we left off from our last article on finishing strong, how that the race set before us is not a Sprint but a Marathon.
But for this last part of this article, I present to you the secret of finishing strong.
Be not slothful, but followers of them who through Faith and Patience inherit the promises………And so after he had patiently endured, he obtained the Promise_ Hebrews 6:12:15
"Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witness,…………..let us run with Patience the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1
The secret of finishing strong in this journey are;
FAITH:
“The just shall live by Faith…….” Hebrews 10:38
What is Faith?
I know what came to your mind is Hebrews 11:1 "Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"
But what does it mean to you?
How many believers understands Faith?
Faith is a realm in the Spirit.
-John C. Joseph
The subject of Faith has been misconstrued in our generation, hence the spiritual value has been eroded from the church. Many feel Faith is active when we acquire things for our personal ego and self aggrandizement.
Faith is the Crux of the entire message of the gospel, without which, it is impossible to please God. Due to this misconceptions, most Christian’s now believes that they don’t have enough Faith that can move mountains.
The more answers to your prayers, the more Faith you have, while others believes the more possessions you acquire, the more Faith you practice and have. Some have confessed Faith and still remained where they are, because… Faith is a realm in the Spirit.
Dimensions of Faith
“Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1
Substance: The essential part of anything; the most vital part. (Material)
Hope: The belief or expectation that something wished for can or will happen. The virtuous desire for future good.
Evidence : Is not seen physically but seen in the Spirit thereby confident that it will happen in the physical as it is in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
There are 3 dimensions of Faith
FAITH: Salvational Faith.
“…..and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where unto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” 1 Timothy 6:12
For by grace are ye saved through Faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8
At Salvation, faith was deposited in us. This faith is the sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the Holy people of God.
The Fruit of Faith:
"We having the same spirit of Faith, according as it is written, believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;” 2 Corinthians 4:13
This is the fruit that is beyond the faith that gave us salvation. The faith that brought salvation is a door that leads to the fruit of Faith. This is a deeper dimension to help us access God and belief His word and put it into practice.
This faith is made up of 3 elements
a. Knowledge: Roman 10:14. What you know determines what you act upon.
b. Belief: Romans 10:17, 4:5; 5:1. We must hear in order to know what to belief.
c. Trust: self-less abandonment to what you believe in.
The gift of Faith:
This is a special gift and ability to believe and declare a miracle or a word from God into reality. This gift of Faith helps in the manifestation of the gift of working of miracles, healing amongst other gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:9, Matthew 17:19-20, 2 Corinthians 4:13
In general, Faith is a shield in fighting against the hurdles of heresy on our Spiritual journey. Ephesians 6:16. Faith is a relationship with God. This faith is confidence in God, thiis Faith is the Trust and the ability to belief God despite all odds and circumstances.
This faith is the only voice God attends to. Faith is the currency in the Spirit that aids Spiritual transactions. It takes Faith to receive the promise God made to you and anything done without faith is sin. This dimensions of faith aids us to stay strong and finish this race Strong.
More also, we need to increase in FAITH as we increase in Grace and the knowledge of the Lord according to 2 Peter 3:18. The absence of faith or the decrease in faith is the result of weariness and fainting in the minds of many in this race.
Paul admonished us that the many cloud of witness that compassed us about has the secret of unwavering Faith in obtaining the promise. Abraham patiently waited through Faith for the promises, he endured till the promise came.
Are you on the verge of giving up? Increase your faith. For with Faith, we can finish strong not weak and faint in mind.
The second secret to finishing strong is.
2. Patience:
The Holy Spirit understands the journey set before us, so He inspired men to write down the secrets of finishing strong in Different chapters of the gospels. The ancients knows this and they apply their hearts to the knowledge of the immortals.
Without Patient, it spells Doom because the devil always have alternative to patient which leads to death and deprivation of the Prize.
For ye have need of Patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebrews 10: 36
And Hebrew 12:1 admonishes us to abide with Patience.
“…….and let us run with Patience the race that is set before us”
God might not come through for you when you want it. Can you be patient? If No, then the fruit of Patient has not taken root in you. We must be apt to wait on God regardless the time frame it takes. It took Abraham 25 years to have Issac, while 20 years for Isaac to bear Jacob and Esau. Hannah was redicule and mocked by Pennila but they all waited (Patient) and their story changed.
To walk with God and Finish Strong, we need to be content to wait if necessary, not loosing one’s temper while waiting; not bothered with having to wait and not unwilling to wait.
Finally, How does Patient Grow?
When your faith is tried and stretched, then Patience is birthed. As patient continuous to grow and matured, then we fit into Divine alignment which is God’s purpose why He allowed the persecution and challenge from the beginning. James 1:3-4
Are you weary in the race already?
Are you planning of quiting already?
In you lies the tenacity and capability to Finish Strong. The Holy Spirit is there to hold your hands as you go through this race.
Paul got to the finish line and screamed.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
I charge you finally through the words of Paul to Timothy.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12
Amb. John C. Joseph
The Exceptional Writer.
Change Agent Embassy Int’l
(Raising Spiritual Ambassadors)