The Basic Principles of Faith

There are six biblical principles of faith that every Christian should know and live by in order to receive manifestation:

1. Faith Equals the Word of God
Hebrews 11:1 reads, "Now faith is the substance of things...." Therefore, all things were made by faith. In other words, everything that you see around you was made by faith.

Now let's go a step further. John 1:3 confirms, "All things were made by him." Him in this particular scripture references the Word of God as denoted in verse one. That means the Word is the substance or the essential ingredient needed to bring the things we desire into physical being.

God spoke faith-filled words when He brought the world into existence. In Genesis 1:3-29 it says repeatedly, "And God said...."But in verse 31 it says, "And God saw..." What did God see? He saw the manifestation of what He had spoken.

The Bible also says it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18). In other words, whatever He says will come to pass. If you don't spend time studying and meditating on the Word of God, then your faith in Him will never develop power.

To meditate means to "deeply reflect and speak what has been spoken." Meditating on God's Word will allow it to be sown into your spirit, empowering you with the anointing to remove burdens and destroy yokes.

Child of God, you can overcome every negative circumstance in life by getting the Word in your spirit and speaking the promises of God. You see, faith is more than just believing. To have the God-kind of faith you must believe, trust, and rely on His Word. In God's Word you'll find the wisdom necessary to accomplish the Lord's will for your life.

2. Faith is a Law
Romans 3:27-28 says, "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith...." Notice here that faith (the Word of God) is a law.

A law is an "established principle; a rule of action or conduct established by authority, society, or custom." Therefore we are justified—put in right standing with God—when we live by the law of faith.

Although governmental laws can be amended, the spiritual laws of God will never change. In Malachi 3:6, God said, "For I am the Lord, I change not...." The Scriptures also say that "Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Heb. 13:8).

If the Lord said that He will never change, then neither will His Word (Isa. 55:11). When He sets a spiritual law in motion, if you follow it properly, the outcome will always be the same. If God said it, then He'll do it.

For example, if someone were to jump off the top of a building, the law of gravity would immediately take effect. The person would fall to the ground. Although he may wear a parachute, he would still be subject to gravity.

Likewise, the law of faith will always have the same outcome if you operate by it. It will work for anyone regardless of his or her race or financial status.

At times, perhaps you've felt that God plays favorites and only distributes great faith to ministers and church leaders. Thank the Lord that isn't true. The Word says,"God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34).

He is, however, a respecter of faith.

Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith you cannot please God. When God is pleased He is moved to give you favor concerning your dilemma. The Word is the law of faith and it says that if you believe, you will receive (Mark 11:24).

Child of God, you have a blood-bought right to have prayers answered. Jesus did His part by dying on the cross to give you abundant life. Now it's up to you to do your part. Put the law of faith into action by sowing the Word into your spirit, speaking it, and believing God for manifestation.

3. Faith Gives You Authority
Many believers never see the end of their faith because they don't understand their covenant rights as children of God. They believe the Holy Spirit inspired the writing of the Bible, but they don't live by it. Many Christians don't have faith in their faith. In other words, they believe God is all-powerful, but lack the faith to believe Him for deliverance from their circumstances.

Faith in the Word gives you the authority over every circumstance and every trial. The anointing that God has made available to you gives you the dominion to speak to any mountain—debt, sickness, etc.—and have it removed (Mark 11:23).

By trusting in and relying on God's Word, you can do the impossible. According to Jeremiah 33:3, if you call on God, He promises to answer and show you great and mighty things. The Greek word for mighty is dunamis, which means "power and ability to perform anything."

When your prayers line up with the Word, God will make anointing-burden removing, yoke destroying power-available to you to be victorious in every situation.

4. Jesus: Author and Finisher of Our Faith
When you desire something that is in line with God's Word, look to Jesus Who is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). He is willing to make sure that you receive the end of your faith—the manifestation you desire. Jesus wants to make sure that God's promises come to pass for you.

For example, if you need healing, look to Jesus as the One responsible for your healing. The Bible says, "...and with his stripes we are healed" (Isa. 53:5). Jesus did His part by paying the ultimate price for your healing. All you have to do is receive it!

Don't believe the doctor's negative report. Receive your healing by speaking the Word of God. Declare: "Jesus is the author and finisher of my healing! I believe it and receive it!"

5. Faith Works by Love
If you're not walking in the love of God, then your faith cannot operate. You can pray and sow offerings into your local church, but if your love walk is not working, then your faith won't work.

The Amplified Bible says faith is activated, energized and expressed through love (Gal. 5:6). Like a flashlight needs batteries, faith needs love in order to work. If you want world overcoming faith, perfect your love walk.

First John 5:2 says, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." Keeping God's commandments is the evidence of our love for one another. Our love walk empowers our faith walk and makes us victorious in overcoming the world and its system of operation.

6. Faith Is a Way of Life
Child of God, faith is more than belief; it is a way of life. To be a Christian means to be Christ-like, or a follower of Christ's example. Jesus is anointed to remove burdens and destroy yokes (Luke 4:18). Likewise, as His ambassadors, we are anointed.

The Word of God says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:16-17).

The gospel (good news) is the power of God and in it we find God's divine plan for our lives. The just live by faith.

In other words, the life of a born-again believer must be based on faith, not on the world's system of establishing success.

If you want to be successful in every area of life, live by faith. Again, faith and the Word of God are synonymous. Living by faith simply means living according to the Word of God.

Make it a quality decision. According to Hebrews 10:23, Jesus is faithful to do what He promised if you live by faith.

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