BIBLE STYLE FAITH
I believe that ‘Faith’ is a greatly misunderstood subject, and as a result it has led to a huge disappointment amongst many who claim to belong to the Lord, because of what appears to be unanswered prayer. It would be good for us to take a fresh look at this topic, and see what the scriptures have to say to us.
First of all let’s look at the word ‘faith’.
The word ‘Faith’, (‘pistis’), is used 244 times in the scriptures, in one form or another, mostly in the New Testament.
Strong’s Dictionary gives the following breakdown for its use.
AV-faith 239, assurance 1, believe 1, belief 1, them that believe 1, fidelity 1; 244.
You will see that the Word of God had quite a bit to say about faith. But what is ‘faith’?
Faith – The Meaning
Faith: pistiv pistis pis’-tis
The Greek/English Dictionary gives the following:
1) conviction of the truth of anything; belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things.
2) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ.
3) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same.
Let us now see what God’s Word tells us about ‘faith’
First of all I want you to see that there is
A. PROVIDED FAITH
Paul, writing to the Ephesians, makes it clear that there is nothing we ourselves can boast about regarding our believing.
Ephesians 2:8-9. You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. 9 It isn’t something you have earned, so there is nothing you can brag about. [CEV]
When Paul wrote to the Church at Galatia, who were very legalistic in their ways, he emphasised the fact that our salvation is through faith, and as we have seen, that is a gift from God.
Galatians 3:26. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, [NIV]
This is an amazing fact that the greatest thing that could ever happen to poor sinful men and women, has been provided freely for us, but at an immense cost to the Lord Jesus, who cleared the debt of our sin by His death on Calvary.
Having provided faith for us, God has a right to expect us to use it! See what the writer to the Hebrew Christians says in that great chapter on faith,
B. PLEASING FAITH
Hebrews 11:6. Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. [NIV]
There is no doubt that to believe in someone or something that we cannot see, or touch, is difficult for us in or natural condition, that is why the Lord provides for us even in this issue. God gives us faith to believe for our salvation, and then gives us the Holy Spirit to indwell us, and through the life of the Spirit we can live a life of faith.
Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [AV]
What we need to do is allow the fruit to grow, and even encourage it to grow! Someone who plants a fruit tree will do all possible to encourage growth, removing all weeds and ensuring a good supply of the needful nutriments.
The incredible thing is that, even though God makes available the means for us to have faith, He still provides for us to possess faith in an ever increasing measure.
C. POSSESSING FAITH
The way to possess faith is made clear in Paul’s letter to the Romans
Romans 10:17. Faith can only come from hearing the message, and the message is the word of Christ. [Philips]
Here is the secret of possessing faith. Get into the Word of God, and listen to what it says. Look at how the Amplified Version puts it
Faith comes by hearing what is told, and what is heard comes by the preaching of the message that came from the lips of Christ (the Messiah Himself). [Amp]
We need to return to hearing from God. It may not be an audible voice form the clouds, but God can still speak to us through the written Word of God. It is as we hear what He would say to us, and put into practice what we hear, that faith begins to grow. Faith is like spiritual muscle, it develops by use!
Years ago, I had an acquaintance that was a body-builder. He rose at an early hour every day to do his workouts before coming to work, was very particular about what food he ate during the day, and returned in the evening to continue his development. Let me tell you, he was very strong! He was willing to pay the price!
I think we need a word of warning just here. Faith is not trying to believe for what we want! We can only base faith on what God says. That is why we need to be people of the Word.
This sort of faith does not just happen. Yes, we were given faith to believe for our salvation, but now we need to take on our responsibility and seek after it
D. PURSUING FAITH
The Apostle Paul had an excellent young man working alongside him, his name was Timothy. Paul trusted Timothy with great a responsibility, placing the care of churches in Timothy’s hands. However, he still tells Timothy to ‘pursue faith’.
II Timothy 2:22. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. [NIV]
See what my dictionary says about this word ‘pursue’.
diwkw dioko dee-o’-ko
To run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after.
To press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal.
To seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire.
Does that help you understand that we cannot just sit and wait for it! It doesn’t drop out of the clouds, it comes from the Word! Don’t chase after the unprofitable, sinful ways of the world, (Flee the evil desires of youth) but strive with all your effort to attain a greater measure of faith. There are some things we should not be content with! Press on to seek for a stronger faith.
The Lord Jesus spoke about faith to His disciples,
Matthew 17:20. “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.” [NIV]
The setting of these words is in response to the disciples question about their inability to do something that Jesus could do – ‘why couldn’t we do it’? The answer is clearly that they lacked faith. Perhaps we should understand that the mustard seed is very small. It may be that what the Lord is suggesting here is that it is not the quantity, but the quality of faith that matters.
William Kelly has a thought provoking comment just here, he says
Unbelief is at the root of the difficulties Satan foists in; for he has lost his power over those that have faith.
It is very easy to make statements about our possessing faith. But the evidence will be in the results – the fruit.
E. PROVEN FAITH
We have a very interesting account of one of the miracles the Lord Jesus did, when He healed two blind men.
Matthew 9:29-30. He touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” 30 Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! [NLT]
We can read those words and pass the important message for us which is found in
Matthew 9:27-28 two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”28 They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.” [NLT]
The word ‘believe’ comes from the same Greek word we are looking at - pistiv pistis pis’-tis. It is translated believe here as ‘believe’. The Bible in Basic English gives it as
Have you faith that I am able to do this?
What I have found quite thought provoking, is that when I researched the word ‘believe’ some years ago, I found that it comes from some ‘Old English’ words which actually mean ‘to live in accordance with’. If we think about that, we will see that we have an answer to the question posed by some, ‘why doesn’t it work’? It doesn’t work because we are not ‘living in accordance with’ what we claim to believe! Our lives must agree with our words! If we do bring our lives into line, then we have an incredible promise we can claim.
Matthew 21:22. And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” [Holman]
Faith does not stop there! Here is another reason for seeking to develop a living faith. When faith becomes active within us, it develops into a protection for us.
F. PROTECTING FAITH
Paul, seeking to encourage the Thessalonian Christians, shows them how faith can be a protection for them. They have to wear it! I would suggest that it is meant to be worn constantly.
I Thessalonians 5:8. Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. [NIV]
Paul uses the same illustration to the church at Ephesus.
Ephesians 6:16. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. [Holman]
You will see that with faith being worn as ‘body-armour’ we are protected. Let me remind you that we are speaking of a faith that is being lived! Or as we saw about the word ‘believe’, we are ‘living in accordance with’ our faith. We are not just talking about it; we are living our faith! This sort of faith does not stop us being engaged in battles, but it gives us the protection when the enemy attacks!
There is one final point to draw your attention to, and it is that faith must be lived where we are. It is not just for the time when we are with other believers, but is to be in evidence when we are in our every-day situations. It is a practical faith.
G. PRACTICAL FAITH
Alongside the remarkable expression of faith that can be ours, there must be a real balance in our lives. If we are not careful we can miss one of the most important lessons about faith, it is that it is something to be shared. Being able to do great achievements alone is missing a vital part of Christian living; that is, the demonstration of love.
I Corinthians 13:2. If I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [NIV]
Without love for our brother and sister in Christ, and also for those who do not know Him, ‘I am nothing’.
I would refer you to the words of the Apostle James, at this point,
James 2:15-17. If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 in the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself. [Holman]
I trust that we have seen something of the value of faith, as revealed in the Word of God, and that there will be a determination in our hearts to possess this kind of faith, a faith that is beyond human means, but which becomes a reality as we allow the Word of God to live in our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit.
