Brothers and sisters in the Lord. Faith is not simply a basic or even an in depth knowledge of the purpose of God.
It is a strong impelling force that motivates an individual to harmonise his actions with God's purpose.
Faith has to be closely followed by works. The apostle James emphasised that faith needs to be supported by actions. As faith without works is tagged as dead.
James went on to show that there is a major difference between just believing and exercising faith.
He mentioned that the demons know about the existence of God. Infact they believe. However, they posses no faith. -( james 2:19, 20)
On the other hand, James spoke about Abraham a man of true faith. Whose faith was clearly seen when he left his hometown and went to a distant unknown land at God's direction. He was also very willing to offer up his son at God's direction. - (James 2:21-23)
Abraham had solid faith. He exersiced this faith in God and his promises by his actions.
The point here is that faith has to be suported by works.
For example, if a person claims to have faith in God's means to save mankind, he will in turn be moved to publisize the gospel to others.
Romans 10:9,10
For if you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.
Our hope of eternal life by means of Christ Jesus depends on keeping our faith strong.
The title of this post is "Exersise faith in your heart".
That word 'exersice' involves constant and progressive effort.
To illustrate,
the need for us to constantly maintain faith that is healthy can be compared to plants need for moisture.
When compared to an artificial plant, a live plant continues to change, either progressively or otherwise.
A living plant will either grow pale and wither if deprived of water or will keep thriving due to a sufficient supply of water.
As a matter of fact, a plant that was healthy at one time can wither and die if denied a healthy supply of water. Similarly, our faith will wither and evantually die if it is not strengthened regularly.
At this point, it is only appropriate that we read Luke 22:32
But I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out; and you, once you have returned, strengthen your brothers.
We should give our faith the neccesarry attention and strengthen our faith by reading God's word the bible daily and praying regularly.
Apostle John spoke about the importance of exercising faith when he said
The one who exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life; the one who disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.
John 3:36
If we work hard to strengthen out faith, we can be sure that our faith will not wither, but will continue to grow as we await the presence of our Lord.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God well.
Hebrews 11:6.