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Now Faith Is

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3/22/2008 / Christian Living

FAITH IS!

Hebrews 11 v 1 to 3: "Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

Who has not asked, "What is this thing called 'Faith' only to be told that, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." While this is a scriptural answer it remains very inadequate to the searching mind. It is meant by this to imply that faith gains it's substance from the very promises of God and that the time we can expect to experience the impossible is when we have the evidence of the written word of God. Too true O, Sage! If God has said it, I can experience it, when I believe it.

We've all seen the car sticker that reads, 'God Said it! I Believe it! That Settles it!' this would suggest that to settle the matter I must believe it. While this is true in everyone's individual experience the reality is that God has said it! And that settles it! It is only necessary for me to believe in order to make it a reality in my own life. Everything that anyone receives from God is a gift of His gracious favour,. All is "Grace", they are all unmerited free gifts from the one of whom it has been said that, "every good and every perfect gift comes down from above from the Father of lights who never varies." James 1:17 and Jesus often said, "According to your faith be it unto you," and "Go your way, your faith has saved you." But faith is more than just a matter of getting things from God, although it is the only way to get things from God, for "All things are possible to him who believes."

Now Faith is
It is being sure that the things that we hope for already exist with God who calls the things which are not as if they already were. Visions and dreams have no real substance without God, but with God all things are possible. The God who so freely gave us his Son will also with him give us all things. We used to sing :

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
The wealth in every mine.
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills,
The sun and moon that shine.
Wonderful riches more than tongue can tell,
He is my Father so they're mine as well.
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills
And so I know he cares for me.

Faith - Gives reality to things not yet seen through the promises of God.
Faith - is the very foundation of knowledge for when we believe, then we see.
Faith is A Good Christian testimony as a result of confidence in God's consistency.
For this reason it is written that "the Just shall live by faith!" (Habbakuk 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Galatians 3:11; and Hebrews 10: 38.)

Now Faith is - possessed by all.
You have probably said, "I wish I had faith like you." Or "My faith is not as strong as yours but in Romans 12:3, We read that "God has given to everyone the measure of faith according to the gift of Christ." No wonder Jesus often asked, "How come you have no faith?" or "Where is your faith?" or rebuked his disciples for having so little faith. It was not that they did not have it, but that they did not use it. We too have faith but when last did we use it? Not just in great matters but in living from day to day. We are told not to live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. So faith is living a life that acts only on the word of God in everything we do.

To be sure faith can be used to receive specific things. James 1 v 5/6 tells us that if any person lacks wisdom they should ask God who gives to all men liberally and does not chasten anyone who asks. Jesus said, "Ask and you shall receive." Luke 11 v 9 And, " if you ask anything in my name I will do it." John 15 v 14 The apostle John said, "If we ask anything according to His will we know that He hears us." 1 John 5 v 16 and James says, " You have not because you ask not." James 4 v 2,

Why would we not ask? Because we do not believe we have the right. Ask yourself, "Does a child have the right?" or "Does His promise give me the right?" His work on the cross gave you the right (power) of a child of God John 1 v 11 - 13 and His divine power has given us everything that pertains to godliness. 2 Peter 1 v 3

Now Faith Is!
Faith is an eternal quality so that it exists at all times or as 1 Corinthian 13 tells us, "Now Faith, Hope and Love are always there." We must use our faith and feed it on God's word. When we read that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, faith is being given through the word preached and must be accepted and used so that Jesus said, "Be careful how you listen!" In the Parable of the Sower. In every situation we have two gifts offered faith and unbelief and we are free to choose. What is your choice?

Now Faith is?
Hebrews 11 v 6 tells that we must believe that there is a God who longs to bless us. I cannot imagine anyone who draws near to or approaches God wondering if there really is a God. If I say in my heart "there is no God." Psalm 40 v 1 then God says that I am a fool, how much more a fool if I try to approach a God that I deny exists?

God the Creator of All things is revealed in nature His eternal power and Godhead. and
is further revealed through His word the Bible everything about Him. And
is fully revealed in our Lord Jesus Christ for in Him lives the fullness of the Godhead in physical form.

Now Faith Is:
Confidence in God's immaculate Character:
Reliance on God's measureless Grace:
Experience of God's limitless mercy:
Knowledge of God's Unchangeable Nature:
Believing in God's reliable Promises:
Understanding of God's more sure Word:
Refusal of all contradicting lies about God: That is what Faith is!


(1221 Words)

Bill Stevenson is a volunteer Pastor with 50 years + experience in missions and ministry. He has witnessed God save and heal many miraculously during this time and often been supported by faith alone.

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