Introduction

Most words in our spiritual vocabulary are difficult to define. They denote something invisible and intangible to be understood in the Spirit. Words like love, peace, and faith are best defined in the Bible.

The author of the Book of Hebrews defines faith in these words: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (11:1). In our human nature we are prone to tell God, “Show me and I'll believe.” God's reply is, “Believe and I will show you.”

Bible Study

Remember to complete the Bible Study before you read the chapter or section; complete the Journal opportunities as they are placed.

1. After reading Hebrews 11:6; Romans 4:20–22; and Romans 5:1–2, how would you define faith?

2. Faith is an assurance that God's word is true and believing that God will act according to that word. Read and match the scripture with the correct phrase: Faith is …
___ Ephesians 2:8–9
___ Proverbs 3:5–6
___ 1 John 5:13–15
___ Romans 10:9–10
___ 1 John 5:1–5
___ Romans 5:1
___ Romans 1:5

a. To believe with your heart
b. To overcome the world
c. Gift of God
d. Assurance of approaching God
e. Trust in the Lord
f. Obedience
g. Justified through faith Where does Faith Come from?

There is an old Chinese tale about a little fish who overheard a fisherman saying to his friend, “Have you ever considered how essential water is? Without water everything would die.” The little fish fearfully exclaimed, “I must find water immediately.” Swimming rapidly and asking other fish in the lake where to find water, the reply was, “We have never heard of it.”

Out of the lake, into the river, then to the ocean the fish traveled. At last he found a wise old fish who said, “Water! You are in it now. You were born in it and have never been out of it.” The little fish cried, “I had water all the time and didn't know it!”

This parable is true about faith. You don't get it, can't buy it, don't find it, and can't borrow it. Faith is non-transferable. God endows every human being with faith. You were born with it. When a baby is born, God gives it faith just the same as arms and legs. How beautiful is the faith of a child! The important issue is to use your faith and nurture it to grow.

An infant first learns to have faith in its mother. Faith in the father is developed as the child grows. Then comes faith to believe in itself as it learns to walk, talk, and live in the world. Faith in people comes naturally. Faith in God grows out of a child's faith in parents, but parents are responsible to teach the child to have faith in God. Faith is like a muscle and must be exercised to make it grow.

One day the disciple said to Jesus, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you” (Luke 17:5–6). The power of faith is tremendous!

Following a busy day of teaching about the kingdom of God, Jesus bade the disciples to get into a boat and cross the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was tired and weary. He lay down in the boat and fell asleep. A furious storm came and the disciples were afraid. “The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don't you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still.’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ ” (Mark 4:38–40).

Fear is the great enemy of faith. The psalmist wrote, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you” (56:3). But better still are the words of Isaiah, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid” (12:2).

The presence of Jesus in the boat made the difference for the disciples. His presence in our lives also makes the difference when our storms of temptation, depression, financial distress, failures, disappointment, death, and all other difficulties come. When the waves and wind are beyond our control, the Master bids us to have faith. He still speaks, “Peace be still.” Faith conquers fear!

Journal: The story of Jesus asleep in the boat during the storm makes me feel …

Place your Faith in God

Everyone has faith in someone and some things. Faith is a natural quality of the human mind. The farmer has faith in nature. He does not see the harvest when he is planting but believes it will come. The patient has faith in a doctor's skill. A bride and groom express faith in marriage. An employee works hours in faith believing there will be a paycheck. We place a letter in the mail and believe it will be delivered. We have faith in automobiles, airplanes, and so on.

Journal: In what or who do I place my faith?

It is sad, however, to see so many people in our day who have lost faith in righteousness, truth, honor, decency—even God.

The Bible tells of misplaced faith. The Jews placed their faith in observing the law. Paul writes to the Galatians saying, “We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ know that a man is not justified by observing the Law (emphasis added), but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law” (2:15–16).

Journal: What religious practices do I place my faith in more than God?

Multitudes misplace faith by trusting in their wealth. How often we hear, “Money talks; it can get you anywhere.” But the scriptures say, “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall” (Proverbs 11:28). Paul writes to Timothy saying, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17).

Journal: How materialistic is my faith in God? When I pray, what do I ask for?

Faith is also misplaced when we trust in other humans for salvation. Too many people expect the preacher or priest to do their praying, serving, and giving for them. This is no more possible than believing you can be nourished by the food another eats or cleansed by the bath another takes. The psalmist writes, “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing” (146:3–4).

