Many Christians today have faith with no results, and that is so sad. James gave some insight as to why this is so. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:17). Many people claim to have faith, but what kind of faith do they have? Only divine faith brings results, but you have to use it if you want to see those results.

Jesus asked the disciples, Where is your faith (Luke 8:25)? He knew they had faith because the Bible declares, God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:3). The problem was that the disciples were not using their faith because they let fear take them over, so they didn’t get anything done. It is the same way with people today—they won’t use what God has given them.

If you don’t have any works to go along with your faith, you have dead faith; and that kind of faith does not reach the throne of God. In times of crisis, dead faith won’t work for you; and it won’t be able to lead you through your deepest valleys and your darkest nights.

Faith gives you a direct line to the throne of God any time of the day or night, so you can call Jesus any time. Just say, “Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus”; and immediately, you will be connected with the throne. The blood has made Heaven so close to children of God that the Bible says, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Men of Great Faith

We are to have the faith of God. Why would you want anything less when you can have the best? The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is known as the faith chapter, and it is not written about people who had dead faith.

By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones (Hebrews 11:22). By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward (Hebrews 11:24-26). Joseph and Moses could not have done those wonderful works with dead faith.

Abraham had amazing faith, and he showed it by his works. God had promised Abraham and his wife, Sarah, a son even though they were up in years. They had to wait twenty-five years for that promise to be fulfilled, but they held onto God’s promise through faith; and Isaac was born.

When Isaac was a boy, God told Abraham to offer his son as a burnt offering unto Him. Would Abraham obey such a request from God? Yes. God had told Abraham that He would multiply his seed through Isaac, and Abraham believed God; so he knew that if he offered his son, God would raise him up because God does not lie. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure (Hebrews 11:17-19).

Abraham had live faith, and he used it. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God (James 2:22,23).

Read of others mentioned in Hebrews 11, and you will see what live faith did for those precious saints of God. They were heroes of the faith, and they are examples to us of what God can do when we will use live faith. Dead faith never has and never will do any of those wonderful things.

Faith Claims God’s Promises

God’s Word is full of promises; but as with Abraham, only through live faith and patience can you inherit those promises. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12). All of God’s promises are His intended inheritance for each of His children, but you can’t be slow or careless about claiming them. Unfortunately, many people are slow to use faith because they live by their feelings. There is only dead faith in feelings, and feelings will prevent you from claiming God’s promises.

God’s promises are a pledge of assurance of what He will and will not do, and that is the greatest kind of assurance ever. The promises are the mind of God for you; and through faith, you can receive them all. However, sometimes there is a period of waiting and proving before a promise is fulfilled, and that is where divine patience comes in. During times of trouble, it is easy to give into your feelings because that is the easiest route for the flesh to take; but live faith will wait on God for deliverance without one bit of doubt.

Noah had and used live faith to obey God and build an ark, even though he didn’t know how and everyone thought he was crazy. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith (Hebrews 11:7).

Faith Brings Miracles

I say again that it isn’t enough to have faith. That faith has to work for you, or it is dead; so you must bury that dead faith once and for all. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works (James 2:18). Your works will prove that you have faith in God.

You may claim to have all kinds of faith, but there is only one kind of faith that will do the work—divine faith. That is the kind of faith the Holy Spirit uses to work with us and for us. He cannot work with dead faith. The Holy Spirit has come to be your helper, your guide and your teacher; and He can only do those things through live faith.

James said, “Show me your faith.” It is wonderful for people to see the works of God through a child of God; and if you have God’s faith, it will work. When I was a child, I saw the works of God week after week in my home because my family had live, Jesus faith; and they used it. When one of the children got sick, Mama prayed for us before she did anything else; and we had many miracles and healings in our home. Her prayers were stronger than any medicine.

Jesus said, These signs shall follow them that believe...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover (Mark 16:17,18). That was a way of life for me as a young boy. I saw God’s people lay hands on the sick, and they got well.

Early one morning, my mother was in a dying condition with pneumonia. It looked like Mama would take her last breath at any time. Then a true man of God came to our house and prayed for her, and she was healed instantly through live faith. As soon as the preacher left, she got out of bed and went to the kitchen to make breakfast for her family. No one would have ever known she had been sick, let alone at death’s door. I was just a sinner at the time, but I knew God had done that. It was the work of live faith.

Prayers of Faith

When you pray, pray with live faith. There is no need to try and pray if you are praying with dead faith. Dead faith only goes as high as your physical voice reaches, but live faith will take your prayers right to the throne of God; and you will get answers.

If your prayers are not being answered, you need to find out why. God’s faith reaches Him, so what kind of faith are you using when you pray? Perhaps you are praying for something that is not God’s will, or you are not willing for His will to be done. You have to be willing for your faith to work like God wants it to if you want to receive answers to your prayers. God wants to answer our prayers; but many times, we won’t accept God’s faith daily and use it like we should. God’s faith has to be used.

