Today, I am going to share with you one of the most important truths of the Bible for the Christian. This one bit of knowledge, this one nugget, this one truth, if applied to your life, can take you from sickness to health, from poverty to prosperity, and from bondage to freedom.
Jesus said in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
What will make us free? Well, according to Jesus, it’s not just the truth that will set us free, but it’s knowing the truth.
The Greek word used here for know is ginosko. This word means “to intimately know,” “to be one with.” In other words, to know the truth so well, to be so positive of it, to understand it so completely, that you act on it instinctively, without hesitation.
Let me explain. In Luke chapter 6, Jesus tells the story of two men who built houses. One house was built on a rock foundation and one house was built on sand, without a foundation. When the storm came, the house built on the rock withstood the storm while the house built without a foundation, the one built on the sand, was completely destroyed.
Jesus went ahead and explained the parable by saying that the man who built his house on the rock was like a man who heard His sayings and did them. And the man who built his house on the sand, was like a man who heard His sayings and did not do them.
Now, listen closely. Both men heard the sayings of Jesus. Both men heard the Word. But even though both men heard the Word, only one knew the Word. Only one man understood it and knew it so completely, that he acted on it. Only when we hear and do, can faith be present.
There are many good people who spend a lot of time reading the Bible and hearing the Word. Many of these people even believe what they read and hear. However, it doesn’t matter how much you read or hear, and it doesn’t even matter how much you believe. If you don’t act on what you have learned, it will profit you nothing.
If we only hear and believe, then we will perish. If we hear the Word, believe and act on our belief, then our house will be built on the rock and we will weather the storms of life.
Once a lady told me that she had read the Bible through seventeen times. The only problem was, this lady didn’t have a lick of faith. Why? Because to her it was only history. Everything to her was just knowledge about the past or a prophecy about the future. She even told me that nothing in it applied to her today. Sadly this woman fell into the category that Jesus was talking about.
Reading or hearing the Word and not acting on it is like knowing about God but not knowing God.
Now don’t take me wrong. I’m not saying that we are to live by works instead of faith. But what I am saying is this. Without works faith is dead. And living with dead faith leaves us unshielded against the fiery darts of the evil one.
So, here’s the point. We must read the Word, believe the Word, and act on the Word. Only then will our faith be living faith.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.