Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
Faith is essential for intimacy with God because it forms the foundation of a deep, personal relationship with Him. Through faith, we trust in God’s character, promises, and love. Even when we can’t see or fully understand His plans or what He is doing.
It opens our hearts to experience His presence and guidance, strengthening our spiritual connection. Faith allows us to surrender our will to God, embrace His purpose for our lives, and rely on Him for wisdom, peace, and strength. Without faith, it becomes difficult to experience the fullness of God’s love and draw nearer to Him in a meaningful way.
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
Faith is vital to intimacy with God. The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. It clearly shows us that we must trust God and have faith in Him. You will not obey and follow someone who you do not trust.
Because God does not think or act like we do, we say that He works in “mysterious ways”. We will not understand many things that God is doing. We are not capable of understanding the things or ways of God unless He reveals them to us. Faith is not about understanding everything God is doing. It is trusting and following Him even though we do not understand what He is doing.
Faith is knowing that because of God’s perfect character and perfect faithfulness, He will do or give what He said or promised. The Bible calls a lack of faith having a hard, unbelieving heart. This type of hard unbelieving heart is not pleasing to God.
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
Trust And Faith Is Vital In Any Relationship
Faith and trust is vital in any relationship. Surely faith is vital to walk closely with God. It is one of the 8 keys for intimacy with God. You cannot have good intimate fellowship with God without faith and trust. Faith is vital to intimacy with God.
“But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.” – James 1:6-7
“Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. – James 2:21-23
“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.” – Hebrews 11:6
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
What Is Faith ?
Since faith is vital to walk closely with God, we need to understand what it is. It is not just about going to church. Or belonging to a certain religion or denomination. Or doing something for God occasionally. There is much more to it than this.
Here are some Bible verses about faith in God.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
More About Faith
“Real faith is not hoping to get what you want, but accepting what God gives you” – Adrian Rogers
“Faith is knowing God, and knowing that He is able to do what He says, and that He will do it.” – Henry Blackaby
What God says in His word is the truth. Not what you see in your circumstances or what you feel. Faith is not based on circumstances, or what you see or what you feel. In fact, many times our feelings or what we think we see or understand are often misleading. You need to learn to not put your trust in sight or feelings, and place your trust in God.
Jesus in John 14:6 said “I am the way, the Truth, and the life.” Truth is not a philosophy or a concept. Truth is a person – Jesus. Everything He says or promises is always Truth. He will always do or give what He says or promises.
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
There Are 3 Types Of Faith
- Little Faith – “I believe God can do it, but I am not sure He will”
- Strong Faith – “I believe God can do it, and I believe that He will”
- Perfect Faith – “It is already done” (Supernatural Faith)
Perfect Faith is not naturally in us. By nature we are doubters. It is difficult for us to fully and totally believe. Perfect “It is already done” Faith is placed into us by the Holy Spirit. It is a supernatural faith only the Holy Spirit can give us.
We Have No Faith Of Ourselves – It Is From God
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8
“The apostles said to the LORD, “Increase our faith!”. – Luke 17:5
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
Paul Had Supernatural Faith, Love, Devotion, And Passion For God
Paul was one of the most passionate followers and servants of God ever. He was completely devoted to Jesus. Even to the point of suffering a great deal for proclaiming the Gospel and serving Jesus. Paul eventually died because of his love and passion and faith in Jesus.
Where did Paul get his faith ? Where did his love and passion and devotion for Jesus come from ? He tells us in his first letter to Timothy.
The grace of our LORD was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”. – 1 Timothy 1:14
The same faith and love and devotion for God that Jesus displayed in His life on earth and death was poured into Paul. Paul fully acknowledged that his faith and devotion for Jesus did not come from within.
It Is The Object Of Our Faith (Jesus) That Brings Power To Our Prayers & Life
It is not the amount of faith that is important. It is the object of our faith that matters.
Jesus said “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, Be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it will obey you”- Luke 17:6
“Have faith in God.” – Mark 11:22
“Then Job replied to the LORD: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” – Job 42:1-2
Jesus needs to be the object of your faith. You can fully trust in Him and rely on Him. God is constantly at work in your heart and life, wanting you to become more like Jesus (see Romans 8:28-29).
God is also at times testing and “exercising” your faith, so that it will grow. He wants to bring you to the point where your faith goes from “Little Faith” to “Strong Faith” and then to “Perfect Faith”. The kind of faith that not only says “I believe God can and will do it”, but says “It is already done.” This kind offaith is vital to walk closely with God.
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
Faith Is Knowing That Jesus Has Power & Authority Over Everything
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” – Matthew 28:18
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” -Psalm 24:1
Everything in heaven and on earth belongs to God. He has full power and authority over everything. Even over demons and the enemy.
“Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.” – 1 Chronicles 29:11-13
“When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “LORD,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “LORD, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” – Matthew 8:5-10
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
Jesus Has Power & Authority Over All Things In Heaven & On Earth
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “LORD save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” – Matthew 8:23-27
“In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” – Luke 4:33-36
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
There Are Great Possibilities In “Believing Prayer”
1. “Believing Prayer” Can Move Mountains
Jesus said that there is no limit to what can be accomplished for God’s kingdom through believing prayer. Believing prayer is faith filled prayer
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ” – Mark 11:23-24
The mountains in Mark 11:23-24 are the insurmountable, impossible things in your life. They are the circumstances and challenges that are too difficult for you to handle. Your problems, your difficulties, your addictions, your bad habits, your sin…
Focus on God, the Mountain Mover, not on the mountains
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
More Great Possibilities With “Believing Prayer”
2. All Things Are Possible When We Have Faith
“If you can ?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief !.” – Mark 9:23-24
“I can do all this through him (Jesus) who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22.
