Our final discussions on the above topic will focus on faith. Although the apostle Paul explained faith succinctly, the confusion between hope, belief, trust and faith remain unresolved. We pray to the Holy Spirit to teach us to understand his word in Christ Jesus.
What is biblical faith?
Faith is simply an unwavering stand in God irrespective of the circumstance or outcome. Faith is a gift of the spirit from God. Paul wrote in Romans 12: 3… think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Paul also wrote in 1 Corinthians 12: 7-9 to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good…. to another faith by the same Spirit.
By its nature, faith may diminish if made dormant or not exercised. David wrote in Psalms 116: 10 I kept my faith, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted”. Faith may be enhanced by its frequent exercise; the paralyzed man in Matthew 9: 2; the woman with hemorrhage in Matthew 22; the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15: 28; and the epileptic sufferer in Matthew 17: 20-21. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5: 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. Faith is the eye or sight of the believer, not the physical sight.
What are the types of faith?
The bible mentions various types of faith in the body of Christ. We have good faith which is goodwill or honest faith, Joshua 2: 12; bad faith which is betrayed or breached faith, Joshua 7: 1; 22: 22; great or mature faith, Matthew 8: 10; 9: 2; small or wavering faith, Matthew 6: 30; 8: 26; 14: 31; sincere or pure faith, 1 Timothy 1: 5; 2 Timothy 1: 5; counterfeit faith or pretentious faith, 2 Timothy 3: 8; holy faith, Jude 1: 20; and faithless or empty faith, Matthew 17: 17.
Faith demands commitment to a promise that is made in honesty. Psalms 146: 6 says the LORD God keeps faith forever. God wants faith which does not waver. Isaiah 7: 9 says if you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all. In other words, faith which is not exercised is dead. James 2: 26 says for just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead. (See also James 2: 17). Faith is rewarding so Isaiah 26: 2 says open the gates, so that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.
What is the nature of faith?
Faith is the lifeline for the righteous. Paul wrote in Galatians 3: 11 the one who is righteous will live by faith. Jesus also said in Matthew 8: 13; 9: 29, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” We further read from Habakkuk 2: 4… the righteous live by their faith. We can therefore increase our life lines by growing our faith or diminishing it by whatever means.
Faith is a gift so the apostles said to Jesus in Luke 17: 5 “increase our faith!” Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10: 15… as our faith increases, our sphere of action among you may be greatly enlarged. Jesus wants us to grow our faith and not to diminish it. He said in Luke 18: 8 when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? We are accountable for our faith so Jesus said in Luke 22: 32 but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail.
Failed faith will destroy our relationship with Jesus because it will erode the foundation of our relationship. Physical sight is not relevant or material to faith. Paul wrote in Romans 4: 19-20 he did not weaken in faith… but grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God. We grow in faith as we give glory to God in all circumstances.
How Paul described faith
Paul explains faith in Hebrews 11: 1-11 as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. It means we must assert what we hope for, and accept what we have not seen. In effect we must turn our hopes and convictions into reality.
Paul describes faith as the procedure for divine approval, Hebrews 11: 2. It is the basis for understanding God’s mystery, verse 3. It is the basis to offer acceptable sacrifice to God, verse 4. It is the basis to escape from death (salvation), verse 5. It is the basis for pleasing God, verse 6. It is the basis to hear from God, verse 7. It is the basis of obedience, verse 8. It is the basis for waiting on God, verse 9-10. It is the basis to receive renewal from God, verse 11.
Faith is blind to discrimination, Acts 15: 9; Romans 1: 16; Ephesians 4: 5. Faith is reckoned as righteousness, Romans 4: 5, 9; 9: 30. Faith works out as salvation, Ephesians 2: 8; 3: 17; Hebrews 11: 6. Faith is a shield for God’s children, Ephesians 6: 16; 1 Thessalonians 5: 8. The basis of faith is in Romans 10: 17; 14: 22-23; Galatians 3: 23. Faith comes from what we hear, Romans 10: 17. It is based on our personal conviction before God and what does not proceed from faith is sin, Romans 14: 22-23. Faith releases us from spiritual imprisonment with divine liberty in Christ Jesus, Galatians 3: 23.
What faith do we have? Is our faith alive or dead faith? Do we walk by faith and not by sight?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, please increase our faith in you in a world of adversities so we may be able to withstand the whines of the enemy and live in righteousness to your glory and honour in your holy name, Amen!!
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