The soils of faith are what enable our faith to thrive when challenged in any way. One key soil is references to the examples of those who have faced similar challenges and overcome them. Faith is most needed when hope is gone or seems to be fading. We therefore need to be assured of similar instances where God honoured his promise in spite of the negative physical impression against hope.
In Genesis 12: 1 God said to Abram, go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. Abram did not know the land but he obeyed not knowing where he was going. Obedience to, and knowledge of God gave birth to his faith. Logic and reasonableness have no place in the exercise of faith. Belief and trust were the soils of Abram’s faith.
We repeat the examples of David the shepherd boy who faced Goliath; Daniel and the three Hebrew boys named in Daniel 3:12-30; Moses when God called him in Exodus 4: 19-20; Caleb and Joshua as spies in Numbers 13: 31; Noah when God instructed him to build the ark in Genesis 7: 1-7; Naaman with leprosy in 2 Kings 5: 10-15; and many countless biblical examples. God wants us to also be examples to others.
As we dilate on other soils of Christian faith, we pray that the good Lord will enable us to present his word as he intends us to do in his holy name. We humbly wish to continue with the previous discussions on the soils of the Christian faith as the Lord may permit as follows:
Holding on to God
Holding on to God is a soil whose yield is predicated on resilience and determination. Jesus said in Matthew 17: 20 for truly, I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there; and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. It starts with belief and taking a step based on the belief. The biblical and historical stories of Abraham, David and how he faced Goliath, Samson and how he defeated his enemies; Jesus and his commitment to God; the faiths of Peter, Paul and many others are evidence of the soils of resolve and unflinching commitment.
1 Corinthians 10: 13 says no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. Adversities are not permanent and will cease. We need the grace of God to hold on to him in such times. Jesus said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. We must take Jesus at his word. Revelation 2:10 says be faithful unto death, and I (Christ) will give us the crown of life. In this regard Paul was faithful unto death and thus said in 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Paul was so confident to say that he was awaiting his crown which he would have. Are we confident to repeat the words of Paul?
Knowing our adversary
Knowledge of our adversary retools us with confidence as we are able to prepare and to anticipate his antics without surprises. Knowledge of him is half the battle won. It enables us to know the strength and weakness of the adversary and the opportunities we have to overcome or succeed. We cannot effectively fight or confront our adversary without any or adequate knowledge of him and that knowledge is enshrined in scripture and by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ said in Luke 10: 18 I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. This means the fallen cannot be victorious nor can the vanquished be a victor in battle. Satan has fallen in substance from God’s favour and thus has no power over God’s children. In debilitating situations we must always remember God’s promise to shield us is supreme. Colossians 2: 15 says he (Jesus Christ) disarmed the principalities and powers and made public examples of them, triumphing over them in him. Our triumph is assured if we remain in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 11: 14 says and no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. In short Satan is a trickster and all his ways are deceitful or fake.
1 Peter 5: 8 says be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Our adversary will devour us if we desert God, fail to be sober to obey God and to learn from his ordinances. Revelation 12:7- 8 says now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. Satan is the dragon of fear and confusion.
Possessing a child’s heart
Our minds wonder and keep questioning God on his word from human perspectives. Our minds are different from God’s and therefore inferior to fathom God’s wisdom, nature and authority. Children however behave differently. They accept in utmost good faith what their father tells them. Jesus said in Matthew 18: 3-4; Mark 10: 14-15; Luke 18: 17 truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
We honour God with trust and submission and in these soils faith is born. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 6: 13 I speak as to children-widen your hearts also. We cannot build or grow our faith without a receptive heart to the word of God. Touching on what a child should do, Paul said in Ephesians 6: 1 that children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. If we are children of God, we must obey his word. Our job is to obey God and to be blind to what contradicts his word. Colossians 3: 20 says children obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Faith requires that we obey God in everything.
Having the right attitude
Having the right attitude means pleasing God without which we will wither in faith. We must be blind to what we see. Hebrews 11: 1 says faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. It is not seeing is believing but believing without seeing. We need a resilient spirit in troubled times. Revelation 2: 10 says do not fear what you are about to suffer. ….. be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. We must be prayerful. Ephesians 6: 18 says pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
We must not be anxious. Philippians 4: 6 says have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. We must not avert our minds to what people say. Ephesians 4: 14 says do no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. 2 John 1: 10 says if any one comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into the house or give him any greeting. In effect we must always trust in God.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, grow our faith in the soils to make us vessels for your outreach. Make us pure within and faithful to your word. In troubled times, let us remember who you are and your promises. Give us your spirit to adopt your attitude of obedience and faith. Give us your grace to be resilient knowing you are in control. Cleanse us from doubts in your blood and in your holy name, Amen!!
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