Faith is the currency of God’s Kingdom. It’s the means by which we experience the fullness of God and the hinge that opens the windows of heaven. One cannot truly know God unless they possess a measure of faith. We must fundamentally understand that faith is the lens in which we see God–it brings our destiny into focus. C.S. Lewis said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Just as a house needs a strong foundation to build upon, so our potential must be built upon faith. The stronger our faith, the higher we can go. When our life is built upon Christ, the Solid Rock, we can withstand the storms of life and grow into the fullness of our destiny. Faith isn’t just about what you believe, it’s about who you believe in.
Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practiceis like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Notice that both these men, the wise and the foolish one, faced trouble. They each experienced the same rain, flood, and wind. Just because one was wise didn’t mean that he was free from trouble. Too many times we think that if we are following Christ we won’t ever face problems. In fact, some people think something is wrong with their spiritual journey if they do face troubles. But following Jesus does not make anyone exempt from trials of many kinds. The wise and the foolish live and breathe in the same world. Both face the same temptations, problems, and challenges in life. But the one who builds his life on the rock, which is faith in Christ, is the one who will stand firm when the troubles come. In other words, the trouble is inevitable, but choosing to stand firm and not be shaken is a choice. A wise man’s faith is not rooted in perfect circumstances, but rather it is rooted in a perfect Savior. Too many times we are telling God about our circumstances when we need to be telling our circumstances about our God. God is not moved by our complaining, He is moved by our faith.
Matthew 9:27-29a (NIV)
27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” 28 When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. 29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30 and their sight was restored.
It was the men’s faith that made all the difference in their future. Faith truly is the hope in every situation. Jesus was not moved by their circumstances, but by their faith. It’s not that faith always changes your circumstances, but it changes you, thus changing your circumstances. When faith rises up within you, it begins to transform the things around you. One cannot live an adventurous life with an apathetic faith. We must never let our fear of the unknown keep us from having faith in the unseen.
CHALLENGE:
1) How would you rate your faith today on a scale from 1-10?
2) What areas of your life have you possibly built on faithless sand?
3) What circumstances are you currently facing that you need to be more faith-filled?
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