Jan. 3 | The Life of Faith

Series | The God Kind of Life

Lesson 3 | The Life of Faith

Lesson Scripture | Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Have you ever bought something that needed to be delivered- maybe a gift for a friend online or even a pizza?  What did the company give you to confirm your purchase?  A receipt.  Why?  They wanted to give you proof that what you had bought was on its way to you.

The same is true with faith in God for His promises.  When God makes a promise and you believe it- it becomes yours at that moment.  However, it still needs to be delivered.  And the receipt or the proof He gives you that it’s coming to you is faith.  Thus, faith is not just a human emotion, like wishing or make believing, but rather it is the certainty and substance of God’s promises.

Romans 10:17 states that, “faith comes by hearing the Word of God.”  As a result whenever you read the Word of God faith comes as a guarantee for what is to come to you.  You may not see your healing yet, but it’s already yours.  Thus, live by the faith in your heart because one day you will be healed- either in this life or the one to come.  You don’t see the new heavens and earth yet, but by faith you have a “receipt of purchase” for your eternal home with Jesus.

Therefore, as you read the Bible and learn about things you don’t have or see yet, live by faith in God because they are yours already.  To doubt God and His Word is to believe your current reality and circumstances are more real than the realities of God.  However, just as you would be confident that the new TV you purchased is being shipped to your house, remember Jesus on the cross purchased all of God’s promises for you and they are on their way too.  Thus, live by faith in Jesus and expect one day to receive all His good and precious promises!      

Reflection | Are you living by faith in God's promises? 

Action | (1) Write out five precious promises of God found in His Word, (2) Then pray and speak them over your life in the present.  For example, “I am healed,” “I am blessed,” etc. (3) Lastly, remind yourself of God’s promises in times of testing to keep and increase your faith and remove doubt. 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Genesis 5:1-7:24, Matthew 3:7-4:11, Psalm 3:1-8, & Proverbs 1:10-19.  Click here to read online.