Does faith work? What good does faith do?

We sing the song.  We want to believe it.

 “Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.”

 Sometimes, though, darkness overwhelms us.  Fear and hurt choke us.  We doubt whether faith works and our hearts cry out, ‘What good is faith?’  That cry is our hope—for digging deep into our faith gives us the footing we need to live in victory.  Digging deep exposes faith roots that may need to be re-potted!  Not all faith is equal…only one faith ‘works.’

Everyone has faith in something, but faith in Jesus Christ is the work of God.

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God: to believe

in the one whom he has sent.”  John 6:29

Working faith can only come from God.  It must be received as a treasure beyond our resources, a generous gift from the all-giving Creator.  We cannot drum up more faith with prayer or performance.  Although faith comes by hearing, wise and wonderful words cannot create it.

Working faith does not sit idle; it is not to be stock piled.  Like the manna in the desert, faith sustains life each day.  Living faith allows our lives to be the work of God in our immediate world. Receiving the faith gift brings God into this hurting world!  God-given faith empowers us to do the work of God; it puts us in the center of the amazing plans and purposes of God.

Faith that works does great good!  It brings wholeness and fulfills the purpose of God in our lives.  Working faith transforms individuals, families and nations. Faith heals bodies, souls and spirits…but the healing God most desires is relationship.  Faith works out God’s great purpose: drawing souls closer to the Himself and then closer to one another.  Faith will never settle for a lesser healing.  Sometimes our faith falters because we put our faith in a particular result…or we put our faith in a process.  Working faith does not determine what will happen; it determines that what happens is good because God is good.

Hebrews 11:6 admonishes us that only faith pleases God…and it is not just faith that believes in his existence and his power.  The faith that pleases God is faith that believes God is good and powerful enough to bring about good.  When doubts try to drown me, I turn to the names of God and look for Glory Glimpses.  I find great assurance in knowing more about the One who holds my life in His hands.  He is worthy of my faith; He is worthy of your faith.

How has faith worked in your life?  Has God revealed Himself to you through one of His names?  Will you help someone else see Him in that way by commenting below?  Give God the glory, listen to Say Amen! as you comment.