POWER TO CONCEIVE BY FAITH - PART 2

SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2022

There is no point talking about faith if we do not understand how to build it. So to be very sure that we know what we are doing, our professions of faith must be in line with the Word of God and yield a devoted communion with the Spirit of God. Let's find out more.

Reference: Hebrews 11:11 English Standard Version (ESV) "By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised."

Sarah's faith was not built in a day. She passed through series of trials over time and in the process, her experiences in the Lord built her faith to the point of firm belief and unswerving commitment to the Lord, even when she was past the age of childbearing. Remember that there was a time she persuaded her husband, Abraham, to go to her Egyptian maidservant named Hagar, in order to raise children through her. Abraham agreed with her proposal, meaning that both of them were not very strong in faith at that stage of their lives. And I'll come to the point of explaining the stages shortly.

The good question is: How can I build my faith to the point of receiving power to conceive or acquire anything from the Lord? The Bible tells us that we must accept the Good news first, and be persistent in paying attention to it because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. In fact, it says, "But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ" (Romans 10:16-17 NIV).

For this reason, apostle Paul says, "And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself" (Acts 20:32 NLT). Scripture lays it down as a necessity that the Christian life can only be shaped and built up by the Word which would normally result in continual growth in faith. And it is so in regard to every aspect of our lives on earth. Continuity in hearing the message of grace and its corresponding practice yields the increasing power of faith leading to spiritual maturity. Got it? So we're commended to the message of God's grace, as the source of nurturing, shaping and strengthening our faith in the Lord.

There is also a metaphor in regard to the stages of the Christian life, for instance, "babes in Christ", "young men in Christ", as well as, "old men or fathers in Christ". This does not imply physical growth but the stages of developing into spiritual maturity. In regard to this truth, John the Evangelist clearly stated this in his Johannine epistle, saying, "I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one" (1 John 2:12-14 NIV).

This is exactly what I meant when I said that Abraham and Sarah's faith in God grew progressively because his testimony changed with time. The Bible says, "Without being weak in faith, he considered his own body as dead (because he was about 100 years old) and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver in unbelief about the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God" (Romans 4:19-20 NET). This implies that over the course of time, his habit of firm belief in God's promise and in confessing the Word strengthened his faith and that of Sarah.

And so, let me say that it is of incalculable importance to get into the habit of building our faith with the Word because it is the only material that has the power to mould our Christian life and build our faith to the point of receiving power to conceive and accomplish great things. Simply put, firstly, bear in mind that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Secondly, keep hearing and confessing God's Word so as to stand strong in faith without wavering, and in doing so, you'll obtain the seemingly impossible outcomes and accomplish great feat. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Matthew 17:20; Mark 10:27; Romans 4:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for filling me with every sort of knowledge concerning the development of strong faith in you. As I meditate on the words of faith in the Scriptures, my perspective is altered to mature in line with your perfect will. God, I know how big you are and how you can do the impossible without any resistance. Therefore, by growing in faith and exercising it according to your Word, I continually experience the mighty display of your goodness and faithfulness in my life in Jesus' Name, Amen!