Some people say, “I believe there is a God, and I have faith.” But James said, Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (James 2:19). You haven’t gone beyond what devils believe with that kind of faith, and it will not get you anywhere. God is real to devils in a judging way, but God must be real to you in a loving, caring way. There is a big difference between the two. Your very flesh may tremble in the presence of God through the power of the Holy Spirit because of the live faith working on the inside of you, but you won’t tremble in fear.

Do Wonderful Works of God

You have to get rid of any dead faith you have because dead faith and live faith won’t mix. You will have one or the other. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead (James 2:20)? Does your faith work for you and for others? You must have a solid foundation of faith that saves, heals and delivers. That is the faith of God.

God’s faith does all kinds of wonderful works through human beings. We have already learned that a believer with faith in God can lay hands on the sick, and they will get well. Jesus said that in His name, believers can also cast out devils. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils (Mark 16:17).

Some churches don’t believe in the casting out of devils or in miracles and healings because they have dead faith. Miracles and healings are the wonderful works of faith; and the Bible declares, The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up (James 5:15).

God only gives live faith; and when He does, He also gives you His heart, His mind and His greatness. He wants you to be His hands, His eyes and His ears. God wants you to work for Him and do the same works as His Only Begotten Son did when He was on Earth because when you are saved, you become a child of God. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16,17). We are made sons and daughters of God through the divine blood of Jesus.

Where Is Your Faith?

And when he [Jesus] was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm (Matthew 8:23-26).

Jesus was asking, “Where is the faith I have given you? I am so disappointed in you!” The disciples had faith, but it wasn’t live faith. They were not alive in the Spirit, and you have to stay alive in the Spirit to use the faith of God. The Lord should never have to ask you, “Where is your faith?”

Thomas had walked and talked with Jesus, but the only faith he had was dead faith. That shows that just being with Jesus and being blessed by Him does not mean you have live faith. After Jesus was resurrected, He showed Himself to the disciples; but Thomas was not there. He was off to himself pouting saying, “It is over and done. We were deceived, and Jesus is dead.”

Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe (John 20:24,25). Jesus was no longer there to use faith for Thomas, so it was time for Thomas to use the faith the Lord had given him; but he didn’t do that. He had dead faith and no works.

And after eight days again his [Jesus’] disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:26-29). We all must believe to see and not see to believe.

Results of Dead Faith

Dead faith will tell you that Jesus is dead and has not been resurrected. It will tell you that the Holy Ghost didn’t come from Heaven as Jesus said He would. I [Jesus] will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you (John 14:16,17). The Father sent the Holy Ghost from Heaven to fill every vessel that is emptied of sin and self and ready to be filled up with Him.

Dead faith does not do anything glorious or wonderful. It does not carry a burden for the lost or pray for them to come to Calvary. It doesn’t preach a live Gospel or tell of the greatness of the blood. Dead faith will tell you that joining a church and being baptized in water make you a fit citizen for Heaven; but the Bible says, Ye must be born again (John 3:7). Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:3). If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

We must live by the faith of God found in His holy Word. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). The Word will give you divine strength and the greatness of God. You don’t need to be cast down and have no works or answers to your prayers. You must be working to help win souls, and you will when you have the faith of God. That faith has no prejudice; it loves all people.

Dead faith is full of criticism. It grumbles and complains, and it doesn’t bring results. People with dead faith gossip instead of speaking words of edification. They have nothing to say that will encourage people, help them or inspire them. You should avoid being around people who have dead faith unless you have no other choice, and you will know those who have dead faith by their works and their fruits.

Dead faith gets no results, and the Lord will have nothing to do with your dead faith. If that is what you have, the Holy Spirit won’t help you or use you to do the work of the Lord. People have treated God horribly because they have let the devil give them a counterfeit for live faith.

The Early Church Had Live Faith

In the beginning of the Church, the disciples had live faith; they used it, and it worked. Even the laypeople became ministers of the Gospel, and they got results. Many people were receiving the message of Jesus Christ and being healed. But the word of God grew and multiplied (Acts 12:24). And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7). Faith did all of that.

Through faith, those disciples preached the Word. Through faith, they used the name of Jesus, the Word and the Holy Ghost; and they got the job done. Dead faith will not serve the true Word of God, but live faith always gives the truth in love.

The faith those Early Church disciples had would not compromise. Stephen even put his life on the line for the sake of Christ because he had live faith and no spirit of compromise. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen (Acts 6:8,9).

Those people hated what Stephen was doing, so they lied about him and set up false witnesses against him; but Stephen wouldn’t back down. They got people so stirred up against Stephen that they dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death; but before he died, he said, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:60). Stephen died with the same spirit of forgiveness that Jesus had.

Live Faith Does Many Works

One of the nine fruits of the Spirit is faith. It is produced within by the Holy Spirit; and as you use it, it increases on the inside of you. Live faith carries the evangelistic spirit that Jesus had when He walked on Earth. Jesus said, This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations (Matthew 24:14).

