Faith comes by hearing — and hearing by the word of God

Faith to believe God’s word is the very essence of receiving the promises that He says we can have.

As a Christian that Scripture in Romans10:17 “... Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God”, gives us knowledge on how faith comes, by taking in God’s word.

When I look at my own spiritual walk I see how faith has affected my life. When I was in my late teens, my father and mother had a little church in central Michigan. Now I was active in church, I had accepted Christ at a young age, but I never really studied the Bible, it was just always there. Yes, I read it sometimes, but my faith was not strong.

It was later in life that I realized that Jesus was not number one. It seemed everything else in life was more important and after racing sled dogs for many years, and realizing that I could not take my dogs with me when I left this earth, I rededicated my life to Christ and made him Lord of my life. I made him number one in my life. Then I started studying the word, I took a three year Bible course under a man called of God to teach the Bible. It only took me a year because I was totally absorbed in studying the Word eight to 12 hours a day. My faith to do what God said I could do was mighty.

The point in my life where I had the most faith to believe God’s word was when I was studying in the word of God eight hours a day.

I remember for 11/2 years I didn’t watch any television or read any secular books. I did nothing but study the word of God, and teachers’ booklets expounding on God’s word.

No, I’m not trying to say watching television or reading secular material is bad or a sin, well, some of it is, but as Christians we filter through that part, I just didn’t have time.

The point I wish to make is looking back on that year and a half of intense studying of the Bible, my faith was strong, I had mountain-moving faith.

Now there are times today that my faith needs a boost and I take a shot of God’s medicine, The Bible. I don’t believe it’s any secret that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God, but our flesh has many desires and sometimes we just have to put those desires aside and study the word so our faith will grow.

That intense studying of the Bible in the past that I did has to be infused with the light of the word today; if a Christian thinks they can walk in strong faith without continuing to take in the word of God, they’re fooling themselves. Christians that attended seminary school still have to get the word of God into them daily to keep strong in the Lord.

I hear people say things that show their lack of faith. They say things about the word of God that are contrary to the word of God.

Why do some people, even people with theological degrees seem to have lack of faith?

Many times it is lack of correct biblical knowledge; teachings that do not line up with the word of God, or just plain ignorance of God’s word. There are many reasons, but as the word of God says, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Studying and meditating on the word of God along with confessing the word of God is when your faith, with action, brings results. One cannot confess teachings that do not line up with the word of God and be successful as a Christian, which is why when we hear someone preaching or teaching we need to line it up with God’s word.

I heard a minister give his testimony, he said when he was younger he was quick to tell everybody of Christ’s saving grace in his life wherever he went. He said he found that the more he talked about it, the more real the new creation in Christ became to him, because that is who and what we are. (2nd Corinthians 5:17) his confession of God’s word strengthened his faith.

We must do what God says, standing strong in our faith, not wavering, for faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

We must let God do in our lives what he says he will do through Jesus Christ. If we need healing, go to the word of God; if your life is a struggle, remember the word says cast all your cares on God. Remember, faith is of the heart your innermost being, your spirit, so get the word of God into your innermost being.

That’s why in Mark 11:24 it says “when you pray believe you receive,” believe God answers your prayer when you pray, and lean not on your own understanding or circumstances.

Lavon Barve ministers through Cup of Life Ministries in Wasilla. Email: cupoflife@lbcolor.biz