FAITH

Posted on August 20, 2014 by touchingheavenministries

 

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.“ (Hebrews 11:6)

GOD applies salvation with regeneration and in justification be energizing faith in the believer. Faith is the channel through which GOD’s grace flows. It is the means by which grace is appropriated. Faith brings delight to GOD and salvation to mankind. By faith GOD is perceived and in faith the believer is pardoned.

There are three virtues: “Faith, Hope, and Love”. Only love remains eternal. Faith is that virtue making GOD’s love eternal in salvation. Both believing faith and saving grace are gifts from GOD.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of GOD, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.” (Romans 5:15)

Faith is that capacity of the human heart by which the nature of GOD, the gift of salvation and the eternal purposes of the Almighty are understood. Faith is embedded in hope and is the predecessor to sight. It envisions the impossible and accepts the incredible. Faith is uniquely a human capacity but is naturally rejected by the heart because of sin. Faith is the only key that will unlock the release of making from the condemnation for his sin and that will grant eternal salvation.

THE NEED FOR FAITH

The first time the word faith is used in Scripture it is spoked by Moses as he quotes GOD’s evaluation of Israel.

“And GOD said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.” (Deuteronomy 32:20)

The Lord Jesus also described Hes generation as having no faith:

“And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in GOD.” (Mark 11:22)

The lack of faith results in the unlikeness of GOD and in the unhappiness of people:

A.)   Inability to live life with meaning… 

“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of GOD, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

B.)   Fear in life… 

“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.” (Matt. 8:26)

C.)   Suffering and illness… 

“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:15)

D.)   Doubt and uncertainty… 

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, yeshall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed , and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.” (Matthew 21:21)

E.)   Worry and anxiety… 

“And He said unto His disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and GOD feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then GOD so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (Luke 12:22-28)

F.)   Weakness and loss of strength… 

“And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3:16)

G.)   Hatred and absence of love… 

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6)

H.)   Hopelessness… 

“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of                                                   righteousness by faith.” (Galatians 5:5)

I.)   Insecurity and shyness… 

“In whom we have boldness and access with                                              confidence by the faith of Him.” (Ephesians 3:12)

J.)   Joylessness… 

“And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith.” (Philippians 1:25)

K.)   Loss of assurance… 

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,                          having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies          washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22)

L.)   Lostness toward GOD… (Ephesians 2:8) 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of GOD.” (Ephesians 2:8)

THE NATURE OF FAITH

There are three kinds of faith:

A.)  Factual Faith: This form of faith depends on historic or scientific data. It is a trust in what is evident or seen. Every person has this kind of faith. Seeing is believing. Jesus said that Thomas had this kind of faith.  Jesus saith unto him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed….” (John 20:29)

B.)  Temporary Faith:  The faith is flawed because it does not last. It flares up quickly but fails to endure. “Yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” (Matthew 13:21) Judas probably had temporary faith even though he was a disciple, chosen and commissioned. He preached and participated in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout Israel but wavered in his faith and betrayed the Lord, this can be found in Matthew chapter 10.

C.)  Saving Faith: Called “the operation of GOD” (Colossians 2:12), saving faith “justifies and redeems the believer” (Romans 10:17). It is more than an acknowledgement of the facts or the recognition of GOD as Savior. The demons “believed” and testified that “Jesus was the Son of GOD” (Matthew 8:29). This faith, however, moves beyond an initial response and an understanding of truth to commitment, “… for obedience to the faith…” as found in Romans 1:5.

1.)   The Source of Faith:  The Word of GOD, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of GOD.” (Romans 10:17) “Many heard the Word and believed.” (Acts 4:4) These Scriptures are the means by which GOD draws faith from the believer. GOD’s inerrant Word communicates the completely adequate message to man. The truth from GOD about mankind’s need for salvation and GOD’s free offer of grace is mediated by the Word. Faith is born from the seed of the Word. Faith grows as it feeds on the Word. Faith is established and continues steadfastly by the Word.

2.) The Substance of Faith:  The formation of two responses by the believer:

a.)  First is Acknowledgement:  To trust in GOD for salvation is to distrust in mankind’s ability to save himself. GOD’s righteousness can be appreciated only when compared to mankind’s unrighteousness… “Not having mine own righteousness,” Paul confessed in Philippians 3:9. Faith recognizes the personal obligation of sin and in repentance turns from it… “… yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life whichI now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God“ (Galatians 2:20). The return to GOD begins with the recognition of the sinner’s offense to GOD. Jesus explains it in the parable of the prodigal son,  “And when he came to himself, he said , How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father,and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  And he arose , and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off , his father saw him, and had compassion , and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” (Luke 15:17-21). In the loss to self-confidence in any ability to save himself, the stirrings of salvation begin. The sinner turns in faith to GOD, who alone can save. (See Acts 4:12; 16:31)

b.) Appropriation is the second response of faith in salvation. “He love me and He gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Acknowledgement recognizes that “Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). But appropriation says, “GOD commended His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Saving faith receives GOD’s gift of eternal life. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become the sons of GOD” (John 1:12). Thomas said, “My Lord, my GOD” (John 20:28). The source of faith is the Word of GOD. The substance of faith is action.

Seeking the face of GOD
His Always
Bishop JD Sparks
Touching Heaven Ministries