Journal: Are there persons in my life who are more important to me than God is?

The greater danger of misplaced faith is to believe in our own righteousness to save us. The apostle Paul writes to the Philippians saying, “Put no confidence in the flesh …” (3:3). He tells of his birth as a Hebrew and of his faultless, legalistic righteousness as a Pharisee. Then he [Paul] exclaims, “… not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith” (3:9).

Journal: Do I put more faith in my own abilities than in God's faithfulness?

We are so humanly prone to place our faith alone in ourselves. The Old Testament proverb reads, “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe” (28:26).

Jesus gives a stern warning in the parable of the rich fool. Luke records this story in chapter 12:16–20. The rich fool had faith in nature, himself, and wealth but never mentioned God. How many times can you count in the parable personal pronouns of I, me, my, and myself?

Self-esteem is imperative to succeed in life, but faith in God must have first place. The rich young ruler was a fool because he left God out, lived for himself, and prepared only for this world. What you possess in the world at the day of your death will belong to someone else; but what you are will be yours forever.

Faith placed in wealth can be of no value after this life; people often disappoint us; and so often we fail ourselves. Jesus has given us the true answer—“Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22).

Faith is Believing

The word believe means to accept as true or real. This action verb is essential to faith. Faith is more than wishful thinking. The scriptures teach, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). The biblical concept is more than repeating these words or even giving expression to our intellectual knowledge. To claim Jesus as Lord demands that we become his subjects and proclaim his Lordship over our lives. It also requires that we believe in Jesus as our Savior who “will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This means believing in the divinity and the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.

Journal: Checkpoint—Do I believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior?

To believe in God means we believe in God's Word. Therefore, our faith is grounded in the Bible. The Bible explains, “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart; that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is, with your mouth that you confess and are saved” (Romans 10:8–10).

Journal: Checkpoint—Do I believe that the Bible is the Word of God?

If you pray for God to save you and then say, “I know I'm saved because I feel better,” you have faith in your feelings rather than faith in the authority of God's Word. Some people have faith in dreams, visions, feelings or emotions. These all fail. Genuine faith is believing God's Word rather than any circumstance.

True believing brings action to our faith. I like the story of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment. She had been subject to hemorrhage in her body for twelve years. She had spent all she had under doctors' care but only grew worse. When she heard about Jesus she said to herself, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” We often read in the Bible about Jesus touching people; but here was a woman who came to touch him. Immediately her bleeding stopped and she was free from her suffering. When Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” she fell at his feet and told the whole truth. Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you” (Mark 5:25–34). This is the only recorded incident where Jesus calls a woman “daughter.”

How beautiful the thought that God's children believe and act on their faith! Without the action she would not have been healed. True believing brings action to our faith.

Journal: Checkpoint—Does my life prove my faith?

To increase our faith John, the beloved disciple, writes, “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30–31).

Faith is Trusting

Trust means having confidence; it means counting on the reliability of another; it suggests a relationship of dependence without reservation. It describes a faith that does not seek evidence. Trusting is an outward expression of faith.

Journal: Checkpoint—Does my life prove that I trust God?

Trust in God hinges on who we believe God to be. Our concept of God determines the depth of our trust. The scripture begins with the words, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). God spoke to Abraham and said, “I am God Almighty” (Genesis 17:1). Malachi writes God's words saying, “I the LORD do not change” (3:6). All these statements God makes concerning himself are awesome, but if this were all we knew about God we might conclude that God is a Supreme Deity far too great for a relationship with human beings.

Yet scripture continues to define God throughout its pages. It is Jesus who came to reveal God as “Our Father.” Jesus leads us to a relationship where we can talk with God and teaches us to address our prayers to God as “Father” (Luke 11:2). More wonderful is the revelation that “God is love” (1 John 4:7–12). Because of God's great love Jesus came into the world to save us from our sins (John 3:16–18). When we establish this relationship with God we learn to trust God. John the apostle writes, “… if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him” (1 John 3:21–22).

Trusting God is not difficult when all things are going well. Some people trust God on the condition that they receive everything they ask for. Yet scripture teaches that we must keep God's commands and do what pleases God, regardless of circumstances. When we love God supremely we desire God's will—and trust God's wisdom to answer our prayers with, “Yes,” “No,” or “Wait.”

Journal: What does my trust-level tell me about my concept of God?

