WHO DOES THE WORK OF FAITH?
“….It SHALL be done
to you according to your FAITH…” (Matthew 9:29 NASB).
*
People struggle with Faith. I believe
people struggle with faith because they haven’t considered their perspective of
faith might need to be renewed. “…for BY GRACE have ye been
saved THROUGH
FAITH; and that NOT OF
YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of
works, that no man should glory…”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
The Spirit of Faith does not originate
from You; it is a gift from God above. “Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights …” (James 1:17 KJV).
How did you get this Spirit of Faith? God “…dealt to every
man the measure of faith...”
(Romans 12:3 KJV). How does this faith work? “…[One of] …the fruit of
the Spirit
is …faith…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…faith cometh (is activated) by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 KJV). How do you receive
blessings, riches, and promises? “….It SHALL be done
to you according to your (indwelling Spirit of) FAITH…” (Matthew 9:29 NASB). This
scripture says “…it shall be done to you
according to your faith…” which faith? Is God talking about human faith or
the Hebrews 1:11 faith, “...the measure of faith,” or the “Spirit of Faith?”
The bible says faith, “…IS THE GIFT OF GOD…”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “… [One
of] …the fruit of the Spirit is …faith…” (Galatians 5:22-23
KJV). God “…dealt to EVERY
man the measure of faith...”
(Romans 12:3 KJV).
Notice the scripture does not say “A” measure of faith, but “THE” measure of faith. “A” and “THE” are articles used in English grammar before a noun. “THE” is called a “definite article”
because it specifies the noun verses an “indefinite article,” like “A,” that would generalize the noun.
For instance, in Christianity, you
wouldn’t say “A” Christ because
there is ONLY one. It would be “THE”
Christ. OR, “IF” there were lots of other Christs, and Jesus Christ was the
best of them all; you would say Jesus “THE”
Christ to specify he is unrivaled or incomparable.
Thus God has “…dealt to EVERY man “THE” measure
of faith...” (Romans 12:3 KJV). “THE”
implies that the amount of faith given to each and every believer is unrivaled
and nothing can be compared to it. This
“measure of faith” “…IS THE GIFT OF
GOD…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
. “Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights …” (James 1:17 KJV). “…What … do you have that God hasn’t given
you? And if everything you
have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?...” (1
Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
“…But
THOSE WHO WISH
TO BOAST should BOAST
IN THIS ALONE: that they truly know me
and understand that I am the Lord who
demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and
righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these
things…” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT). “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
When you want activate the
Hebrews 1:11 faith, “...the measure of faith,” or the “Spirit of Faith” you LISTEN TO or HEAR
the Word of God. “…FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, and HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD…”
(Roman 10:17 KJV).
The Hebrews 1:11 faith, “...the measure of faith,” or the “Spirit of Faith” is a
part of your “new creation” whether you activate or not. “…God has given [you] his Spirit as PROOF that [you]… live in him
and he [dwells]… in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT). “…Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, ALL
THINGS ARE BECOME NEW…” (2
Corinthians 5:17 KJV). God “…dealt
to EVERY
man the measure of faith...”
(Romans 12:3 KJV). “… [One
of] …the fruit of the Spirit is …faith…” (Galatians 5:22-23
KJV).
