“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;” 2 Peter 1:5 AMP
The Apostle Peter sets out to give us a step-by-step approach to reaching the goal of living right for God. He starts out with the base of the instruction to build upon…faith. Faith is the expression of our commitment to the call of God in our lives. It is the key that opens the door of His promises and power! The Scripture tells us that,
“But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 AMP
Makes sense right? Faith is more than expectation; it is the visible demonstration of what we believe. I love this verse because it says that all God needs is someone who will believe! 2nd Chronicles reminds us of this fact.
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this; therefore, from now on you will have wars.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 AMP
We will continue the war without sin if we rely on our own strength. This verse reminds us that God is actively looking to rescue whoever will believe! Many of us know the Biblical definition of faith.
“Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].” Hebrews 11:1 AMP
The assurance that we need to operate in in the Spiritual realm is trust. That’s why it is so important that we know Who God is and not what He is about! Just as a small child trusts their parents because of their experience, so too we must have the same attitude with our trust of God. The challenge is that many of us in recovery have been burned when we trusted someone important to us. Maybe a parent, relative or friend abused their relationship with us and took advantage. Maybe they violated a confidence that we entrusted them with. This can be a reason why we retreat into our addiction or sin because it is a place that we can (or at least think we can) control. The good news is that God does not operate like that. He does not ask us to blindly place our lives in His hands. He stretches His out His hands, showing the marks of love permanently scared in His palms and says, “I love you this much! Just give me a chance!” The Apostle Paul wrote these words to his mentee Timothy about His relationship with Christ.
“This is why I suffer as I do. Still, I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him].” 2 Timothy 1:12 AMP
Do you see it? His faith was based in his relationship with Jesus! Let me encourage you today to know Him better! The Scripture is clear,
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 NKJV