Though salvation is by grace, we must always remember that it is through faith (Eph 2:8). Having understood grace as unmerited favour from God, it is possible to conclude that, since it is the finished work of Christ, we are not required to do anything, but to expect the automatic manifestation of the benefits of salvation in our lives. However, we need to know that no manifestation of Divine blessings is automatic. We must exercise faith in order to enjoy any blessing of salvation we desire.
    One of the most tragic things recorded in the Bible is found in Mark’s gospel chapter 6 verses 5 and 6, “Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.” The embodiment of salvation and the personification of grace Himself “could do no mighty work there”. Why? Was it because there was no need for mighty work there? The very reference to its lack thereof, in spite of the presence of Jesus there,  alludes to the dire necessity of mighty work in His home-town. Was it because it was not God’s will to do mighty work among the people there? If that were the case, the Bible would not mention it. The correct answer to both questions, therefore, is an emphatic no.
    The reason why Jesus could do no mighty work in His home town was because of UNBELIEF.  The Scripture reference above says, “…He marveled because of their unbelief…”. The Greek word translated ‘unbelief’ in this verse of Scripture is ‘apistia’, which means ‘faithlessness’. His kinsmen demonstrated a lack of faith in Jesus, because of their familiarity with His upbringing. To their tragic loss, they missed a great opportunity to benefit from all God had provided for them in Jesus. What this implies is that many whose lives required the mighty work of God to continue, died prematurely. Likewise, many, whose ugly circumstances needed mighty work to turn around, languished. In fact, the Bible says that Jesus marveled. He must have wondered how a people could have be so potentially blessed and yet not enjoyed it.
    The Biblical account above, further reinforces the truth that for anyone to experience salvation by grace, he or she needs to demonstrate faith. The reason for this is that the grace of God which brings salvation can be activated only by faith. God’s grace is actually His power to produce salvation. Account after account in the Bible proves this assertion. For instance, to the  woman had been healed of the issue of blood (a condition that had lasted for twelve years), Jesus said: “Daughter, your faith has made you well…”(Mk 5:34). Yet, the Bible says in an earlier verse (vs 30) “And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”.” Though it was God’s power that had healed the woman, Jesus commended her faith, for having activated it.
    Someone may say, “But faith is a gift from God”. That is indisputable, because the Bible says, “…God has dealt to each one a measure of faith (Rom 12:3). But He expects us to use the measure of faith He has given us. In fact, there is nothing we can get from God apart from faith, for the Bible says, “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.” (Heb 11:6). How do you,then, exercise faith in order to activate God’s grace (His power)?
    Firstly, you need to find out what God’s word (the Bible) says concerning the aspect of salvation by grace you desire to experience. If it is healing, for example, you will need to find out what promises of God cover it. You can exercise faith effectively, only when you know God’s will about what you seek to receive from Him. The Bible says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2Pet 1:3). Remember, there is nothing left out of ‘everything’. This implies that whatever it is, as long as we need it for life and godliness, God’s power or grace has provided it for us. But in order for us to know what exactly His power has given us, God has, equally, given us His very great and precious promises. Therefore search the Scriptures to find out those promises.
    Secondly, having found Scripture references that promise God’s will and commitment to meet that need, in particular, meditate on them diligently, until they ignite your heart, until they cease to be just ink and paper and become life and reality to you. This is what Proverbs 4:22, in reference to God’s words, means by saying, “For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.” Campbell Mc Alpine has defined meditation as: “the devotional practice of pondering the words of a verse, or verses of Scripture, with a receptive heart, allowing the HolyGhost to take the written word and apply it as living Word to the inner being.” It is beyond the scope of this article to deal, in detail, with the benefits of this practice. Suffice it to say that meditating on Scripture references that speak to your needs will produce assurance in your heart.
    Thirdly, ask God specifically for what you desire, based on His promises. I want to emphasize that your request should be specific. Vague requests are usually not granted, because they do not express faith and are too general to satisfy. In addition, believe you have received from the moment you ask. This is one of those areas that prove difficult for people, who, in this case, may wonder how on earth they are to believe that they have received something they have neither seen nor felt. Well, God, who knows everything says,” Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mk 11:23). We do not receive from God by sight or feelings but by faith. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2Cor 5:7).
    Finally, praise and give thanks to God for the answer. Do this in expectation of the manifestation of what you have asked and received from God by faith. The unequivocal assurance Jesus has given, when you have met the conditions above, as your response of faith, for any salvation-by-grace based need, is,”…and you will have them.” (Mk 11:23) Shalom.