Hindrances To Faith Cont’d
In Hebrew 6:12 we are told to be “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises”. Here we learn that it does not take faith alone to inherit God’s promises but both faith and patience. Thus, as long as we are lacking in patience, we will hinder our faith. God doesn’t just give us His promises but also sets appointed times for His promises to manifest (Habakkuk 2:3). We cannot make God’s promises come to pass a moment earlier than the appointed time He has set but we can always delay their manifestation through unbelief and impatience. To have patience is to remain steadfast, holding on to your faith and confessions, and persevere even in the face of contrary evidence and seeming delay. The period of patience will always test the genuineness of our faith.
The Bible also teaches that “for ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36). There are two important lessons we can learn from this text. Firstly, this text shows us that patience is God’s will for us and we need that experience of patience to inherit God’s promises. The text also shows us that the period of patience is not just for being idle; it is for doing God’s will after which we shall see the manifestation of God’s promises. Therefore, if you are in a period of waiting, give yourself to doing God’s will; seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and He will ensure that all things are added unto you (Matthew 6:33). Also use the time of waiting to build up yourself spiritually and physically to develop the character and capacity needed to be a faithful steward of the blessings and promises of God.
Usually when we read the Word, God tells us exactly what He is going to do but He doesn’t always tell us “how” or “when” His promises will come to pass. Therefore, if God doesn’t tell you when He will bring a promise your way, do not come up with your own time and expect God to run with your time table. His promises are for His appointed time not ours. We need to combine patience with our faith to inherit His promises.
Another hindrance to our faith is the choice to live in disobedience to God or make a practice sin. The Bible says to submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7). From this, we learn that we are able to resist the devil when we first submit to God. Otherwise, we give place to the devil (cf. Ephesians 4:27), and when he comes, he only comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). However, because God has made us His righteousness in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21), we are divinely enabled to pursue and walk in righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22 ). This righteousness is our defense (Ephesians 6:14) and as we walk in it, we shall give no legal grounds to devil hinder us or our faith.
Dr. K. Omari
June 24, 2021
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.