When the Hedge Is Lifted—Will Your Faith Stand?

 

Faith cannot be inherited. Learn from Job’s story why only a personal relationship with Christ can save you.

In Job 2:6, we read:

“And the Lord said to Satan, Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”

This is one of the most sobering verses in the Bible for me. Notice what God did not say. He did not tell Satan, “spare his wife,” or “spare his children.” No—He said, “only spare his life.”

That reality should shake us: Job was a man of prayer, sacrifice, and intercession for his children. He would rise early and offer sacrifices, saying, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” (Job 1:5). Job was a righteous father who did everything in his power to cover his household.

Yet when the trial came, God only gave Satan a limit concerning Job—not his family. Why? Because salvation and relationship with God cannot be borrowed. Each soul must meet God personally.

Faith Cannot Be Inherited

We live in a world where it is easy to lean on our parents’ faith, our church traditions, or even our pastor’s prayers. But as powerful as those intercessions are, they cannot replace a personal walk with God.

Quote:

“You young people, don’t just take what your mama said, what your papa said. That’s all right; they’re trying to live right. But you, you’ve got to have an experience yourself. Don’t rest until you’ve talked to Him, till you know Him as your Savior.”

(Message Title: I Perceive You Are a Prophet, Paragraph 32, William Marrion Branham)

Job’s children were blessed to have a father who prayed, but when judgment came, they were not spared. This is a wake-up call: your parents can pray for you, your pastor can intercede for you, but only your own relationship with Christ will keep you when the enemy strikes.

The Danger of Borrowed Faith

It is possible to live off borrowed faith for a while—coming to church because of family, repeating prayers because you were taught to, or living morally because it is expected. But borrowed faith has no roots. The storms of life will reveal whether your faith is your own or just an inheritance.

Quote:

 “Don’t never forget, young folks, remember this: You must have a experience for yourself. Don’t you never forget that. You must be born again. You can’t inherit it from papa, mama, church, or anything; you’ve got to have it yourself. That’s one thing you must have.”

(Message Title : An Absolute, Paragraph 47, William Marrion Branham)

That is why the enemy fights young people so hard—because he knows that until you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior, you are vulnerable.

The Final Call

Your parents’ tears cannot save you. Your pastor’s prayers cannot save you. The church register cannot save you. Only a personal encounter with the Living Christ will.

Quote:

“Don’t wait for papa’s religion, mama’s religion. They could be fine people, but you’ve got to have your own. You’ve got to meet God yourself. Each man, woman, boy, and girl has to stand on their own confession of faith in Christ, or be lost.”

(Message Title: A Court Trial, Paragraph 54, William Marrion Branham)

This is not a game—it is life or death. Eternity is too long to gamble with borrowed faith.

Conclusion: Choose Life Today

When God spoke to Satan about Job, He said, “Only spare his life.” That life—your life—is what matters. Your parents’ faith may inspire you, your pastor’s prayers may guide you, but only your own decision to have a personal relationship with God will save you.

Philippians 2:12 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;”

2 Peter 1:10 – “Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,”

James 2:26 – “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”

The question is simple: Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

Not a church membership. Not religion. Not a family inheritance. Not just good morals. But a living, daily walk with the Savior who died for you.

Friend, don’t wait another day. Fall to your knees, confess your sins, and invite Him into your heart. Make your faith personal, make it real, and make it now.

Because when the hedge is lifted, and the test comes—it will be your faith alone that stands.

This is the reality I impress on my own children daily: that they cannot live on my prayers or my walk with God. They must seek Him, know Him, and serve Him for themselves. And the same is true for you.

Faith cannot be borrowed—it must be your own.