THE MEASURE OF FAITH IS SUPPLIED BY GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT

                                                                                  

                               FAITH

“…Now FAITH IS the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).

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Faith is often a hard concept to grasp. God “…dealt (GAVE) to every man (woman) the measure of faith...” (Romans 12:3 KJV). “….IT IS THE “GIFT” OF GOD…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

The “measure of faith” and the “fruit of faith, from God, is the perspective of faith, this books takes and believes to be the assurance, certainty, or confidence of things hoped for and evidence or proof of things not YET seen. “…Now FAITH “IS” the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).

From this perspective, the Hebrews 11:1 Faith is God’s GIFT. “… FAITH “IS” …” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is …faith…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…The measure of faith...” (Romans 12:3 KJV). “….IT IS THE “GIFT” OF GOD…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

Activating the Hebrews 11:1 faith depends upon HEARING God’s WORD. “… [The measure of or Spirit of] …Faith cometh by HEARING… the WORD of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). HEARING God’s word ACTIVATES the Hebrews 11:1 faith, within the believer, through the indwelling POWER of the Holy Spirit. “…According to the POWER (the Holy Spirit) that works WITHIN us…” (Ephesians 3:20 NASB). THIS FAITH, SUPPLIED BY GOD'S SPIRIT, IS "EMPOWERED FAITH!"

When “the measure of faith” or the “Spirit of Faith” empowers the redeemed believer it is experienced as complete dependence upon the indwelling WORK of God “IN” and “THROUGH” them. “…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV)

When common human faith motivates people it is dependent on non-spiritual principles or values, human reason, established bodies of human knowledge, human logic, or scientific theories. However, without God’s WORD, the Hebrews 11:1 faith is not activated. .“…[The measure of or the Spirit of] ...Faith cometh by HEARING… the word of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV).

Human faith is often experienced as trust in one’s OWN understanding OR someone else’s character, nature, logic, reason, knowledge, or behavior. “… LEAN NOT unto thine own (or anyone elses's) understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

When “the measure of faith” or the “Spirit of Faith” empowers the redeemed believer it depends on hearing the trustworthy WORD of God to become ACTIVATED. It is experienced and witnessed as a strong, confident dependence upon the Lord, which is also the WORD and the indwelling WORK of the Holy Spirit. “…Trust in (depend upon) the Lord (the word) with ALL thine heart…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

Faith, of any kind, is a system of belief that usually involves an absolute trust in or dependence upon a person, a thing, or idea and concepts. “…He… [completely] … entrusted himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV).

Faith, of any kind, is usually a personal unwavering conviction about certain religious truths, or human truths or facts. “…Abraham believed God [the HOLY SPIRIT}…” (James 2:18-24 NIV).

Faith is the opposite of disbelief and is therefore motivated by confident trust in or dependence upon “A” person, “A” thing, or ideas and concepts. “…Trust in (or depend upon) the Lord with ALL …” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

Faith, of any kind, is a FIRM, sincere, and confident belief in one’s OBJECT of FAITH; whatever “IT” is or whoever “IT” is. “…Abraham believed God (his object of faith), and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend…” (James 2:18-24 NIV). HAVING FAITH IN GOD IS THE "RIGHT" THING TO DO OR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

People struggle with their faith in God. Most people think faith in God relies totally upon their human faith or human effort.

However, human faith or human effort often takes redeemed believers on the path of uncertainty, ambiguity, insecurity, or doubt at times. “…I DO believe; help me overcome my unbelief!...” (Mark 9:24 NIV).

This book will basically discuss the Hebrew 11:1 faith, or “the measure of faith,” or the Spirit of Faith that comes from God as a GIFT through the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…The [God-given] measure of faith...” (Romans 12:3 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is …faith…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

Human faith is experienced as human-effort and usually DEPENDS upon things or people from the natural world as OBJECTS of FAITH.

Faith (belief), human or divine, is empowered by something or someone, a person, considers absolutely and totally trustworthy. ^“….The decrees (WORDS) of the Lord are TRUSTWORTHY, making wise the simple…” (PSALM 19:7 NLT).  “…All your commands are TRUSTWORTHY…” (PSALM 119:86 NLT). “…your laws are perfect and completely TRUSTWORTHY…. “ (PSALMS 119:138 NLT). “…This hope is a strong and TRUSTWORTHY anchor for our souls…” (HEBREWS 6:19 NLT). “Everything you have heard and seen is TRUSTWORTHY and true…” (REVELATION 22:6 NLT).

