What is this elusive thing called faith that has kept the Body of Christ separated and at odds with one another? And, why do we seem to have such difference of opinions over it? Some say we don't need to believe God for certain things now in this new covenant. Some say that such things as healing, tongues and prosperity have passed away. Some have even claimed that these things are for when we get to heaven. Then, they say, we'll be healed and made whole.
Hebrews 13:8 (Amplified) says that, "Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is (always) the same, yesterday, today, (yes) and forever (to the ages)." According to this scripture, if Jesus ever did any of these things at all, then He still does. We read from 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) about asking according to God's will and being heard and having our petitions met by faith in Him.
I don't believe that a lack of sincerity or even faith in Jesus has stopped the power of God in the Church today. I believe that it's been a matter of misplaced faith. This misplaced faith has been a sincere act on behalf of the Church in these last days. The biggest hindrance to faith is a lack of understanding about what God's will is for His children today.
No Christian who is sincere about his walk with God wants to be out of His will. We don't want to ask for things that may not be God's will for us, so we pray such prayers of total unbelief as "Lord, if it be Thy will." This is a sincere prayer because we want God's will to be done, but it's a prayer of doubt because we don't have faith it will ever happen.
We decided that if it happens, then it was God's will and if it didn't happen, then it wasn't God's will. If this is true, then there really wouldn't be any need to pray at all. Whatever He wanted to do, He was going to do anyway, so why pray in the first place? Mostly, we've been in a place of total darkness when it comes to the will of God. As long as we don't know what God's will is, we can never pray in any faith or power.
Mostly, we've been taught in one some way or another, that we can't know the will of God. But, that's not true. 2 Corinthians 12:1-2 (Amplified) says, "I appeal to you therefore brethren, and beg of you in view of (all) the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies (presenting all your members and faculties) as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship." Verse 2 goes on, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), (fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs) but be transformed (changed) by the (entire) renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude) so that you may prove (for yourselves) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect (in His sight for you)."
If we really knew that what we were praying for was God's will, then we would have total faith in what we prayed. We allow our prayer life to be led more by man's teachings than in what the Word has taught. Man has taught us not to ask God for anything that wasn't His will for us to have. Do you honestly believe that God would give you something that wasn't His will for your life? Luke 11:11-13 (Amplified) says, "What Father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if hew asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?" Verse 12 says, "Or if he asks for an egg, will instead give him a scorpion?" Verse 13 says, "If you then, evil as you are, know to give good gifts (gifts that are to their advantage) to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him?"
In Galatians 3:13-14 (Amplified) we read, "Christ purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the scriptures), Cursed is everyone Who hangs on a tree (is crucified)." Verse 14 says, "To the end through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the promise of the (Holy) Spirit."
This blessing was to be the Holy Spirit of God Himself, Who would now with all of His mercy, favor, might, wisdom and righteousness, live in us and bless us with every promise God ever made to Abraham through Jesus. If you will read Galatians 3:16 (Amplified), then you'll find God made this promise to Abraham through and for Jesus. Now, you and I, by faith, have become heirs together with Him. Therefore, every promise made to and for Jesus is true for those who are saved.
Once we discover the truth about who we really are in Christ, we find out that God's will in and for Him is God's will in and for you. Jesus knew what God's will was for man and therefore could walk and pray in the fullest confidence that God would hear Him and provide whatever it was that He would ask. When Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 12:1-2 (Amplified), he simply said that if we would allow the Word of God to direct our thinking instead of the world, then we would know what God's will is for us.
If you knew it was God's will to heal; I mean you really knew it, then would it change your faith in how you pray? We have an understanding of God's will for certain areas of our lives and we walk in boldness for it. We know from John 3:16 that God's will is "that all should be saved, and none should perish." And, because we know that salvation is God's will for mankind, we pray the "sinner's prayer" with some of the vilest of humanity fully expecting God to save them. We'll pray this prayer in prison, in drug dens, and anywhere else with perfect faith in it, because we know we're praying according to God's will. 1John 5:14-15 (Amplified) tells us that, "We have confidence He has heard us, and we know we have the petitions that we ask of Him."
Wouldn't it be a marvelous thing for the Church to search the scriptures for themselves concerning God's will in other areas of our covenant? Wouldn't it be an astounding thing to have as much faith in our Father when it came to praying for the sick as when we were praying for the lost?
The problem's never been one of faith. We believe our God can do anything. It's been a problem of knowing will God do it and not can He do it. You cannot release faith (true faith) without knowing that this is what the Father really wants. Faith and doubt can't mix any more than oil and water can. Romans 10:17 says that faith in God comes by hearing God's Word. Faith in anything comes by the same way.
You'll put faith in and believe in anything that you hear long enough. All of the religions of the world have preached the same religion until the people believe it. Why do you suppose that it's a criminal offense to preach Jesus ion a Muslim nation? Because, faith in God, comes by hearing God's Word.
If we preach anything else, even in our churches, then the people will begin to release their faith in what they've heard. And, it's very difficult to get them to believe the truth of the Word, even when they hear it. Many people throughout the years believed that speaking in tongues is of the devil. Why? Because that's what was preached and faith comes by hearing. Many believe that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased and were only for the early apostles. Why? Because that's what was preached and faith comes by hearing.
It's Biblical truth that's been perverted to take us from the truth instead of into the truth. It has made the Church impotent and without power. Jesus said in Mark 4:24 (Amplified), concerning the parable of the sower. He said, "'Be careful what you are hearing, the measure (of thought and study) you give (to the truth you hear) will be the measure (of virtue and knowledge) that comes back to you-and more (besides) will be given to you who hear.'"
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