Devotional: Possessing Your Possession
Faith in Action - Possessing Your God-Given Possessions
Scripture Readings:
Ephesians 1:3
Hebrews 11:6
Romans 1:17
Acts 2:37-38
Romans 10:17
1 Corinthians 12:8-10
Theme: Faith in Action - Possessing Your God-Given Possessions
Introduction: Beloved, today we journey into the profound truth of possessing our possessions in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 proclaims that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Our redemption in Jesus fulfills the legal and spiritual requirements for us to be blessed. Yet, these blessings are accessed and activated through faith. Faith is the hand that gets what God has already given by grace. Without faith, it is impossible to walk into what God has already done and finished through His death and resurrection.
Reflection: Faith is the key that unlocks the treasures of heaven. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. We must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. But faith operates in levels, each requiring a specific response.
Levels of Faith:
Saving Faith: Saving faith is the foundational level, helping us cross from death to life. This faith is activated by simply saying "Yes" to Jesus. In Acts 2:37-38, we see the crowd responding to Peter’s message with repentance and baptism. Peter’s sermon inspired saving faith in them. They were Jews who had not heard about the finished work of Jesus. This initial step of faith brings us into the family of God. Just as a child is born into a family, so we are born into God’s family through saving faith.
Illustration: Consider a prisoner set free by a pardon. The legal requirement for his freedom is met, but he must step out of the prison gates to experience freedom. Similarly, Jesus' sacrifice meets the legal requirements for our salvation, but we must accept it to live in that freedom.
Walking Faith: Walking faith powers our Christian lifestyle. Our newfound nature in Christ can only be lived out by faith. Through the finished work of Jesus on the cross, all is finished, and the way to walk in what is finished is to walk by faith. Faith behaves what is finished. This level of faith grows as we immerse ourselves in God’s Word and obey it. Romans 10:17 states that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Working Faith: Working faith, or the gift of faith, is a supernatural empowerment by the Holy Spirit, enabling us to do the work of God. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 describes this gift among the spiritual gifts given to believers. Every intention of God can only be fulfilled by the power of God. No man can do what is in God’s mind without God’s power. When God releases an assignment, He equally releases the power to do it. The Bible states that it is He who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. This is the faith responsible for signs, wonders, and miracles. This faith comes by prayer and fasting, especially praying in tongues.
Abiding Faith: Abiding faith, also known as the grace of faith, is a deep, sustained faith that comes through a lifestyle of victory. It’s the peace and confidence that Jesus exhibited when He slept in the boat during the storm (Mark 4:38). This faith results in a state of Shalom, a system of sustained triumph. The grace of faith helps us dwell in victory no matter what is happening. It is the faith that says it is well. In the midst of turmoil and waves of evil, it keeps calm. It is immovable in the face of destruction.
Consider the lives of early Christian martyrs. Despite facing severe persecution, they exhibited abiding faith, remaining steadfast and peaceful even in the face of death. Their unwavering faith was a testament to their deep, abiding relationship with God.
Application: To possess your possessions in Christ, identify which level of faith you are currently operating in and seek to grow. Engage with God's Word, be obedient, take bold steps as the Spirit leads, and cultivate a lifestyle of continuous victory through abiding faith. Faith is the cornerstone of the Christian lifestyle. You cannot walk in what God has already possessed for you if you do not have faith.
Prayer: Lord, take me through the journeys that grow my faith. Lord, help me renew my mind to my newfound nature in Christ. Lord, I repent for unbelief and I ask You to strengthen me in my faith journey. Amen.