Exercising your Faith

Preacher: Reverend Chikafa

Main reading: II Kings 7:1-10

Theme: Exercising your Faith

Message

Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see, according to Hebrews 11:1.

Confidence is being certain that something invisible will become visible. Hope is an idea or a desire that exists in the mind, while faith is the action of putting something which was not visible into visible or reality.

For example, a person may have an idea to build a house but does not have the money to do so. That idea becomes hope; the belief that one day they will build a house. However, for that house to be built, it requires action through faith. Since faith involves action, it should be visible to others.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. In Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, and 11, God spoke his word, and people were able to see the results of what he declared.

Attributes of Faith

1. Faith Never Fails

If something fails, it may have been mere hope rather than faith. Faith is accompanied by action, and action produces visible results.

2. Faith Comes to Pass

Faith brings God's promises to fulfillment, regardless of what others think or believe.

3. Faith Is a Gateway to Heaven

Hebrews 11:6 says that it is impossible to please God without faith.

In II Kings 7:1–10, four starving men with leprosy demonstrated active faith. They refused to remain paralyzed by their circumstances. Although they were sitting at the city gate, unable to go back or leave the city, they took a bold step based on God's promise.

There are times in life when the people we depend on are no longer there. During such moments, do not lose hope. God has promised that there is light at the end of the tunnel. He is the God of orphans, widows, and all who trust in him.

Do not remain at the gate. The gate is an entry point to our destiny. Exercise your faith and move forward. Esther, Moses, and many others stepped forward in faith (Esther 2, Exodus 14, and Matthew 6). II Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." These passages encourage us to move forward and trust God for salvation and breakthrough rather than remain at the gate.

Romans 12:2 teaches us to transform and renew our minds. The world has its own pattern, but believers are called not to conform to it. Instead, we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

David is a good example of this principle. While others saw Goliath as an unbeatable giant, David saw God's power and victory. He had faith that God would defeat Goliath, and through that faith, Goliath was defeated. The pattern we must follow is walking by faith, not by appearances.

Requirements to Exercise Faith

1. Faith Requires us to forget about logical understanding

In Genesis 12:1, God told Abraham to leave his country and go to a place He would show him. Abraham obeyed without knowing where he was going. His obedience was an act of faith rather than human reasoning.

2. Faith Requires Taking Risks

Faith often requires us to step out of our comfort zones. As long as our actions do not lead us into sin, we should trust God and move forward. First Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God provides a way through every temptation and challenge. Therefore, we should not live in fear of life's problems.

3. Faith Requires Taking a Step

When God instructed Moses to lead the Israelites, Moses had to move forward in obedience. Faith requires action. James 1:6–8 teaches that we must ask in faith without doubting, because a doubting person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Therefore, faith is more than believing; it is acting upon God's Word. When we trust God, take steps of obedience and refuse to be limited by fear or circumstances.