The apostle Paul is a good example of utter trust in God—even when things were very difficult. How noteworthy are the apostle's words as he nears the time of his death and writes to Timothy, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6–7). Paul knew Jesus did not come to make life easy; but to make us great. His faith in God was strong enough to trust God in all circumstances. Faith is trusting.

Faith is Love in Action

The greatest thing in the world is love, but love without action is like a flower that never blooms. God loved us so much that God gave his son. When faith and love are combined, action naturally results. John writes, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:10–12).

Journal: Is my love theoretical or actual?

Mark writes the story of four men whose faith was expressed in love and concern for a paralytic. Jesus had come to Capernaum. Many people learned of his arrival and filled the house where Jesus was. While he preached to them, four men arrived carrying a paralytic on a stretcher. Seeing the crowd, they realized they could not get through to Jesus. This barrier could not defeat them. They had faith the paralytic would be healed if they could just get him to Jesus.

The four men went up on the roof and made it possible to let the invalid down from the rafters. “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ ” Later, “He said to the paralytic, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all” (Mark 2:5–12).

It is imperative that we take note that the four friends had the kind of faith that brought healing for the paralyzed man. Their love was expressed by exercising their faith for his healing. So often we fail to unite our faith with others to bring healing for those whose faith is weak. We are reminded that scripture teaches that the strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.

In the Book of James the question is asked,

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish man, do you, want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. (2:14–22)

Faith and works are like the two legs on your body. The reason there are so many spiritual cripples is that too many folks hop on only one leg. Always put your best foot of faith first and bring your other leg of works behind it. Genuine faith is true love in action.

Journal: On the basis of this definition, then, how faithful am I?

Faith is Power

Power may well be the defining term of our age. It seems that nearly everyone is seeking some kind of power over someone or something. We speak of nuclear power, power of wealth, the power of government, the power of the wind, but there is no power like the power of faith. It goes beyond the human level because it is the power of God. Even in our Christian lives, we limit ourselves because we are too content with living good moral lives by our own human strength.

The day after Palm Sunday, Jesus and his disciples were going from Bethany to Jerusalem. Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree that gave the appearance of having ripe figs. (Some trees in Jerusalem have figs before the leaves appear.) Jesus found the fig tree with only leaves. He said to the tree, “May you never bear fruit again!” The fig tree withered and died.

Jesus was teaching his disciples—and us—that to fulfill our purpose as Christians we must be fruitful. Only true, genuine fruitful Christians can expect to have faith with power.

When the disciples saw the fig tree wither so quickly, they were amazed. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:18–22). That's shocking! The power of faith is amazing!

Journal: How does my level of faith compare with this teaching?

Our mountains are sometimes made out of molehills, but that's not the kind of mountain Jesus was talking about. Let's look for some mountains faith can remove.

The mountain of fear was cast into the sea when Jesus calmed the raging waters. The disciples were overwhelmed with fear but Jesus spoke peace to the angry waves and the storm ceased (Mark 4:35–41).

When the four men brought the paralytic to Jesus, the scriptures say, “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’ ” (Mark 2:5). His mountain of sin was removed and healing came for both soul and body.

A mountain of disease disappeared the day a leper came to Jesus. “When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ And immediately the leprosy left him” (Luke 5:12–13).

Death had become a mighty mountain for the widow of Nain when her only son died. The corpse was being carried to a burial place. “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don't cry.’ Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother” (Luke 7:13–15).

There are many other mountains. It is true that the situations beyond our control are as difficult to remove from our lives as massive mountains. To some individuals bad habits, temptations, peer pressures, sins of selfishness or temper, can be conquered only by the power of faith in God.

Journal: What are the mountains in my life? Am I ready to trust God to level our mountains, or cast them into the sea?

Prayer is the key to heaven but faith unlocks the door. God's power can be released in our lives through faith. Faith has power to overcome the world. John writes, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Paul writes to the Ephesians saying, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (2:8–9).

Faith releases the power to bring peace to a troubled soul. It is written, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:1–2).

This faith also enables us to live a victorious Christian life. With Paul, the apostle, we may also say, “The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Journal: What is the most important new idea I have learned throughout this chapter, and what am I going to do about it?

Summary

Faith is an adventure with God through the Word and the Spirit. It is God's gift to us through Jesus Christ. It is believing, trusting, and putting our love into action with works. Faith releases God's power into and through our lives.

Yes—“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

Chapter Two
Is Doubting Wrong?