The Hebrews 1:11 faith, “...the measure of faith,” or the “Spirit of Faith” is the guaranteed and
the evidence of the things you hope for, but have not yet actually seen with
the naked eye. “Faith is the substance
(reality) of things HOPED for, the evidence (Proof) of things not
seen…” (Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
The Hebrews 1:11 faith, “...the measure of faith,” or the “Spirit of Faith” is activated
every time it HEARS the WORD of God. “…FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, and HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD…”
(Roman 10:17 KJV). “…Faith is the substance (assurance,
guarantee, etc.) of things HOPED for…” (Hebrew 11:1 KJV). Even
though you don’t see the results right away you are ASSURED you will because of
the indwelling Holy Spirit does the WORK of Faith. “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…[The indwelling Spirit of Faith is] …the
evidence (Proof) of things not seen…” (Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
“The Hebrews 1:11 faith, “...the
measure of faith,” or the “Spirit of
Faith,” when activated, EMPOWERS your HOPE every time you HEAR the
Word of God. “…faith is the substance (guarantee) of
things HOPED for…”
(Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
Even though you don’t see the results right
away, you are ASSURED you will, especially when you hear God’s Word and depend
upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to do the WORK of faith. “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…[The indwelling Spirit of]….faith is the
substance (guarantee) of things HOPED for…” (Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
“The Hebrews 1:11 faith, “...the
measure of faith,” or the “Spirit of
Faith,” IS part of or STEMS from the indwelling
Holy Spirit. “…Faith (the Spirit of Faith) is the substance (guarantee) of things HOPED for…”
(Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
Initially you can’t see the physical evidence
of the things you are expecting from God, but you KNOW, by faith, they are ALREADY
yours and will manifest. “…The evidence (Proof) of
things not seen…” (Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
Initial you can’t see the results of faith
(whatever you’re expecting from God), but you KNOW it is ALREADY done and if
you keep hearing the Word of God and depending upon the WORK of the Spirit of Faith it WILL manifest. “…[The Spirit of]…Faith is the substance (guarantee, assurance) of
things HOPED for,
the evidence (Proof) of things not seen…” (Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
You KNOW if you keep hearing the WORD and
depending upon the WORK of the indwelling
Spirit of Faith, what you hope will absolutely, without a doubt, happen. “…[The Spirit of Faith] is the evidence (Proof) of things not seen…”
(Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
You know the Holy Spirit does the WORK of Faith
“IN” and “THROUGH” you. “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…The …HOLY SPIRIT who
is the SOURCE [of faith] …does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his…
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
You also KNOW if you keep hearing the Word
and depending upon the indwelling Holy
Spirit to do the WORK of faith that what you hope for (whatever it is) will
absolutely, without a doubt, happen. “…[The indwelling Spirit of
Faith is]…the evidence (Proof) of things not seen…” (Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
You know the Holy Spirit does the WORK of Faith
“IN” and “THROUGH” you. “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…The …HOLY SPIRIT who
is the SOURCE [of faith] …does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his…
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
What does the bible say about people who
have depended upon the Holy Spirit to
do the WORK of faith “IN” and “THROUGH”
them? “… BY FAITH we understand that THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE WAS FORMED at God’s command,
that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. It was BY FAITH that Abel brought A MORE ACCEPTABLE
OFFERING than Cain did.
Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his
approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by HIS EXAMPLE OF FAITH. It was BY FAITH that Enoch was TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN
WITHOUT DYING—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For
before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without
faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists
and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. It was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT to save his family
from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had
never happened before. BY HIS FAITH
Noah CONDEMNED
THE REST OF THE WORLD, and he received the righteousness that comes
by faith. It was BY FAITH that
Abraham obeyed when God called him to LEAVE HOME AND GO TO ANOTHER LAND that God would
give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.
And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there BY FAITH—for he was like
a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the
same promise. Abraham was confidently looking forward
to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. It was BY FAITH that even SARAH WAS ABLE TO
HAVE A CHILD, though she was barren and was too old. She believed
that God would keep his promise. And
so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with
so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore,
there is no way to count them. …It was
BY FAITH that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice when God
was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to
sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told
him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.”
Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back
to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead. It was BY FAITH that Isaac PROMISED BLESSINGS
FOR THE FUTURE TO HIS SONS, Jacob and Esau. It was BY FAITH that Jacob, when he was
old and dying, BLESSED
EACH OF JOSEPH’S SONS AND BOWED IN WORSHIP AS HE LEANED ON HIS STAFF.
It was BY FAITH that Joseph, when he
was about to die, said confidently that THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL WOULD LEAVE EGYPT. He even
commanded them to take his bones with them when they left. It was BY FAITH that Moses’ parents HID HIM FOR THREE MONTHS when he was
born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not
afraid to disobey the king’s command. It was BY FAITH that Moses, when he grew up, REFUSED TO BE CALLED THE SON OF PHARAOH’S
DAUGHTER. He chose to share the oppression
of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to
own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward.
