His incomparable great power for us who believe . . . it’s like the working of his mighty strength, Ephesians 1:19
Do you have faith? Do you believe that faith is the best option? Faith brings God-ordained provision. However, the absence of faith carries a huge cost. Faith is without equal in its effects on our lives because God is without equal, and faith is the invitation he answers with proof.
What is faith? Take a look at the Greek word “pistis.” Pistis means assurance, belief, belief, faith, fidelity. The words faith, belief, believing, and believe are translated from the word “pistis.” Faith is a noun and a verb. Our faith has to be an action in our lives.
Read Ephesians 1:11-23. What is the main topic in this passage? Look specifically at verses 13 and 19. What are the two verbs to the word believe? In verse 13, it speaks about the Christians have believed. This action refers to the exercise of the belief that leads to salvation. When we accept Christ’s invitation, the faith action is we immediately get God’s Holy Spirit and marked with a seal. This faith action is in the past with obviously radical results.
Faith is a present active participle. This verse applies to those who are presently, actively, and continually believing God. Our faith begins with an act of faith that brings us into our relationship with Jesus, but it doesn’t end there. Our journey is just beginning. We are called two daily continue to believe in Jesus in all that he came to do and speak.
Sadly those who believed in Christ have shown little action faith in him since. Why is that? God, who began its good work in you, wants to accomplish more than we could imagine. God doesn’t want us to be passive-active but to be presently active in our believing in Him. Like any relationship that we have, they are active, or the relationship dies.
According to verses 19-20, what specific promise applies to those who continue to believe?
According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, there are five statements to help with our relationship with God. God’s word is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness, that man may be complete.
Read the following scripture about faith: Ephesians, 1:15, 2:8, 3:12, 3:17, 4:5, 4:13, 6:16, and 6:23. What challenges do you have ahead of you? What are your deepest desires about those challenges? What seems clear about God’s will for you, and what seems less clear?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving us. I pray that we will choose to have an active faith in building our relationship with you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
