Extreme Faith

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4)

A recurring word in the Holy Writ is faith! Jesus took a lot of time to talk about it; "If ye have faith" (Matthew 21:21), "how is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40), among others. In fact, many Christians are well acquainted with this word but what does it really mean? No doubt, a perfect definition of faith is given by the apostle Paul as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrew 11:1).

Someone has defined faith as "seeing with your heart when all your eyes see is darkness." Also, another definition of faith goes like this: "to trust God in the light is nothing. To trust God in darkness… that is faith." A Christian’s faith is rarely noticeable when he is prosperous, however, in times of perplexities and adversities, these are the golden opportunities--- indeed the right time to call the word ‘faith’ out of the dictionary. Paul spent a great deal of time talking about the acquisition of faith. How do I get my faith increased? The answer he gives is, "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Faith grows! It should therefore be nurtured--- by paying due diligence to the word of God.

There may be different explanations to faith but the faith that I seek to talk about is the tangible faith, an experiential faith, the stubborn faith--- oh yes the extreme faith--- the faith that courageously urges us to advance, hoping all things, believing all things" (From the Heart 14.5). The faith that is able to declare, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16), "…he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king… but if not we will not serve thy gods" (Daniel 3:17, 18). This is the sanctifying, saving faith--- "The faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12). We live in a time of the world which calls for a faith that does not murmur; a faith that is unflinching.

It is important to note that only an enduring faith overcomes the world. The faith that is able to see the Orion even when the sky is cloudy. To be a Christian without faith is just something that is non-existent. Beloved, do you long to be in the company of the holy angels and the saints? Then remember, "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrew us 11:6). Get hold of faith--- get the "faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12); for it is the only faith that can usher you into the celestial city of God. Blessings!

Jude Adjei Asamoah