Kingdom of Heaven Part 2, Faith

Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven, Kingdom of Heaven, Series

July 27, 2022

n our recent blogs, we discussed the Good News Jesus came to share with us which is the coming Kingdom of God. God sent Jesus on a mission here on earth so we (you and I) may be saved and join Christ eternally in his Kingdom. But did you know that there are specific ways or criteria required in our journey to Heaven? We have to have faith, a crucial requirement that Jesus taught throughout his ministry. Let’s get in to it and explore what faith really is by carefully analyzing scripture.

What is it?

It`s basically a strong belief or trust. Have you heard someone say “I have faith in you”? Now let’s look at the biblical meaning: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). What are we hoping for? Hope (belief & trust) in Jesus Christ, because it is through him, and only him we may enter the Kingdom of God.

For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Let’s take a look at an astounding amount of faith some of my favourite characters in the Old Testament had. Both Joseph and David showed extraordinary faith in God especially during hard times.

Faith in The Old Testament

Examples

Joseph Son of Jacob

Always believed and trusted God when he was a slave when he was unjustly treated,
sold as a slave, as a prisoner and when he became the second most powerful man in Egypt.
Even when he was tempted by Porpitars wife, he never faltered in his faith in God.
He never stopped trusting in God and continued honoring God till the end.

King David vs Goliath

David was very confident since God helped him before to save his flock from a bear and lion.
As a boy, he took up the challenge to fight a feared giant because he strongly believed the Philistines were no match with God.
David equipped himself the armor of God, fully believing that its sufficient to defeat the enemy, and it did.

Faith in The New Testament

Examples

In the New Testament, Jesus shows us the importance of having strong faith and its works. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? James 2:14 Abraham was willing to slay his son at God’s command (James 2:21).

The Mustard Seed

Jesus said to his disciples: “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”(Matt 17:12).

Calm Storm

Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40).

Peter Walking on Water

Peter’s faith faltered when he lost focus on Christ, fear and doubt kicked in. Jesus said to him ““You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:22-33).

Key Takeaways:

Understand, Innerstand and Overstand

We tend to doubt and only believe in things that we can see and touch, I get it. We are also fond of looking for evidence and scientific explanations, but when it comes to knowing God (who is spirit in nature), it important to also have a spiritual mindset. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Faith is absolute trust and belief in Jesus Christ: Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

Entering the Kingdom of God is a gift, through faith: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Do you believe in our assurance Lord Jesus Christ? Let me know in the comments below.

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