We talk a lot about faith around here. With that in mind, I have a letter I would like to read to you.
Dear Brother Ollison,
I have been listening to you off and on now for several months. I have learned some things and one of them is this: I know that I must have faith to please God. You have taught that faith is important in order to make the Word work in my life and I believe that. I look up all the scriptures you refer to, but somehow I still don’t have a clear picture of what faith is. Is there a simple way to understand this?”
(A letter from St. James, Missouri)
Well, this man has a valid question. What is faith?
He is right. Faith is required for all the promises in the Bible to work in our lives. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
Then Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Then we find that the prayer of faith will heal the sick. James 5:15 says, “And the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up.”
Next, we find that a man who doesn’t pray in faith shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord. James 1:6 & 7 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.”
Also, we know that according to Romans 14:23, anything that is not of faith is sin. And Hebrews 4:2 says that the gospel did not profit some who heard the gospel because they did not mix it with faith in their hearts.
And last, but not least, 1 John 5:4 says, “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith.”
The man from St. James learned well. Faith is required by God. We are saved by faith. We are healed by faith. We need faith to please God. If we don’t ask in faith, we cannot expect to receive anything. Anything that is not of faith is sin. The gospel is only profitable to those who mix it with faith and faith is our victory that overcomes the world.
But what is faith? Faith is simply believing that God will do what He said He would do and acting on it. Isn’t that simple? Actually it’s so simple that most people miss it.
Second Corinthians 11:3 says, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
The gospel is simple. It’s not complicated. It’s something everyone can understand and faith is the same way. First of all, to have faith we must know that God cannot lie. Second, we must know the Word of God. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Third, we must speak the Word of God. And fourth, we must act on the Word of God.
Believe God and act on what He says. That’s faith.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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 eight 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.