Living the Life of Faith (Covenant Breakthrough)

You can’t walk with God without faith. Scripture tells us ‘the just shall live by faith’ (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38). This means that without faith, the just (believers) are dying. Dying in this context means the manifestations of the life of God are being stifled and blocked from your life.

Faith should not be confused?with wishful thinking and having a positive outlook on life – these are two different things. There are unbelievers who speak positively and believe there is something good that comes out of a negative situation, but that is not faith.

What then, is faith?

1. ?Faith is restful confidence in God?

And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” Matthew 8:24-25 NKJV

The disciples were in a turbulent situation; the boat they were travelling in was covered with waves and on the verge of sinking, however, Jesus was fast asleep! You must learn when to rest. If you have done all you can and cannot do anything else about the situation, go to bed. Leave it with God.

Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you activity but does not take you anywhere. Jesus said, ‘which of you by worrying can add one cubit to your life?’ (Matthew 6:27).

Job amid suffering could say, ‘I know my redeemer lives’ because he had confidence, not in himself or even that his circumstances will change, but confidence in God (Job 19:25).

Don’t act out of fear, face situations with a restful confidence in God.

2. Faith is “live” obedience?

Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

Genesis 22:1-3 NKJV

God told Abraham to give Him his only son; Abraham rose early and heeded to the instruction. The word early is important here; it is a manifestation of an attitude. Some obey with delay, but you should take a step as soon as you hear a word from God.

When Abraham was asked to move from His father’s house, he went by faith. He didn’t wait for the address or further details but trusted in God for his next steps (Hebrews 11:8). How many of us can say we would obey such an instruction so promptly?

Some only want to obey the things they want to do.?Though Isaac was the promised son, Abraham was willing to let him go. Will you hear and obey when God tells you to let your Isaac? (e.g. your career, finances, certain relationships) go? Be willing to sacrifice in faith, don’t simply look for other voices that seem to endorse what you want in your heart.

3. Faith is daring to do the impossible?

And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Matthew 14:28-29 NKJV

Faith doesn’t make you sit in one place waiting for everything to change. Faith is followed by actions. Peter said, ‘if it is you, bid me to come on the water,’ Jesus said, ‘come’ and Peter walked on water; he did something that cannot be explained by science. If you live by what others say or by statistics, you’ll get what others are getting. If you live your life by common sense, you will get common results. If you want ‘God’ results, walk by faith.

When Peter took his eyes off the Word of God, He started to sink. Though he started by faith, his faith began to wane as he looked at the natural circumstances.

David ran towards Goliath with a sling. He ran towards the challenge (into the eye of the storm) in the name of the Lord (1 Samuel 17:45). Abraham hoped against hope that though he was too old for children, God would fulfil His word (Romans 4:18). Dare the impossible and hold on in faith (so long as it is based on God’s word).

4. Faith is keeping your eyes on God’s promise

For we walk by faith, not by sight

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

Peter chose what He was seeing physically to dictate how he moved/behaved even though he had received a word from God. He chose to live based on natural circumstances which were contrary to God’s word, this is why he began to sink. Things may look negative, but know the Word is true. Seal every conversation and confession with God’s Word. God is faithful. Don’t just say it; believe it in your heart. Keep your focus on the Word of God come rain or shine.

By faith, Sarah conceived when she was passed age because she considered God faithful. God promised her a child though she knew she was past childbearing age. God’s word is full of promise and when He promises, He won’t let you down. Even if everything turns against you, don’t lose your focus on His promise.

5. Live in the reality of what is not yet seen?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Live in the reality of what has not yet been seen based on God’s Word - that’s faith. Abraham believed in a God who gives life to the dead and calls things that be not as though they were. As a believer, you live in a reality that has not dawned on others.

For example, if you are believing God for a child, once you have received a word from God, start looking for baby clothes. If you are unwell, live in the reality of good health. You may have taken paracetamol and still feel pain, but still live in the reality of not being hospitalised and that the pain will go.

Faith is an action. People who are faithless won’t understand your actions but remember, you are not living to impress them. Furthermore, they will see and celebrate you when the results show up.

6. Faith is the victory??

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For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:4 NKJV

Faith?is?the actual victory. Faith is the victory that overcomes.

When you have victory, you don’t talk defeat. Faith is the shield by which you quench the fiery darts of the enemy. By faith, you can overcome anything he brings your way.??????????????????????????????????????????????????

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7. Trust God

And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise

Hebrews 11:39 NKJV

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Faith trusts God to the end (it does not stop after a point in time). With faith, you trust in what God has said for years on end and do not change your mind. Job said, ‘even though He slays me I’ll still trust Him’ (Job 13:15). Trusting God is not conditional on anything but His Word.

Whenever you are afraid, trust in Him. Your trust will become your reality. He is a buckler to all those who trust Him. Remember, you can never trust God and be put to shame.

As we have seen in the examples above, hold onto God’s Word in faith and know that nothing is impossible for Him.