This person considers something absolutely dependable or someone’s WORD completely trustworthy. “… [God is]… WATCHING OVER [his] WORD TO PERFORM IT …” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…So shall my word … that goeth forth out of my mouth: IT SHALL NOT RETURN UNTO ME VOID, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).  “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; ALL CAME TO PASS…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). 

Dependable and trustworthy people have PROVEN reliability and character. It may be EASY to GIVE them, without fear of disappointment, your complete hope or expectancy. “… HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT… (ROMANS 5:5 NASB). “…For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED…" (ROMANS 10:11 NASB). “… HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED… (ROMANS 9:33 NASB). “…In You they trusted and WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED…. (PSALMS 22:5 NASB).

A dependable and trustworthy something or someone is a SAFE choice for entrusting your complete hope or expectation in. “…He… [completely] … entrusted himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV).

Faith, human or divine, in a dependable and trustworthy thing or person becomes stronger and stronger every time the DEPENDABLE or TRUSTWORTHY thing or person PROVES reliable. “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; ALL CAME TO PASS…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). 

When faith in a dependable or trustworthy thing or person grows it becomes more than knowledge; it becomes experience.

Experience develops into a deeper, more committed dependability or trust in “that” thing or person. Job had a committed dependability upon God and he said, “…Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…” (Job 13:15 KJV).

Faith, in a dependable and trustworthy thing or person, becomes a reliance upon their PROVEN RECORD. “…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

Once a PROVEN RECORD is established, it becomes easier to make a confident and personal commitment to trust in or depend upon “that” THING or PERSON with ever growing certainty. “…The LORD “WILL” accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “...Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).  

Once a PROVEN RECORD is established in a thing or person, over a LONG period of time, it or they become TRUSTWORTHY as an OBJECT of one’s dependency or trust.  “….IS THERE ANY ROCK (TRUSTWORTHY) LIKE OUR GOD…..” (1 SAMUEL 2:2 KJV). “…All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are TRUSTWORTHY….” (PSALMS 111:7 NLT).

 For example, God told Abraham he would have a son at 90+ years old and from that son he would make him a GREAT nation. “…Abraham believed God…” (James 2:18-24 NIV).

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee…” (Genesis 17 KJV). “…And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. ^…And in thee SHALL ALL FAMILIES of the earth be blessed…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).

However, God told him to sacrifice his only son on the altar. You may wonder, like I did, if Abraham sacrifices his son on the altar, how will he become a GREAT nation through Isaac. After all, he is already past 99 years old. Well, “…Abraham believed God…” (James 2:18-24 NIV)..

“…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…” (Hebrews 11 NLT)

“…Abraham believed God…” (James 2:18-24 NIV). “…Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping--believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, "That's how many descendants you will have!" (Romans 4:18 NLT).

To this day, everyone who has faith in God, like Abraham did, is considered Abraham’s seed. “…Understand, then, that those who HAVE FAITH ARE children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who RELY ON FAITH are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith…” (Galatians 3: 7-9 NIV).

Abraham was empowered to have unwavering faith in God. “…Abraham believed God…” (James 2:18-24 NIV). “…Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing..." (Romans 4:18 NLT).

Abraham was empowered with a FAITH that enabled him to sacrifice his only son while expecting that God would STILL be able to make him a GREAT nation through Isaac. “…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…” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “….I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

The object of Abraham’s faith was the trustworthy, HOLY, dependable Jehovah God. “…It was BY FAITH that ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC … Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was ABLE to bring him back to life again.…” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “… Is there any thing too hard for [God]?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

Human faith depends upon a person’s OWN human effort whereas the Spirit of Faith depends upon the indwelling WORK of the Holy Spirit.

Doubt need “NOT” be a party to the Spirit of Faith. “…YOU MUST BELIEVE (depend upon) AND NOT DOUBT….” (James 1:6-8 NIV).  The extreme of doubt is inundated with uncertainty, skepticism, double-mindedness, instability, hesitancy, or distrust. “…A double minded man (woman) is unstable in all his ways….” (James 1:8 KJV).

