Though we are born with the adamic sinful nature, God still gives us the ability to have real faith in Him. We are given a measure of faith and if it is nurtured by our choice and will, it will grow into a life saving power that will transform us into the image of Christ. This is the purpose of faith. It is not to heap upon ourselves pleasures and comforts that come from this world, but to willingly die to them so the life of Christ may be manifested in us.
True faith is a pure trust in the Lord, that He will DO as He has promised. The fruit of this complete trust is obediance or submission to God's will, you cannot seperate the two. It is a trust that we can abandon ourselves to Him and trust that He will work everything out according to His will. His known will is to transform us into His image at whatever the cost might be to our natural life.
"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." - (Romans 5:2-5)
Faith (or trust) will remind us of His grace and mercy that says He will not allow more on us than we can handle, (1 Corinthians 10:13). This faith does not need to pray to be relieved of the trials and tribulations that come our way, but it will pray as the Lord prayed, "Not my will, but thy will be done" as these are necessary tools that will put to death the old sinful nature, the body of flesh we were born with. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." - (1 Peter 4:12-13) "...and we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." - (Acts 14:22b)
Faith will cause us not to look at the situation or trouble that has come our way, but will look to Christ and His guidance in it and will trust in Him to work out His plan in us in all that comes our way.
For those that are committed to the Lord are no longer their own, but they are the possession of the Lord and as such, are no longer subject to the "natural" course and events of the world; there are no longer any "accidents" in their lives, for everything comes under the powerful, watchful care of the Lord and His dictates. The only thing that can move us away from this complete care of the Lord is our willful decision to have our way rather than the His. But as we submit to His providences in pure trust, we can see His hand in it and will see more of His Life being revealed in us through these "crosses" and one day will be able to say with Paul... "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - (Galatians 2:20)
