THE IMORTANCE OF STRONG FAITH

It is written in Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." If we want to please God we must exercise faith. Paul wrote about Abraham in Romans 4:20, "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God…" Evidently the stronger our faith the better we are able to glorify God. This should be a tremendous incentive to us.

Faith is a gift of God. This is plain from Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…" We read in 2 Peter 1: 1 about those who have “obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ…” The word translated “obtained” means “given by divine allotment.” This is given with no cooperation on the part of the recipient of faith. Faith is a free gift of God that He gives to each of His elect children in regeneration. We are then to exercise that faith to His glory.

Faith does not manufacture things like many of the Charismatics erroneously teach. Faith enables us to believe in and trust God. Faith lays hold on the promises of God.

I have noticed many times as I have read through the gospels that the Lord Jesus continuously commended those who were strong in faith. Conversely, He was consistently displeased with His disciples when they were weak in faith. I have compiled a list of Scriptures which demonstrates this. It is my prayer that this will be a stimulus for all who read this to strive to exercise our God-given faith to the glory of God.

Commendation for Strong Faith

Matthew 8:10, "When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

Luke 7:9, "When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

Matthew 9:2, "And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee."

Mark 2:5, "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."

Luke 5:20, "And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee."

Matthew 9:22, "But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour."

Mark 5:34, "And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."

Luke 8:48, "And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace."

Luke 7:50, "And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."

Matthew 9:28-29, "And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you."

Matthew 15:28, "Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour."

Matthew 21:21-22, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

Mark 11:22-24, "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

Mark 10:52, "And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."

Luke 18:42, "And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee."

Rebuke for Weak Faith

Matthew 6:30, "Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

Matthew 8:23-26, "And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm."

Mark 4:40, "And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?"

Luke 8:25, "And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him."

Matthew 14:31, "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

Matthew 16:8, "Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?"

Matthew 17:20-21, "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

Mark 9:19, "He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me."

Luke 9:41, "And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither."

Mark 9:23-24, "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

Mark 16:14, "Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen."

Luke 1:20, "And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season."

Luke 12:28, "If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

Luke 24:25, "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:"

John 20:27, "Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing."