One night as I was reading my Bible, I noticed something very interesting about the teachings of Jesus. He wasn’t like the Pharisees and Sadducees who taught legalism and bondage to the laws of man. When Jesus taught, He taught healing, freedom from bondage and eternal life. Jesus taught good news. Jesus taught faith.
According to the Bible, Jesus went from village to village throughout Israel, preaching the gospel. Now, what’s the gospel? The word gospel, when correctly translated into English, simply means good news. Jesus proclaimed the good news of God everywhere He went. What is the good news? Well, it’s this. You can be set free. You can be healed. You can be prosperous. You can live a good life.
People came to Jesus hungry and they left fed. People came to Jesus sick and deformed and they left healed. People came to Jesus deep in sin and bondage and they left totally set free.
But let me ask you this. Was everyone who lived in Israel healed? Was leprosy completely wiped out? No, of course not.
Some people in Israel were still in bondage to sin, poverty and illness. But why? Why wasn’t everyone healed? Well, here’s the reason. Some believed and some didn’t. Without belief, there is no faith. Without faith, God is not pleased. Without belief in your heart, God’s promises do not apply to you.
In Hebrews chapter 4, the Bible talks about two groups of people who heard the gospel or the good news. It says, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”
Isn’t that interesting? Both groups of people heard the gospel. Both groups heard the Word. But only one group profited from the gospel and that group was the group that had faith.
It takes faith to move God. God never responds positively to doubt and unbelief. He only responds to faith.
All through the Bible and all through the ministry of Jesus, we find that when the people believed, they received. When they believed in destruction, they were destroyed. When they believed in salvation, that’s what they got. As Christians, we must believe the gospel. We must believe the good news of God’s Word.
In John 8:31-32 Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
God is a good God. He has good things for those who believe. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” And Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Did you catch that? God rewards those who have faith and diligently seek Him. Is a reward good? Of course it is. That’s why people return things for a reward. If a reward were bad, nothing would ever be returned.
So, remember this. The gospel, the Word of God is good news and all the promises recorded in the Word of God apply to you, if you believe.
Without faith, the gospel will not profit you.
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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.