It was
BY FAITH that Moses LEFT THE LAND OF EGYPT, not fearing the king’s
anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is
invisible. It
was BY FAITH that Moses COMMANDED THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL TO KEEP THE PASSOVER
and to sprinkle
blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill
their firstborn sons. It was BY FAITH
that the people of Israel WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE RED SEA as though they were
on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned. It was BY FAITH
that the people of Israel MARCHED AROUND JERICHO FOR SEVEN DAYS, and the
walls came crashing down. It was BY
FAITH that Rahab the prostitute WAS NOT DESTROYED with the people in her city who
refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. HOW MUCH MORE DO I NEED TO SAY? It
would take too long to recount THE
STORIES OF FAITH of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all
the prophets. BY FAITH these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice,
and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched
the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness
was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to
flight. Women received their loved ones back again from
death….” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).
Do you have this indwelling Spirit of Faith?
YES. “… [One of] …the
fruit of the Spirit is …faith…” (Galatians 5:22-23
KJV). “…God
has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…”
(Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…the faith which comes through
Him …” (Acts 3:16 NASB). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John
4:24 KJV). “…The Lord is that Spirit…” too
(2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). Where did you get that faith? “…God hath dealt to every man THE MEASURE OF
FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). How is that faith activated? “…FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, and HEARING BY THE WORD OF
GOD…” (Roman 10:17 KJV).
Is
it important to reconsider your perspective of the Hebrews 11:1 faith, or “the measure of faith,” or “Spirit of Faith”
in order is receive what is expected from God? “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
Is your Hebrews
11:1 faith, or “the measure of faith,” or “Spirit of Faith” based on
how you FEEL or God’s truth? “…FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, and HEARING BY THE WORD OF
GOD…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…Thy word is truth” (JOHN
17:17 KJV).
Whether
you feel it or not; believe it or not; use it or not; do you ALWAYS have your Hebrews 11:1 faith, or “the measure of faith,”
or “Spirit of Faith?” “…God hath dealt to every man THE MEASURE OF
FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…Who
can straighten what he has made crooked?” (Ecclesiastes 7:13 NIV). “….God has blessed, and
I cannot reverse
it!” (Numbers 23:20 NLT). “…I
am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same … forever”
(Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
Faith is amanah in Hebrew and can mean a secure,
dependable, GIFTED provision “…God hath
dealt to every man the measure of FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…FAITH
is the substance (reality) of things hoped for, the evidence (Proof)
of things not seen…” (Hebrew 11:1 KJV). “…FAITH COMETH by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 KJV). “ … BELIEVE (depend
upon HIM (Jesus, the Word) whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29
KJV). “…It shall be done to you according to your
[indwelling Spirit of] faith…" (Matthew 9:29 NASB). “…FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, and HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD…”
(Romans 10:17 KJV).
The
believer’s whole Christian journey is a walk of faith. “…walk BY [the
indwelling Spirit of]…FAITH...”
(2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).
The Hebrews 11:1 faith, or “the
measure of faith,” or “Spirit of Faith”
is gifted by God to enable believers to depend upon him to supply the many provisional
promises found in his WORD.
“…As
many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20
NASB). Therefore, “… BELIEVE (depend) ON HIM whom he (God) hath sent.” (John 6:29
KJV).
God
gives you the Hebrews 11:1 faith, or “the measure
of faith,” or “Spirit of Faith”
and he helps you sustain that
faith. “…For it is God who
works in you to will and
to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13
NIV). “…[God]…equip[s]… you with everything good (measure of faith) for doing his will, and …he work[s]… in [you]… what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
God GIVES you the Hebrews
11:1 faith, or “the measure of faith,” or “Spirit of Faith.”
God EQUIPPED you with that “Hebrews
11:1 faith, or “the measure of faith,” or “Spirit of Faith” and the Holy Spirit
does works in and through you.
