17 Faith (1/2)
…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matt 17:20 (NIV)
A certain village had suffered drought for a very long time. Being so fed up with their depreciating condition, they decided to take a stride to redeem their situation. They agreed that everyone would gather at the village market square on the next market day and pray fervently and vigorously to G.o.d for a down pour. They all concurred. On that set date, they all a.s.sembled. Then they saw a little boy holding an umbrella; they were all startled, some were confused in fact. They asked him what he was doing with an umbrella during the drought; he told them that he had also come to the market square to pray for the down pour, since he had the faith and believed that by the time they were done praying, it would start raining so much so that he'd need a s.h.i.+eld, he took an umbrella. #wide smile#
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Amazingly, almost every one of us exhibits an iota of faith every night-sleeping peacefully with the hope of waking up the next day… #wide smile# yep yep! Let's examine what the Bible says about faith and see the kind of faith G.o.d wants us to have (as told by Chris Reeves):
Object of faith. Who or what is believed in is G.o.d and His Son Jesus Christ. ”Let not your heart be troubled: believe in G.o.d, believe also in me” (John 14:1)
Subject of faith. The Bible teaches that the subject of faith (who or what has faith ) is man himself. Man is the only creature of all of G.o.d's creation who can believe.
Substance of faith. What faith is is belief; a complete trust, a.s.surance or confidence. There is no fear (Mark 5:36; Luke 8:50) or doubt (Mark 11:23-24) in faith.
Proof of Faith. What faith is based on is evidence. Faith is based upon strong, clear, logical, true, historical evidence. Faith is not guesswork. Faith is not a blind leap in the dark. Faith is not grounded in subjective feelings. G.o.d provides the objective, rational evidence for belief; man provides the belief based on that evidence. The Bible does not teach that G.o.d gives man his faith.
Fruit of Faith. What faith produces is active obedience to G.o.d's word. The Bible does not teach that man is saved by faith only. Faith is not just a mental thought; it is a mental thought that leads a person to act, to work, to obey. The outward acts of faith can be seen (Matthew 9:2). Faith takes steps in obedience to G.o.d's word.
Consequences of Faith. What faith leads to are enormous. Faith leads to unity. Luke records: ”And all that believed were together, and had all things common” (Acts 2:44). Second, faith leads to proclaiming the gospel. Paul said: ”But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13). Third, faith leads to persecution.
Reward of Faith. What faith accomplishes is eternal life. Our faith results in eternal life (salvation) given to us by G.o.d
”Do you now believe?” Jesus asks (John 16:31). Now that you know more of what the Bible says about faith what do you plan to do? Will you begin to put more faith in G.o.d and His Son Jesus Christ? Will you put away any fear or doubt that would keep you from serving G.o.d with a sincere faith? Will you spend more time with the Bible evidence that G.o.d has provided in order to build a stronger faith? Will you begin to produce more fruits of faith in your life by your obedience to G.o.d's word? Will you be ready to accept the enormous consequences of your faith, difficult as they may be? If the answer to these questions is yes, then the Lord has promised you a great reward for your faith, eternal life.
Biblical Admonition about Faith
Faith is a gift of G.o.d. ”...according as G.o.d hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).
Without faith we cannot please G.o.d. ”But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to G.o.d must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).”For whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).
The just shall live by faith. ”For therein [in the Gospel] is the righteousness of G.o.d revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).
We are made righteous by faith, not by keeping the Law. ”Even the righteousness of G.o.d which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe” (Romans 3:22). ”And be found in him [Jesus], not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of G.o.d by faith” (Philippians 3:9).
We are justified (declared righteous) by faith, not by works. ”Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with G.o.d through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). ”Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ ...
for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16).