Lesson 5 - Spiritual Gift of Faith

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". 

What is Faith? The Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) reads the true meaning of this verse better.  “Trusting is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do no see.” This definition emphasizes personal trust in Christ, not just belief in facts about Christ. Because saving faith in Scripture involves this personal trust, the word “trust” is a better word to use in contemporary culture than the word “faith” or “belief.” The reason is that we can “believe” something to be true with no personal commitment or dependence involved in it. I can believe that Albany is the capital of New York, or that 7 times 6 is 42, but have no personal commitment or dependence on anyone when I simply believe those facts. 

The word "faith" is sometimes used today to refer to an almost irrational commitment to something in spite of strong evidence to the contrary, a sort of irrational decision to believe something that we are quite sure is not true!  In this case the word “belief” and the word “faith” have a meaning contrary to the biblical sense. The word "trust" is closer to the biblical idea, since we are familiar with trusting person in everyday life. Contrary to the current secular understanding of “faith” true New Testament faith is not something that is made stronger by ignorance or by believing against the evidence. Rather,  faith is consistent with knowledge and true understanding of facts. 

Gift of faith goes beyond natural faith.  It is the gift to believe God to do something beyond the ordinary and to believe for the miraculous to occur in the midst of difficult circumstances without any doubt. It is uncommon faith.  Job was a man of uncommon faith. He lost everything , was afflicted with sores, yet he resisted the promptings from his wife to curse God. He maintained his faith in God in spite of being the poster child for “Why bad things happen to good people.”

Paul says, “Trust (Faith) comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17NASB).  When people have true information about Christ, they are better able to put their trust in him.  The more we know about him and about the character of God that is completely revealed in Him, the more fully we are able to put our trust in him.

So what do we know about God? His name is "I, AM".  He is Abba, Father!  There is no other God like him now or before.  He is the Creator of the Universe. He is the Triune God (i.e., Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). He is Omnipotent (all powerful), Omnipresent (present everywhere at the same time) and Omniscient (all knowing).  He is the same today, yesterday and forever. 

He is Truth, Justice, Faith, Mercy, Love and Grace. He is the One who performs miracles and holds the world in His hands.  He cares for you and he knows where you are every minute of the day. He has a force of mighty angels to fight your battle when you call on them. He keeps the Destroyer from coming in like a flood to overtake you. He has a plan for your life. He is the Healer, the Teacher, Shepherd and the Protector of your life! 

Now, I know you can trust Him.  However, you can never trust the Evil one or evil people.  Evil lurks in the mind of the ungodly all the time and you cannot let them get into your head or your life.  Ask yourself this question: "Am I trusting God or my friends and myself?" Who do you really trust?  Don't believe the lies of the ungodly. God plan was never for you to be poor and hungry, drunk and alone.  He has a plan that is good, and requires you to be greater than you were before.  

BTW:  People without the gift of faith will ask God to help them climb the mountain. People with the gift of faith will ask God to move the mountain, fight and defeat their enemies. Follow God and he will see you through. 

For His Glory and Him Only;

Rev. Patricia McNair