I am constantly amazed by some of the mail I receive. One time I received a letter from a man who said he had been in the ministry for over thirty years. He was a pastor of a church in a major denomination for most of those years and in his “retirement” had been placed over several small rural churches as the denomination’s “man in the field.”
In his letter he told me of all his vast biblical knowledge. He said he knew Greek and Hebrew and that he had been a Bible teacher for several years. After he finished his lengthy resume he went on to make this statement. And I quote:
Last week I was given a copy of your book by one of the pastors I oversee. He was excited and very much caught up by your faith teaching. I had to calm him down and bring him back to reality. I think people like you make faith seem more important than it really is. Maybe if we didn’t hear about faith for a while, the church could heal its wounds. God be with you, Signed Reverend —-
Now I won’t mention his name, but this letter comes from Springfield, Illinois.
Let me say this. I understand that false teachers do exist, but let’s look at the Word of God, the Holy Bible, and see what God has to say about faith.
Not Hear About Faith?
First of all Romans 14:23 says, “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.”
Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
When the woman touched Jesus’ garment in Mark 5:34, Jesus turned to her and the first thing He said to her was, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.”
In James 5:15, where the church is instructed how to pray for those who are sick, the Bible says, “and the prayer of faith will save the sick.”
In James chapter one we are told that if we want wisdom, all we have to do is to ask. However, verse 6 tells us how to ask: “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.”
In Ephesians 2:8 we are told that we are saved by grace and through faith. In other words, faith is required for salvation.
In Galatians chapter three we are told that, “since faith has come we are no longer under the law.”
As Christians we are told in 2 Corinthians 5:7 to walk in faith and not by what we see. And in Hebrews chapter four, verse two, we are told that the gospel was preached to the Hebrews in the wilderness but was not profitable to them because it was not mixed with faith in their hearts.
In 1 Corinthians 15:17 we are told that without faith we are still in our sins.
Everything Comes Through Faith
I think we should be seeing a pattern appearing here. According to the Bible, not to me, but according to God’s Word – we can see these truths.
Without faith, we are still in our sins. We are saved through faith. Christians are required to walk in faith. Because of faith we are no longer under the law. Faith is required when we ask for wisdom. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and without faith it is impossible to please God!
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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.