FAITH FOR IMPACT (8)

“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God” – Mark 11:22

GOD must be the only Focus of FAITH for IMPACT: “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says” (Mk.11: 22-23). It is FAITH IN GOD that can overturn a mountain from its foundation and hurl it into the sea. Impact is made and things are transformed by our Faith in God, not in man, things or institutions.

God alone is the surety and verity of our Faith. God alone can validate our Faith; hence, it must be directed towards Him only. When we trust in man or the world’s systems, failure is inevitable. Only God can make our Faith valuable. There is a fundamental doctrine of Christ known as Faith Toward God: “Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of FAITH TOWARD GOD.” Faith must always be directed toward God, not any other being, things, or systems. It is Faith in God and toward God that brings positive changes and produces God-glorifying Impact.

In human terms, Faith in God is Faith in His Word. Jesus Christ, the Living Word, is the Author and Finisher of our Faith (Heb.12:1). We are to look to Jesus, the Living Word, and not to people, things, systems, or human institutions. John 1:3 declares, “All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” Our Faith begins and ends with the Word Who became flesh. If it does not begin with Him, it cannot end with Him. If it does not commence by Him, it cannot be completed in Him. Beloved, let’s stop looking to men whose breath is in their nostrils: “Sever yourselves from such a man, whose breath is his nostrils; for of what account is he?” (Isa.2:22).

Let’s quit making the arm of flesh our confidence, for they cannot sustain our faith: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord” (Jer.17:5b). Relying on human strength and focusing faith in man is ultimately disappointing. Anyone who puts his trust and confidence in God through the Word will never be ashamed: “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed” (Psa.34:5). Only Faith in God – through Faith in His Word – can create the things our hearts truly desire: “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask WHEN YOU PRAY, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (v.24).

Prayer is practical expression of Faith in God. It’s crucial to have unwavering Faith in God when we approach His Throne of Grace in Prayer!