Matthew 21:22 needs to be combined with 1 John 5:14-15 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”
This means that you will receive whatever you ask in prayer when you ask according to God’s will. Faith is trusting that God’s will is always best. And God’s will must always replace our own will. Perfect faith does not need to understand God’s will. It simply trusts that God’s will is always far better than our own will.
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
You cannot pray and live powerfully by faith unless you know God intimately. And have close fellowship with Him. The more you know God personally the more you will trust Him. And your faith will grow as you grow closer to God.
You need to be tuned in to God and one with His will in order to pray and live powerfully and victoriously. And you need to constantly maintain your right relationship and fellowship with God. God gave us an important tool for when we sin and interrupt our close fellowship with God.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
You also need to be one with God. One with God means having the same heart as God. And the same will, and desires, and passions as God. You must have faith and trust in God to fully surrender and fully follow Him.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one- I in them and you in me-so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. – John 17:20-23
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
You Will Experience God’s Power & Victories When You Are One With God
“Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” – John 14:10-14
Faith is vital to intimacy with God. And intimacy with God is vital to experiencing God’s great power and victories in your life. And in your ministry also.
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
Praying In Jesus’ Name Means Praying According To His Will
Praying in Jesus name is not simply something we throw in at the end of a prayer. It means that you are acknowledging that Jesus paid for the privilege of coming into the Father’s presence on the cross.
Praying in Jesus name also means that you are praying according to His will. And not seeking your own will and desires. It signifies that you are submitting to His will for the thing or situation you are praying for. And not insisting on getting your own way.
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. – Matthew 6:9-10
“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” – Luke 22:42
Jesus is our perfect example to follow. Jesus’ top priority was always His close fellowship with God the Father. And fulfilling God’s will and plans.
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
When we pray in Jesus’ name and according to God’s will, we can have great confidence. Confidence that God’s will is always best. And confidence that our prayers will be answered.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.” – I John 5:14,15
“In him (Jesus) and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” – Ephesians 3:12
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
Have Faith In God’s Perfect Faithfulness
Because of God’s perfect faithfulness, He will always do what He says and promises. It is God’s nature to always be faithful. God’s promises are actually guarantees, because of His perfect faithfulness. You can always depend on God to do what He says.
Find God’s promises in the Bible. There are thousands of them. And then claim them in Jesus’ name. They are yours to claim when you are in Christ.
“What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” – Isaiah 46”11
“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it?” – Number 23:19
God will always do what He says. Every promise that He has made in His word He will fulfill. Every plan that He has made and announced will come true. Because God not only is faithful, but He is perfectly faithful. Thus His promises are actually guarantees.
Faith Is Vital To Intimacy With God
You Need To Walk By Faith, Not By Sight or By Feelings/Emotions
Do you live by sight ? Or do you live by feelings and emotions ? The problem with living by sight is that your circumstances will constantly change over time. And many times your interpretation of your circumstances will be incorrect. In difficult times it is hard to see and understand the good that God is trying to bring about.
Living by feelings is not the way to walk closely with God either. Your feelings will be misleading. During hard times your feelings will tell you that God has abandoned you. But God promises to never leave you or forsake you.
“for we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
Walking by faith and not by sight or feelings comes as you experience God in your life. Your faith needs to be exercised, just as your muscles do. As God allows difficult circumstances into your life, He will try to teach you to walk by faith. Remember “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1
The “assurance” of things hoped for, and the “evidence” of things not seen is God’s prefect character and faithfulness. And who God is. As you seek God and as you walk with God through the circumstances in your life, He will reveal His character to you. And you will know Him, not just know about Him.
Pursuing Intimacy With God
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Other Links
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Is Jesus Your First Love ? Part 2
Prayer Is Passion To Seek & Know God
God’s Purpose & Mission For You And Your Church
Spiritual Gifts: All Christians Have Gifts
Jesus Wants To Heal You & Set You Free
Salvation & The Gospel Of Jesus Christ
The Kind of Christian & Church God Wants
Kevin Bart has been a follower of Jesus for over 40 years. Kevin has taught Bible study classes, small groups, and discipleship classes for many years. He developed Pursuing Intimacy With God Bible studies website and book after many years of seeking God and studying His word. Kevin and his wife Nancy have 3 sons and 2 precious grandchildren.
Kevin is a former business owner, and current international missions ministry leader with more than four decades of combined business and ministry experience. After building and running a successful business for 23 years, with God’s guidance and blessings, he sold his company to dedicate himself to full-time global missions.
For over 20 years, Kevin and his wife Nancy have led a self funded international missions ministry. Utilizing learned business and financial management skills, as well as knowledge and experience in travel points and miles, to date they have had more than 5o mission trips to 36 countries in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
After many years of studying the Bible and the Book of Revelation, and writing many Bible studies and articles, Kevin finally finished Unraveling The Mysteries of the Book Of Revelation. Hopefully it will be a blessing to many people.