The extreme of doubt comes when no one and nothing is considered dependable or trustworthy. "…Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and DOES NOT DOUBT in their heart but believes (depends) that what they say will happen, it will be done for them….” (MARKS 11:23 NIV).

Hebrews 11:1 faith, or the “measure of faith,” of the “spirit of faith” is meant to produce assurance or a certainty of things “hoped for” while doubt WILL produce the uncertainty of things “hoped for. Thus, God “…dealt (GAVE) to every man (woman) the measure of faith...” (Romans 12:3 KJV). “….IT IS THE “GIFT” OF GOD…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…WALK BY [THAT]…FAITH...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV). “…IT SHALL BE DONE TO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR [indwelling Spirit of]…FAITH…” (MATTHEW 9:29 NASB).  

Human faith enables a person to depend upon self-effort, other human effort, a place, a thing, a plan, or established ideas, knowledge, or concepts that are based on human information, reason, scientific facts, or logic.

Hebrews 11:1 faith, or the “measure of faith,” of the “spirit of faith” empowers the redeemed believer, through the WORK of the Holy Spirit to put complete confidence in God.

The SPIRITUAL fruit of FAITH, produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit is activated by “hearing” the Word of God, but the redeemed believer chooses to willfully depend upon the indwelling WORK of the Holy Spirit.

Faith, whether human or divine, chooses to rely upon something good happening, regardless of what else is happening or is said, by way of their dependable and trustworthy OBJECT OF FAITH. “…Now FAITH IS the substance (assurance, certainty, etc.) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).

Faith, whether human or divine, depends upon and completely trust IN “that” thing or person, without wavering; expecting that what they “hope for” will eventually come to pass. “…And in PROCESS of time IT CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).

Putting faith, whether human or divine, in a thing or person means you EXPECT the desired OUTCOME “WILL” happen. “….I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

Faith, whether human or divine, is an important part of everyday life. “…WALK BY FAITH...” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).

Somewhere along the line, common, routine, or general human faith is placed in a person, yourself, a place, a thing, a plan, human information, or an idea. Every day faith is a natural part of life.

Common, routine, or general faith is necessary to sit down in a chair, drive a car, to have assurance you are safe in your home, that the water you’re drinking is drinkable water, or that the food you eat from the store is safe.

Common, routine, or general human faith depends regularly on the air that is breathed, the ability to walk, run, talk, be independent, and have the ability to make decisions for your life.

Having common, routine, or general faith makes life a lot more pleasant. It is a pleasure to get in a car and be able to depend upon it to drive safely from one place to another instead of walking. It is a pleasure to bring food home from the grocery stores to feed yourself and your families and be able to depend upon it to be SAFE for yourself and family.

Faith, therefore, is necessary to have a healthy life with reduced stress. So many things people depend upon are taken for granted such as; breathing, walking, talking, making choices, or the gift of time. Without some level of faith, human or divine, life can be unfulfilling, unhealthy or restrictive, or full of fear.

Without some level of faith or trust, human or divine, all that is left is doubt. Doubt ushers in uncertainty, fear, along with negative perspectives and expectations of life. If you don’t have common, routine or general every day faith life can be wishy-washy and unreliable MOST of the time.

Faith is used every single day of your life. Human faith, however, altars and wavers, but the indwelling Spirit of Faith never loses its potency, power, sustainability, or consistency. “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).   “…The Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in [you], he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

Human faith results in human effort which will enable you trust in temporary resources that don’t and won’t last forever. “…after a while the brook dried up ….” (1 KINGS 17:1-7 NLT). “…So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until…” (Exodus 16 NLT).

Hebrews 11:1 faith empowers you to trust in and depend upon God, the Holy Spirit and the object of faith that NEVER changes, is absolutely certain, and will never let your hope down.“… [Spiritual]...FAITH IS the substance (CERTAINTY) of things hoped for (EXPECTED)…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “… [Spiritual]...FAITH IS … the evidence (PROOF) of things not seen…” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  ^“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

However, the OBJECT of Faith that you depend upon or trust in will be the OBJECT of Faith that produces the results of your HOPE or EXPECTATION. “…IT SHALL [always]… BE DONE TO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH…” (MATTHEW 9:29 NASB).  Human or Divine. 

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