The Uniqueness Of Faith
L#11:“THE UNIQUENESS OF FAITH”
INTRODUCTION
We have already considered the definition of faith given in Hebrews 11:1. The Writer of Hebrews goes on to describe the part played by faith in man’s approach to God. Hebrews 1:6 “ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Notice the two phrases: “without faithit is impossible to please Him [God]” and “he who comes to God must believe.” We see from these that faith is the indispensable condition for approaching God and for pleasing God.
1. FAITH-THE BASIS OF ALL RIGHTEOUS LIVING
Habakkuk 2:4 “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” (See also Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).
The proclamation of this simple message by a tiny, despised minority (the disciples) changed the course of the world history. Within three centuries it brought to his knees the great Caesar (Constantine) himself. About twelve centuries later this same sentence, quickened by the Holy Spirit in the heart of Martin Luther, dislodged the power of papal Rome and brought about the Protestant Reformation which we are enjoying today.
What It Means To Live By Faith
The word ‘live’ covers almost all arrears of human personality and experience in every conceivable aspect-the spiritual, the mental, the physical, and the material. It covers the widest possible range of activities-such as breathing, thinking, speaking, eating, sleeping, working etc.
Romans 14:23 “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.” (See also James 1:16-17; Col 3:17; I Timothy 4:4-5; I Cor. 6:13; I Thess. 5:23; Ecc. 5:17; Psalm 127:2; Psalm 3:4-5
The relationship between God’s part and a man who lives by faith is: “You do the simple thing God will do the complicated thing. You do the small thing; God will do the great thing. You do the possible thing; God will do the impossible thing.”
The faith faculty is the only faculty of man that can solve the problems that confront him today. ( see also Matt. 19:26; 9:23).
Faith is the channel by which God’s omnipotence becomes available to man. The limit of what faith can receive is the limit only of what God Himself can do.
1. APPROPRIATING ALL OF GOD’S PROMISES
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NASB) “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.”
Romans 8:32 (NASB) “ He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (See also Phil. 4:19; 1 John 5:4; 2 Peter 1:3-4)
For every need that can arise in the life of any Christian, there is somewhere in God’s Word a promise that meets that need and which may be claimed through faith in Christ.
Things you need to do when you have a need: (1). Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to a particular promise or promises that apply to the situation and meet the need. (2) Obediently fulfill in your life the particular condition attached to those promises. (3) Positively expect the outworking in your life.
NOTE: In the Old Testament, under Joshua, God brought His people into a promise land. In the New Testament, under Jesus, God brings His people into a land of promises. (Josh. 1:3; Ps. 37:5).
CONCLUSION
The Christian Faith is an active faith that can be appropriated (believed, confessed and received) by a believer. Appropriating faith is the key to victorious Christian living. It must be based on the promises of God’s Word, and it must follow the three successive steps: (1). Find a particular promise or promises that apply to the situation and meet the need. (2) Fulfill in your life the particular condition attached to those promises. (3) Claim the fulfilment of the promise. Subject to these conditions, the scope of the Christian’s faith is as wide as the promises of God.
Recent Comments