without ceasing your WORK OF FAITH…" (1Thes.1:3). Faith works. It is not lazy. It doesn't fold its hands, loafing about. Faith is industrious and productive.

*Faith grows

Paul says, "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that YOUR FAITH GROWETH EXCEEDINGLY…" (2Thes.1:3). Faith is a living thing, and it grows. Feed your faith and watch it grow; but starve it, and you will see it die.

You can see how effective faith is! The Lord Jesus Christ touched the eyes of two men, and says to them, "According to your faith be it unto you" (Mt.9:29). 

Faith determines what you get and how you get it. Faith is a decider. It is indeed a factor in God's equation.

Is it possible that you are not experiencing so much of the supernatural manifestations of God in your life because you are not inclined to them? It seems you believe more in your own power and natural intelligence - in what you can do for yourself - thereby making your faith in God quite inconsequential.

I pray that you come to realize how efficacious your faith in Christ is! Faith is both the gift of God and the fruit of the Spirit. Faith is a proof-producer. Jesus Christ tells Martha that if she believed, that she would see the glory of God, and it happened right there and then. Her brother Lazarus came back to life!

Beloved of God, believe me; faith works. I know, in my own life, the miraculous reality of faith.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter