I've always been fascinated with faith, even as a child. My Dad would base every discussion about God and life back to that. His matter-of-fact words made it seem simple and conclusive. A simple traveling map perhaps.
I'm going on a journey here, if you'd like to come along. I've got a traveling map and need a companion.
Have you ever gone a long journey? It takes some time, some patience. There are stops along the way where you pause and rest, where you contemplate the path. Some journeys you start out on thinking you know the way, you've been here before, it's been well traveled before you and you think it's all auto-pilot. But what if...what if you had all the time in the world and you don't mind skipping the highways, you decide to take the scenic route instead? Scenic routes offer views of a journey the highway can not give.
We're taking the scenic route...as the small-time tax collector, and one of only 12 close friends of Jesus: Matthew once said "The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matt 7:14 NLT).... so let's find it.
First, find the correct map...
Skip (as many of you knew him by)/Dad writes, "What is faith? it's a question that has puzzled men for years. Generally we define faith as 'to believe', but then when we try to define 'believe' we say 'to have faith'. We go in circles because faith is an abstract idea, meaning it is not something we can hold or touch."
To get to the bottom of that question, let's first identify what faith IS NOT,
Skip sites:
1. NOT SIMPLY CONFIDENCE
not natural courage or ambition. These may be important and they keep people going, but they should not be confused with the gift of faith. Even those who deny Christ may possess courage and confidence. There are many things that a person can do in the natural to build one's confidence, but the gift of faith is not built up by natural means. It is a manifestation of the Spirit of God (Cor 12:7-10).
2. NOT SIMPLY HOPING SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN
The gift of faith is not simply trying to have faith. It doesn't come from gesturing, screaming, yelling, jumping, or supposing. It is not guess-work, predicting, or positive confession. Simply hoping something will happen may keep a person working towards a goal, but it is not a manifestation of the Spirit of God. A person doesn't necessarily need the Holy Spirit to hope something good will happen.
3. NOT ONE'S THEOLOGY
It is not a doctrine, a theory, a dogma, a theoretical principle, a disciplined prayer life, a conviction, a creed, or any other man-made policy. It is a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
The right map has been found!...
"In the beginning was the WORD" (John 1:1)
"The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us" v.14
"The WORD gave life to everything that was created..." v. 4
"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD [rhema] of God." Romans 10:17 KJV
The Amplified Bible translates James 1:21 as saying the WORD of God "contains the power to save our souls." This means the WORD of God is self-fulfilling. The Greek word logos refers to the general written Word of God, while, the word rhema, which is also translated "word" in Scripture, means a word from God made alive to you personally, relating to a specific circumstance. When God speaks a WORD to us, it has the effect of giving faith. HOWEVER, Scripture is littered with examples of men and women who heard the Word of God and either did not believe it or did not obey it. When we hear from God, we must mix it with our faith. -Phil Pringle C3i founder.
FAITH IN WHAT WE DON'T SEE: Hebrew's 11:1 (The Message Bible) states "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see..."
"So what do we have faith in? The WORD of God: That is the thing we lean upon and it holds us up. We must ACT upon His Word." - Rev. Skip Lefler
No comments:
Post a Comment