Paul writes about a faith that grows and matures into sons of God in Romans 1:17 (Amplified) saying, "For in the Gospel, a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed through the way of faith, that arouses to more faith). As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith."
Most of us don't understand the depth of the above scripture, which tells us that those of us who are born-again are already living by faith. Jesus came so that we who were unsaved and dead in trespass and sin, would have Life, according to John 10:10. If we received Jesus and Life through Him, by faith, then we are now living in faith. Romans 1:17 tells us that this faith, gave you Life and will also grow into mature faith, so we can mature from baby Christians into adult ones. 1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) says, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) pure unadulterated Spiritual mil of the Word, that by it you may be nurtured and grow into completed salvation."
The world and everything in it, is out to stop your growth in faith in Jesus and keep you a newborn baby Christian. Growing in faith, requires a stand against the world of darkness and satan's control in the lives of God's Own family. So many things that are to be received by faith, have fallen to unbelief in today's Church. Many say, "I don't think Christians need to know all that, to get to Heaven" or "Those things have passed away." These are just excuses though, for our not trusting God in His Promises.
We've all read the Promises of God for us, through Jesus in Isaiah 52,53 & 54. These scriptures speak about our deliverance from sin, sickness, disease and the restoration back to Righteousness with God. Many refuse to acknowledge healing and safety through Jesus, like these aren't important. If it meant enough to Jesus that He was willing to die and take our punishment for it, then it should be important enough to us that we're willing to fight for it. Anything important enough to die for, should be important enough to fight for, in our daily lives.
1Timothy 6:12 (Amplified) says, "Fight the Good fight of the faith; lay hold of the Eternal Life to which you were summoned and for which you confessed the Good confession of faith before many witnesses." The very faith that you used to receive salvation, is the same faith of God for healing, deliverance, peace with God and even righteousness, but you must fight the Good fight for the faith. If there was nothing to be gained by going from faith to faith, then the enemy wouldn't work so hard fighting against it. Remember, Ephesians 6:12 (Amplified) which says, "For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (contending only with physical opponents), but against the despotisms, against the powers, against the master spirits who are the world rulers of the present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness, in the heavenly supernatural sphere."
It's only by fighting the Good fight of faith, that we can obtain the Promises of God for us, in Jesus. If faith worked to remove sin in our new lives, then why don't we fight the same Good fight for the rest of what Jesus died to give us? Jesus asked in Mark 2:9-10 (Amplified), "Which is easier? to say to the paralyzed man 'Your sins are forgiven and put away,' or to say, "Rise, take up your sleeping pad or mat and start walking about and keep walking?' But that you may know positively and beyond doubt that the Son of Man has the right and authority and power on earth to forgive sins-He said to the paralyzed man, I say to you, arise, pick up and carry your sleeping pad or mat, and be going on home. And he arose at once and picked up the sleeping mat and went out before them all."
Today, we seem to believe that Jesus can forgive sin, but He can't heal. The people Jesus was standing before, believed He could heal, but that He couldn't forgive sin. Which was easier? Forgiving sin or healing the man? They both represented the same thing to Jesus. Forgiving sin broke the power that held the man in captivity. Sin and sickness both come from the same source, who is the ruler of darkness in this present age...the devil.
The Same Lamb Who died as our sin Offering, is the Same Lamb Who was accepted as our Sacrifice for healing. Jesus bore our infirmities and bore our disease and by His stripes we are made whole and healed, according to Isaiah 53:3-5. We seemingly believe that Jesus can forgive sin, but He no longer heals. The Same Jesus Who died on the cross, is the Same Jesus who bore the Curse of the Law, the healing of our body, soul, and spirit, our separation from God and our eternal punishment. If one part of the scripture is True, then all of it is True. Jesus cannot be divided into portions of doctrine. He is an All Encompassing, one time for all time, Offering to the Father.
When we reject part of Jesus' Sacrifice, we are dishonoring the Blood that bought and paid for our new birth and reinstated relationship with the Father. This is the Good fight of faith. Jesus gave "The Parable of the Sower," in Mark 4. He said that the "Seed" was God's Word, which was to be planted in men's hearts (their spirit man), which Jesus called "the soil." Mark 4:14,17 (Amplified) go on saying, "Satan comes at once and by force takes away the Message which is sown in them, When trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word." Notice that Jesus tells us in these scriptures that, the enemy came to steal, kill and destroy, by taking away the Word or Seed that was sown.
It's much easier to dig up an acorn, than it is to dig up an Oak Tree. It's easier to bring trouble and force upon the hearer to the Word, while it's still a Seed, than it is to allow the Seed to grow roots and strength, and then try taking it by force from the hearer. I've heard Christians say, "I tried that healing thing and it didn't work." We must learn to fight and contend for the faith and the Truth. The trials we've been attributing to "God is testing us," are the enemy's trying to take away the Seed that was sown in our hearts, by force. These trials come for the Word's sake.
One can't grow a harvest, without seed. The Seeds of healing will never produce your healing, if the enemy comes to take or dig up the Seed, before it takes root in your heart. We've misunderstood the True Heart of our Father, to where we don't trust Him with much else than going to Heaven when we die. The Truth is that the Father wants to be with us, while we're still living on this earth. No one in Heaven needs to see or experience God's healing and mercy, because they already in His Presence. It's here on earth, where God needs His people to believe and manifest His Presence.
Jesus said in His Parable of Mark 4:19 (Amplified), "The cares and the anxieties of the world chokes out the Word (or Seed) and it becomes fruitless." The enemy uses these distractions to stop the Seed of God's Word from producing the manifestation of God's Presence in this ungodly world. Satan will see to it that you don't have time to read God's Word or pray or go to Church or even give thought to God moving in your life. God instructed Adam, "Tend the garden," which is his heart or spirit. Proverbs 4:23 (Amplified) says, "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the Springs of Life."
God said in Proverbs 4:20-22 (Amplified), "My son, attend to My Words; consent and submit to My sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart For they are Life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh."
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