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Faith:
The Master Key
But WITHOUT FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to PLEASE HIM: for he that cometh to God MUST
BELIEVE THAT HE IS, and that he is a REWARDER of them that DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.
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How do measure the importance of faith? The reason I ask you that is because many people think they have to study a lot, pray a lot, and fast often in order to please God. While all of these things are good and right, and we should do them, they are not what pleases God. According to the above scripture, the one thing that pleases God is faith! It is the one thing that will cause God to pass up a million people just to get to you. Let's look at some reasons why faith is so important in the life of a Christian:
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1) We are saved by faith - John 3:14-15 / Romans 10:9 / Ephesians 2:8
2) We are justified by faith - Acts 13:39 / Romans 5:1 / Galatians 3:2
3) We receive answered prayer by faith - Matthew 21:22 / Mark 11:24 / I John 5:14-15
4) We are healed by faith - Mark 5:34 / Acts 3:16 / James 5:14-15
5) We overcome by faith - John 16:33 / Hebrews 11:32-34 / 1 John 5:4
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These are some very important reasons why faith is so critical in the life of a Christian because they all encompass areas of our lives that we are involved in every day, or at least we should be. This is why the Bible says in seven different places that the just shall live by faith. Which brings me to my main point: Faith is the Master Key.
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The Bible says in Revelation 3:7 that there are doors that God opens and no man can shut, and doors that He shuts and no man can open. God's people have been told for years that "When God shuts a door on you it's because He knows what's best, brother!" Well, that sounds nice and religious, but that's not what this Scripture is talking about. The Bible tells us in that verse that there is a key that will cause God to open doors in your life, and that key is The Key of David. That verse also tells us that Jesus is the one who holds that key. What key is it? It is the key of faith! When God shuts a door, no man can open it. But guess what? Faith can! How do I know that? Because the faith that pleases God is the faith that diligently seeks Him.
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God doesn't shut doors on you because He's trying to keep you from doing something you're not supposed to be doing. No, bless God, He gave you a free will. He's not trying to control you. He gave you HIS WORD so that you would know HIS WILL, thereby giving you the knowledge to know what He desires for your life so that you could be blessed. Did you get that? When you know His will, you can walk by faith in that and be assured that God will open doors for you (John 15:7 / I John 5:14-15).
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We read in Matthew 16:19 that Jesus said "...I will give unto thee the KEYS of the kingdom of heaven..." These keys represent principles of authority whereby we as children of God can govern things here upon the earth. Faith, however, is the master key that causes all of these other keys to work. The best example I can give you is that of a vault department in a bank. The vault department in a bank not only includes millions of dollars in cash, coin, bonds, and so forth, it also includes safe deposit boxes. These safe deposit boxes can be rented by bank customers to secure precious metals, important documents, jewelry, etc. What's interesting to note is that every safe deposit box must be opened with two keys: a master safe deposit key (which is held by the vault attendant), and the customer's key. Without that master key, no box can be opened. The faith of God is exactly the same way. It is the master key that causes every other key to function in the kingdom of God. Without it authority doesn't work, prayer doesn't work, the weapons of our warfare don't work, etc., etc.
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Now that we've established that faith is the master key that unlocks heaven's blessings in your life, there are some other important principles you need to understand to ensure this precious gift of faith is working for you as a child of God. They are as follows: #1) What is faith? #2) How does faith work? #3) How does faith grow? There is a vast amount of revelation knowledge inclusive within each one of these topics to keep you busy studying and meditating in the Word of God for a long time. Don't let that discourage you. Faith is a foundation you will never stop building upon as long as Jesus tarries His coming. I guarantee it. I want to provide you with some simple steps you can implement in order to make your study time productive and more enjoyable.
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1) Study faith systematically - Begin your study in an organized fashion.
Don't just try and go from A to Z. Find out what it is, then how it works,
then how it grows...It will help you process it a lot easier.
2) Run scripture references with a Strong's Concordance - Don't be lazy
with your study! Many Christians want to learn all they can about the
Bible, but don't want to put in the effort. Running references is a sure
fire way of guaranteeing you will learn the Word of God without trying
to memorize it.
3) Buys books and CDs by ministers who specialize in teaching faith -
The Bible says that we are to follow the faith of those who inherited
the promises of God through faith (Hebrews 6:10-11). These men and
women have paved the way for us. They have learned how to use the
Word of God skillfully and can lead by example. There's no reason to do
it the hard way. Learn from their mistakes so you won't have to make
them later!
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In closing, let me encourage you in your new found walk of faith. Don't get caught up in trying to learn it all at once. That is a trick of the devil. Then when you fall on your face (and you will), the devil will try to get you offended because of the Word and you will have a hard time trying to get restored. The devil will have you thinking all kinds of crazy junk like "this faith stuff don't work", "this faith stuff is hard", to "who am I kidding, this faith stuff is just for ministers!". Don't get caught in that trap. Faith is supposed to be the lifestyle of every child of God twenty fours hours a day, seven days a week. It is a requirement, not an option. Otherwise, you will live your Christian life beneath your privileges. Believe me when I say there are a lot of privileges! So start slow and work your way up the ladder. Before you know it you'll be living the triumphant life that God has promised you!
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CONFESSION OF FAITH:
I thank You, Heavenly Father, for the gift of faith. I thank you that You that this gift has been given to me so that I can learn how to receive the blessings of my inheritance in Christ Jesus. I make a quality decision to grow in faith by meditating in Your Word day and night. Since faith comes by hearing the Word of God, I will confess the Word of God concerning my righteousness, my healing, my prosperity, and every area of my life. As I believe what Your Word says, I will become conformed to the image of Your Word.