The Gospel must be preached with the faith of God. Then the Lord will confirm it with signs, wonders, miracles and healings. The Lord only confirms the works of live faith. Through His holy Word, He brings about holy works as His holy faith works through human beings.

Faith is a gift from God, and the Lord would never give you something that is dead. He didn’t give you dead love, dead joy or dead peace; so He won’t give you dead faith either. Everything the Lord gives is full of life. The [live] joy of the LORD is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Divine faith will move every mountain for you and take you before the throne of God. The Bible tells us to contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3). That kind of faith cannot be defeated.

Live faith has such a strong voice that even children can hear it, and it will touch them again and again. It tells them the truths of God, and they won’t be able to get away from them. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).

Live faith helps people. It shows them the right way and encourages them. It lifts up fallen ones and helps people pray through to the Holy Ghost. That is why faith with no results is worse than any deadly disease. It is destructive and has sent many people to hell.

Faith and the Holy Ghost

Live faith tells you that you need the Holy Ghost to be your comforter, teacher and guide; but dead faith tells you it isn’t necessary to have Him. When Jesus was on Earth, He commanded the disciples to receive the Holy Ghost. And, [Jesus] being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me (Acts 1:4). The Holy Ghost gives you power for service and power to do wonderful works for the Lord.

The Early Church disciples obeyed Christ’s command; and on the Day of Pentecost, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4). Live faith will never deny that divine utterance.

There are many evidences of the Holy Ghost, but the first evidence is speaking in tongues. It is the Holy Spirit Himself speaking through a human being. If you have live faith, you agree with that; but if you have dead faith, you will disagree. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost was speaking in different tongues and languages; and the people declared, We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11).

Use Live Faith

Dead faith says there is no need to go to Calvary. It tells you that you don’t need to fast and pray; but Jesus said, This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). He also said, But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days (Mark 2:20). Jesus was speaking of Himself as the Bridegroom.

Are you a disciple of Jesus today? If you have His faith and His love, then you are His disciple; and you will have His wonderful works. They will flow through you, and people will see that you are walking in the steps of Jesus.

Faith in God heals the sick and saves people through the blood Jesus brought from Heaven almost 2000 years ago. It was divine blood, and it can never be destroyed. That blood is still available today, and it brings you live faith and wonderful, godly works. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [more] works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father (John 14:12). How will you do those works?—with live faith and divine love.

Don’t look at people around you who may claim to have the Lord but really have dead faith and no works. Don’t look at churches where there are no signs, wonders, miracles or healings. If Jesus had come with dead faith, we never would have heard about Him; but thank God, He had live faith. That is why the blind received their sight; the deaf heard, and the crippled walked.

Faith to Be Saved

The call of faith from Heaven is going forth today to all who will listen. Faith hears the voice of the Lord through the Word, through the Spirit and in many other ways. If you don’t have live faith today, the Lord will deliver it to you. He is giving it to those who will yield to the blood of Jesus and have their sins washed away. As I mentioned at the beginning of this message, God gives everyone a measure of faith to find Calvary in the first place.

If you have any doubts about Calvary, look to the Lord and say, “Lord, give me the faith to believe your Word.” God will give you that measure of faith, but you have to want it. The Lord will never force anything on anyone, but He freely offers all of divinity to those who will receive.

If you are unsaved, come to Jesus today. Pray with me now: Oh, God, save my soul. Forgive me of all of my sins. I am sorry, Lord, that I sinned against you, but I have come home; and I am going to serve you the rest of my life. I believe the blood of Jesus washes away all of my sins. Come on in, Jesus! Come on in!

If you meant that prayer, Jesus is yours. Start praying, reading your Bible and spending time in His presence. Bible fasting will also help you. Then you must go on to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. You will never make it in this life or be ready for Jesus’ return without Him.

Faith for a Miracle

Some people think God is not performing miracles today. They claim to be Christians, but their prayers get no results; and they don’t believe people are being healed today. They think that was only for Bible days, but the Word says Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Praise God forevermore!

You may be sick or afflicted today, but you have that God-given faith; and if you will use it, you can have a miracle, a healing or deliverance from any bondage. You may have AIDS, leprosy, cancer, diabetes, paralysis, heart trouble or any other type of affliction. The Bible says, With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). That means you can definitely be healed of anything. Are you ready?

Lord, I bring the sick and afflicted to you. Lay a healing hand on them right now. In the name of your Son, Jesus, I curse their diseases of AIDS, cancer, heart trouble and paralysis. It doesn’t matter what is wrong with them because you have all power to make them whole. Heal! in the blood name of Jesus. Heal! through your mighty miracle power in the divine blood of Jesus.

The Bible declares, With his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). God’s miracle power is flowing through you right now. Only believe and decide you are going to get well. When your miracle is complete, tell us about it. You can write, email or leave a message on social media. We will rejoice with you and share the good news with others.