So, heres how it works. We are given a measure of faith....to believe. That measure of faith is as a mustard seed. The mustard seed is the tiniest seed in the world....that grows the biggest tree. Our faith STARTS as a mustard seed.....then God expects it to grow. We are to GROW in faith....that is why it is not enough to JUST believe. Believing is the first step....and even that belief is a free gift from God. Not one person CAN believe without that gift. So...we are to grow in faith. How ? Scripture will tell us....lets take a stroll through the Word....... OBJECT OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the object of faith (who or what is believed in) is God and His Son Jesus Christ. There are many persons, places and things that we could put our faith in during our lifetime, but we must prioritize our life, and put our faith in God and Jesus Christ above all else. Jesus said: Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me (John 14:1). We are not to put our faith in that which is false (Matthew 24:23,26). Unless our faith is in God and His Son, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: Mark 11:22; Acts 14:23; 19:4; 20:21; Galatians 2:16; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 6:1; 11:6; 1 Peter 1:21; 1 John 3:23; 5:1,5,10. 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 Gods creation who can believe. What flower ever believed? What rock ever believed? What animal ever believed? Take a look at the great men and women of faith in the Old and New Testaments and see what they accomplished by faith. For Further Study: Hebrews 11:1-40. SUBSTANCE OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the substance of faith (what faith is) is belief; a complete trust, assurance or confidence. There is no fear (Mark 5:36; Luke 8:50) or doubt (Mark 11:23-24) in faith. The writer of Hebrews wrote: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Unless our faith is complete trust, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: Mark 9:23-24; John 6:69; Acts 17:31; 27:25; 2 Timothy 1:12. PROOF OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the 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. God provides the objective, rational evidence for belief; man provides the belief based on that evidence. . John wrote: but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ... (John 20:31). Paul wrote: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Unless our faith is based upon sound evidence from Gods word, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: Mark 1:15; 16:15-16; Luke 8:12-13; 24:25; John 4:39-42; 5:46-47; 8:30,46; 9:35-38; 17:20; 19:35; 20:24-31; Acts 4:4; 8:12-13; 9:41-42; 11:19-21; 13:12; 14:1; 15:7; 17:11-12; 18:8; 24:14; 26:27; Romans 10:8-21; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 3:5; 15:1-2,11,14,17; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 5:13. FRUIT OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the fruit of faith (what faith produces) is active obedience to Gods 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 (Romans 4:12). Unless our faith produces active obedience to Gods word, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: Mark 16:16; Acts 11:21; 19:18-19; Romans 16:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Titus 3:8; James 2:14-26; Revelation 2:19. CONSEQUENCES OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the consequences of faith (what faith leads to) are enormous. First, 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. Paul wrote: because to you if hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for in his behalf (Philippians 1:29). Unless our faith leads to unity, proclamation and persecution, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: John 12:42-43; 17:20-21; Acts 4:32; 22:19. REWARD OF FAITH. The Bible teaches that the reward of faith (what faith accomplishes) is eternal life. Our faith results in eternal life (salvation) given to us by God. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). Unless our faith accomplishes eternal life, we do not have the right kind of faith. For Further Study: John 3:14-16,36; 5:24; 6:40,47; Acts 10:43; 13:39,48; 16:31; 26:18; Romans 1:16; 3:28,30; 5:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 3:24; 1 Timothy 1:16; Hebrews 6:11-12; 1 Peter 1:5-9. 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 God and His Son Jesus Christ? Will you put away any fear or doubt that would keep you from serving God with a sincere faith? Will you spend more time with the Bible evidence that God 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 Gods 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. Faith is trusting IN God. Faith is trusting that God WILL make and mould us....into the people He wants us to be......by obeying His commandments. Only those who do the will of the Father will be saved.....says the Lord. Unless we allow God to lead us, to mould us, to change us, to be sovereign over us.....we are doing all in our own strength and understanding. That is not faith. That is lack of trust, that is rebellion.....that is saying we do not need God because WE can do all things....ourselves. What does the Word say ? Philippians 4: 12-13 …12 . I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13. I can do all things THROUGH HIM who strengthens me. Faith.....ever growing....or should be. Praise God for the free gift of Faith.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 11:04:50 +0000
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