God empowers YOU to maintain the Hebrews
11:1 faith, or “the measure of faith,” or “Spirit of Faith” through Jesus. Jesus is
the author of your Hebrews 11:1 faith, or “the measure
of faith,” or “Spirit of Faith”
from
beginning to end. “…Looking
unto Jesus the AUTHOR
and FINISHER OF
OUR FAITH…” (Hebrews 12:2a KJV).
“… “…Jesus [is]… the AUTHOR and FINISHER OF [THAT]… FAITH…”
(Hebrews 12:2a KJV). “…God …works in you TO WILL and TO ACT in order
to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “….Apart from Me
(JESUS), you can do nothing…” (John
15:5 NIV).
Every day you can “…walk BY [indwelling Spirit of]…FAITH...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). “…It is God who
works IN YOU TO WILL and TO ACT in order to fulfill his good purpose…”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV).
God-given Faith is a
spiritual gift. “…Now God gives us many
kinds of special abilities, but it is …God who does the work in and through all of us who are
his. He gives SPECIAL FAITH to another
… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
God-given faith is a FRUIT of the SPIRIT. “…But the fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). JESUS
SAID, "I and my Father are…ONE…"
(John 10:30 KJV). THEREFORE, “…the Lord is that Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV “…Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2
Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ be IN
YOU… (Romans 8:10 KJV).
“I CAN
DO (have faith) all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV).
“…Walk BY FAITH...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). “…It shall
be done to you ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH…" (Matthew
9:29 NASB).
“…ALL THINGS for which you pray and ask, BELIEVE THAT YOU
HAVE RECEIVED THEM, and they will be granted you…” (Mark 11:24 NASB).
Your
capacity for activating the indwelling HOLY
SPIRIT to DO the WORK of faith is unlimited and the more the Hebrews 11:1 faith, or “the measure of faith,”
or “Spirit of Faith” is activated, the more you can EXPECT from God. “…Jesus said unto him, If THOU CANST BELIEVE, all things are
possible to him that believeth…” (Mark 9:23 KJV). Can you
believe or depend upon God? YES. “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
Renewing your perspective
of faith activates the UNLIMITED capabilities of your God-given the Hebrews 11:1 faith, or “the measure of faith,” or “Spirit of Faith”
and “...ALL THINGS are POSSIBLE to him that believeth
(depends)…” (Mark 9:23 KJV).
Faith can be a struggle when the
perspective is narrow. Unbelief is a sign that you need to reconsider your
perspective on faith. “…be
transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).
Struggling with faith
not only informs you that you need to reconsider your perspective, but that you
need God’s help. “…I do
nothing of myself…”
(John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). The Centurion said to Jesus “…I DO believe (depend
upon the indwelling faith); help me overcome my (dependence upon my OWN effort)
unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NIV). God assures you, “…I will supply all your NEED…”
(John 12:32 KJV). His disciples took pleasure in the things they lacked within
themselves. “I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for
Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians
12:10 KJV). HEBREWS 11 INFORMS YOU THAT “… [people]… OUT OF WEAKNESS WERE MADE STRONG….” (Hebrews
11:33-34 KJV).
God says to you during
your struggle with faith; “…My grace is sufficient for you,
for MY POWER IS
MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS...” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).
You will NEVER walk in
Faith without God’s assistance. “…NOT
that we are sufficient OF
OURSELVES to think any thing as
of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5
KJV). “…it is God
who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good
purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).
Reconsidering your
perspective of faith starts with recognizing human faith has, like everything
else, been broken, corrupted, and damaged by sin. “...Who will free me from this life that is [sometimes,
still]…dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in
Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). “…apart
from Me you can do nothing…”
(John 15:4-6 NASB).
After the Centurion asked
Jesus to help him with his unbelief; he was enabled to depend upon Jesus and
receive what he expected God for. “…Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and
as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his
servant was healed in the selfsame hour…” (Matthew 8:13 KJV).
Next time you find
yourself struggling with faith, remember: “…[You]… can do
all things through Christ which strengtheneth [you]…”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…[YOU can] do nothing of [your]self…” (John 8:28 KJV). “…the Father that
dwelleth in [you] he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV).
