I thought I had finished writing on faith, but as I flipped through the cable stations, the word ‘faith’ caught my attention. I stopped for a moment to listen to the televangelist. “Faith has power. Faith possesses a special energy,” he asserted. I realized I needed to share one more thought on faith. I recently heard a noted teacher say that faith has all but become the fourth entity of the Godhead. One great misconception today makes faith the object of our faith – this results in people having faith in faith. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote, “Faith never points to itself.” Faith is only as reliable as the reliability of its object. Mere faith in faith is meaningless and useless because it has no object. True Christian faith has as its object God and His Word.
So far, we have seen the word ‘faith’ can also be translated trust. In addition, because we trust Christ and His Word, we can apply what He tells us. So you may be asking, “Ok, I know what it means, but how do I obtain it?”
First, faith is a gift from God and not something we manufacture in ourselves. Our fallen nature does not have that ability. Paul says in Roman 12v3 that . . . God has allotted to each a measure of faith. The word translated here as allotted, means to distribute, divide, or give part. He also writes, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it [faith] is the gift of God (Eph 2:8). Salvation begins with faith, but even the faith to receive Christ is the gift of God. There are also times when the church needs faith beyond the normal and the Holy Spirit gives someone the spiritual gift of faith. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good . . . For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit . . . to another faith by the same Spirit (1 Cor 12:7-9).
Second, faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. (Gal 5:22, 23). The Holy Spirit produces fruit as we allow Him to fill and control our lives. Paul is addressing the issue of those who were teaching that, in addition to grace, believers must also keep the Law. However, the flesh is the only means of keeping the Law. In verses 19-21, Paul lists the works of the flesh, which are all sinful. There is no law or set of rules we can obey that will bring about the Fruit of the Spirit. Fruit, pleasing to God, comes about only by the Holy Spirit doing His work in and through us.
Growing fruit is a process. I have a fig tree I rooted from a tree my Grandfather planted over 100 years ago. The figs are the size of a pear when they ripen. Yet, as with all fruit, it begins as a tiny bud and then grows day by day for several weeks. I can water the tree and add fertilizer to it, but I can do nothing to make it mature. Growth is a matter of the nature process God enacted at creation. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it . . . (Jas 5:7). The same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. I can water it with scripture and prayer, but nothing I can do in my flesh will produce any spiritual fruit, including faith. No matter how hard I try in myself; no matter how much mental energy I put forth; or how often I tell myself I have faith, will these fleshly efforts produce more faith. Growing faith is a lifelong process.
Third, we increase our faith by hearing the Word of God. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17). The Message Bible clarifies the importance of knowledge and faith or trust. But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted (10:14)? How can I trust in any of the promises of God if I have no knowledge of them? Knowing the Word is a key to the increase of our faith.
Stop trying to work up a mentality of faith. Ask the Lord to give you faith. The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith” (Luk 17:5)! Allow the Holy Spirit to fill and control your life so He can grow the fruit of the Spirit including faith. Study the Bible because it tells us His promises. Once we know them, we can apply them by faith. Trust develops over time so the longer we experience the fulfillment of His Word, the more we trust Him. The teaching of the televangelist was incorrect; faith does not possess power or special energy. The power and energy comes from the object of our faith and trust—Jesus Christ our LORD.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
Do not wear yourself out trying to develop faith. Take the first step by trusting Him that faith is a gift and a fruit He produces as we allow the Holy Spirit to fill and control our lives.