|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| The Six Basic Teachings
of Christianity (Part II) Jesus Christ Himself is the chief corner stone! Faith Toward God “God has given to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3). “ . . . your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (I Corinthians 2:5). The Bible mentions faith 234 times (only twice in the Old Testament). It also tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). The Bible even gives its own definition of what faith is: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). The dictionary's definition: “unquestioning belief in God; complete trust and reliance in God”; from the Latin “fidere” to trust. The Bible tells us that 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 (Hebrews 11:3). The Scripture also makes it clear that anyone who comes to God “must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Some people have come to God believing that He exists, but they have come with a false understanding of Who He is. They do not know that He is a REWARDER! We must understand this as a very basic foundational block in our spiritual house. I have repeatedly counseled God's people who have shown me by what they have said that they do not believe that God is a Rewarder. So I have had to go back with them to the Word of God and show them that they have to change their thinking about Him. He does reward those who seek Him. We must believe that He exists; and we must believe that He is a rewarder. No matter how religious we may become in life, if we don't believe these two things about God then we can never please Him. You may attend church services your entire life, but if you don't believe that God exists and that He is a rewarder, then all of your efforts have been in vain. The Scripture makes it emphatic: It is impossible to please God without faith. Man has consistently substituted many other things in the place of faith, but to no avail. Faith is what pleases God! The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is one of the clearest passages in the Bible about the subject of faith. It mentions people like Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, The Harlot Rahab (yes!), Gideon, Barak, Deborah, Samson, Jephthae (Judges 11:1), David, and Samuel. For starters you should go back to the Old Testament and read every story about each of these people. This will help give you an understanding of how faith operates, how it pleases God, and how He rewards those who seek Him. Here are just a few of the things that these great people of faith accomplished: They subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the enemies, women received their dead raised to life again (by faith), others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings, and scourgings, yes, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:33-38). What a powerful passage! What a motivating message! The world has yet to see what you can accomplish through faith in God! Four times Jesus said, “All things are possible” (Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23; 10:27; 14:36). With God all things are possible. All things are possible to him that believes. You can go anywhere, be anything, and accomplish anything. It all depends on how much faith you have in God. Because “it is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit , saith the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). Do you see the importance of having faith as one of your foundation stones in your spiritual house? What a powerful platform from which to operate! You can never be moved if you have faith in God. Here are a few other verses about faith: “And He said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is not faith.” Deuteronomy 32:20 “ . . .but the just shall live by His faith.” Habakkuk 2:4 (compare Romans 1:17 and Galations 3:11) “When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said unto them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Matthew 8:10 “”Then He touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.” Matthew 9:29 “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is your faith: be it unto you even as you will. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” Matthew 15:28 “And Jesus said unto them . . . for verily I say unto you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say to you, If you have faith, and doubt not, you shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if you shall say to this mountain, Be removed, and be cast into the sea; it shall be done.” Matthew 21:21 “And Jesus answering said unto them, Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22 “And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you might say to this sycamore tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” Luke 17:5-6 “And He said unto him, Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole.” Luke 17:19 “And Jesus said unto him, Receive you sight: your faith has saved you."” Luke 18:42 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, the he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 “And His name through faith in His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know: yes, the faith which is by Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16 “And the Word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” Acts 6:7-8 “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added to the Lord.” Acts 11:24 “The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped and walked.” Acts 14:9 “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22 “And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:9 “And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.” Acts 16:5 “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21 “First I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” Romans 1:8 “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:22-23 “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28 “And being not weak in faith Abraham considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.” Romans 4: 19-21 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2 “But what does it say? The Word is close to you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-10 “ . . .you stand by faith.” Romans 11:20 “ . . .God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:1 “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” I Corinthians 2:4-5 “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” 2 Corinthians 5:7 “Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; . . .” 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Galatians 2:16 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 “Know therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel to Abraham, saying, In you shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” Galatians 3:7-9 “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:14 “For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26 “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.” Galatians 5:6 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."” Galatians 6:10 “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16 “ . . . continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, . . .” Colossians 1:23 “Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised Him from the dead."” Colossians 2:12 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils;” I Timothy 4:1 “Let no man despise your youth; but be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” I Timothy 4:12 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” II Timothy 4:7-8 <-- Back to TEACHING Main Page Contact Us! Full Life Crusade 1-574-267-7546 EMAIL |