14 Faith

14 Faith

A) What is faith?

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the sign that the things not seen are true.

B) Why do we need to have faith?

2Co 5:7 (For we are walking by faith, not by seeing,)

It is just like our daily driving, we will pass green light comfortably, because we assume other people would stop at red light, and it is function of our faith.

connection between faith and salvation

Jhn 3:16 For God had such love for the world that he gave his only Son, so that whoever has faith in him may not come to destruction but have eternal life.

So, if you want to have eternal life, you must believe in GOD’s begotten son, Jesus Christ.

Jas 2:14 What use is it, my brothers, for a man to say that he has faith, if he does nothing? will such a faith give him salvation?
1Pe 1:9 For so you have the true end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Heb 3:14 For if we keep the substance of the faith which we had at the start, even till the end, we have a part with Christ;

C) But, how the faith is generated/maintained?

Jhn 1:3 All things came into existence through him, and without him nothing was.

Everything is created by Jesus, including faith

Heb 12:2 Having our eyes fixed on Jesus, the guide and end of our faith, who went through the pains of the cross, not caring for the shame, because of the joy which was before him, and who has now taken his place at the right hand of God's seat of power.
Luk 22:32 But I have made prayer for you, that your faith may not go from you: and when you are turned again, make your brothers strong.

D) How to check our faith

Who is going to make decision 1) You, yourself  2) Others, including pastor, 3) GOD

If your choice is no 1, then, you or anyone can go to heaven(John 3:16), of course, it would be a joke, since, no one can enter your house without your permission , it is also true for GOD’s house.

If you choose no 2, then, who can have such a power, also, can you trust that he will treat everyone fairly, so, there is no one can agree such an arbitrator, so, it can not be the right answer

So, the correct one should be no 3, since heaven is owned by GOD, let’s see how the Bible says:

2Co 13:5 Make a test of yourselves, if you are in the faith; make certain of yourselves. Or are you not conscious in yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you, if you are truly Christ's?

Have faith=Jesus live in you

But, how to do it:

Jhn 14:23 Jesus said to him in answer, If anyone has love for me, he will keep my words: and he will be dear to my Father; and we will come to him and make our living-place with him.

So, by following GOD’s will, Jesus will live in you

E) How to increase our faith?

Luk 17:5 And the twelve said to the Lord, Make our faith greater.
Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead even so faith without works is dead.

We can see the faith will grow by following GOD’s will, otherwise, it will be gradually fade away to death.

Heb 4:2 And, truly, the good news came to us, even as it did to them; but the hearing of the word did them no good, because they were not united in faith with the true hearers.

You need to have bigger faith in order to put in more GOD’s word - until you reach the level of perfection

Jas 2:22 You see that his faith was helping his works and was made complete by them;

F) Authority of faith

1Jn 5:4 Anything which comes from God is able to overcome the world: and the power by which we have overcome the world is our faith.
Jas 5:15 And by the prayer of faith the man who is ill will be made well, and he will be lifted up by the Lord, and for any sin which he has done he will have forgiveness.

G) GOD’s dominion

So, we have discussed related faith issues, however, there is still lack of one thing: GOD’s timing

Exo 33:19 And he said, I will make all the light of my being come before you, and will make clear to you what I am; I will be kind to those to whom I will be kind, and have mercy on those on whom I will have mercy.

So, we have to continue denying ourselves and we will have more faith.

Mat 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him give up all, and take up his cross, and come after me.

H) How to measure size of your faith

Large faith: Once verify and understand Bible word, will do it accordingly, even violate your belief or worldly thinkings.

Medium faith: After satisfying the requirements of Large faith, will look into how many times GOD have said so, also check with your own belief, before do it.

Small faith: After satisfying the requirements of Medium faith, and look into consequence of not following , if it is severe enough, then, will do it.

No faith: After satisfying the requirements of Small faith, will call other people, and gather the census and do it according to majority.

I) In conclusion: A believer should have corresponding behaviors , but please DO NOT use it to measure other people( See 8 Complaint), GOD will be our judge.