The Israelites failed to enter the rest of God because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). God’s promise of rest still remains (Hebrews 4:1,9). Hallelujah! By faith, we can rest in God if we believe.
Those who heard the Word, did not mix it with faith and therefore couldn’t enter God’s rest (Hebrews 4:2-3). If we don’t mix faith with God’s Word, we will not profit from it.
God is looking for anyone who will believe Him; He is looking for faith! If we have little faith in our great God, we will experience miracles. Jesus says, “all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23). Where there was unbelief, Jesus was unable to perform any miracles.
We must seek God for faith that is alive and active; faith that works! Not big faith that is dead but faith that is full of life.
Principles that will quicken/energize our faith to work:
1. Faith and love: Faith is put into motion (is driven or is energized) by love. The only thing that counts is faith that works or expresses itself by love (Galatians 5:6). If we have a revelation of the depth, height and width of God’s love, our faith will be energized. Love produces faith! Our unbelief is rooted in a lack of revelation of the love of God. Love is the greatest (1 Corinthians 13:13)!
2. Faith and works: Faith without works is dead (James 2:26)! There is no profit for a man who has faith but no works (James 2:14). We have been saved by grace through faith and not works, but we are saved for good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). God is calling us to demonstrate our faith through works; not only to be hearers but also doers of the Word! Jesus will be coming quickly, to give a reward according to our works (Revelations 22:12).
3. Faith and intimacy: Faith is birthed out of a deep relationship with God. Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith – our Source of faith and if we remain in (are close to) Him our faith will be energized. Enoch walked with God and had a close, intimate relationship with God (Genesis 5: 23-24).
Let us seek to grow in faith as we seek God’s love, as we put our faith to work and as we go into deeper relationship with the Lord!