Faith is something that is so vital to the believer, in fact, you cannot enter the Kingdom of God without faith. On the other hand, it is common for people to get wrapped up in mental ascent. When someone only applies mental ascent to the Word of God all they do is mentally agree with the Word of God. However, the Bible makes it clear that we must mix faith with the Word of God. Mental ascent will come out of a place of academia, where all one will do is just familiarize themselves with the facts of Scripture, but the Word of God never truly soaks into their heart.
Many Christians think that in order to be in a ministry you must go to seminary or Bible college, however, none of the Apostles of the early church went to seminary. Let me be clear I believe educational training has its place, however, many think that is the only way to be qualified. In Acts 4:13 (NLT) it says, “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”. Notice it says the Apostles Peter and John were ordinary men with no special training according to Jewish tradition. The Jewish leaders at that time were well trained in the Old Testament Scriptures. However, Peter and John had everything they needed. Of course, they were alongside Jesus during His earthly ministry, but they also received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the believer’s power source for every good work. The Holy Spirit will help us understand the Word of God so that our faith can be built.
Every believer regardless of their educational background can walk in a great level of faith. Hebrews 4:2 (NASB) tells us, “For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also did; but the word they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who listened with faith.”. This is talking about the people in the wilderness in the Old Testament, they heard the promises of God regarding the promised land, but the message did them no good because they had no faith. They only mentally agreed with it which resulted in them being moved by their circumstances. This is why we need to be full of faith so that when circumstances tell us otherwise we are not moved.
Hebrews 11:1 (NET) tells us, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.”. We must be fully convinced of what God’s Word says. Jesus made a bold statement about faith in Mark 11:23 (ESV), “Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”. Please take note He says we must “not doubt in our heart”. You can have doubts mentally, but you cannot have doubts in your heart. Human standards might tell you it is impossible, but you must take heart to the Word of God like it is so.
I pray this encourages you and stirs your faith. Continue to seek God daily and meditate upon His Word. Ask God to give you a greater measure of faith and to help your unbelief. Every time you get into the Word ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your understanding. God is faithful!