Introduction

There are various meanings for the word “doubt.” Most commonly we think of it as questioning, lack of certainty, hesitating to believe or accept, mistrust, skepticism.

Doubt can be healthy and profitable; or it can produce abnormal fear that paralyzes victorious living. Constructive doubt leads to faith. There is some doubt in every individual. It will serve to either help or hinder growth and maturity. Dr. C. E. Brown in his book The Way of Faith (Warner Press, 1943, 22–23) says, “Doubt is simply faith running backward.” He used the illustration of an automobile. We will call the engine faith, for the engine is the power that drives the automobile. Faith is the power that drives persons. There are not two engines. The same engine drives forward or backward—faith is positive; doubt is negative. When the engine moves forward in constructive, positive ways, we call it faith; when the engine is backing up in negative ways and denials, we call it doubt.

Journal: Is my transmission in drive or reverse?

Bible Study

1. The First Doubter
Read Genesis 3:1–6

a. Who planted the first doubt?

b. Who was the first person to doubt what God had said?

2. Other Doubters Read the scripture and write the name of the person who doubted.

Scripture: Genesis 17:17 Name:

Scripture: Matthew 11:1–6 Name:

Scripture: Numbers 20:12 Name:

Scripture: Matthew 14:27–31 Name:

Scripture: Matthew 28:16–17 Name:

3. Jesus Saves from Doubt

Read Matthew 14:22–34
Who came to rescue the disciples in the storm?

What caused Peter to fall?

Write below the question Jesus asked Peter (verse 31).

Satan—the Source of Dangerous Doubts

Satan's first attack on humanity was to cause Eve to doubt what God said. Satan said to Eve in the garden of Eden,

Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”? The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ”
(Genesis 3:1–3)

Satan failed to convince Eve that God had not said it. Then he planted the doubt concerning the consequences. He implied that God did not mean what he said. This led Eve to doubt God's word. This led to her sin. The beguiling serpent lied, telling Eve, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4).

Satan's strategy has not changed. His old tactics for planting doubt about God and his sacred word continues to deceive people with doubts. Satan perverts the innate quest of the human mind for evidence, facts, and truth. God created us with a desire for knowledge and gave us an inquisitive intellect. When doubt sends us in search of truth, doubt can be constructive for building faith and character. When the motive for doubts is to rationalize in order to get our own way, as Eve did, it is exposure to evil.

Journal: What is the source and the end of my doubt?

It is imperative that God be understood as the supreme authority. It is equally imperative that God's Word be totally accepted as perfect truth. These two fundamental imperatives give a solid foundation to build a faith that is secure. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

The scripture has answers to our doubts. Paul writes to the Romans saying, “What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar” (3:3–4). When you are tempted to doubt that there is a God turn to your Bible. It is written, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’ ” (Psalm 14:1). Two thousand six hundred times in the Old Testament God tells you he is speaking.

“The Word of the Lord came to Abram.”
(Genesis 15:1)

“This is what the Lord says.”
(1 Kings 12:24)

“For the Lord has spoken.”
(Isaiah 1:2)

“Your word, O Lord, is eternal.”
(Psalm 119:89)

In the New Testament Jesus confirms the truth that the scriptures are God's Words. In making reply to the Sadducees he inquired, “Have you not read what God said to you?” (Matthew 22:31).

Journal: What do I believe about the Bible?

Repeatedly the scriptures have been challenged. They have never been proven wrong. You can trust your Bible. Doubts diminish in the light of God's Word as the dark clouds of night fade with the rising of the morning sun.

When Doubt Becomes Sin and Unbelief

Doubts will lead you to seek or drive you away from truth. The unbelieving Jews chose to reject Jesus as the Son of God and continue in their stubborn unbelief. The Gospel of John tells this story. Jesus had gone to the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. “The Jews gathered around him saying, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. “Jesus answered, ‘I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep’ ” (10:24–26). These Jews were not honest in their doubts. They refused to accept truth—even with evidence. Persons who choose their own will above what God has said, no longer “doubt”—nor do they seek understanding; they willfully reject what God has made known. Doubting is very dangerous when it leads to unbelief.

Journal: On a continuum between doubt and faith, where am I? Nearer to which? On the basis of where I am, am I in danger?

Doubt is a robber. When God told Moses to send twelve men to explore the land of Canaan he made a promise. God said “… explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites” (Numbers 13:2). Ten of those men came back with the report filled with doubts. They said, “The cities are fortified and very large. The people are very powerful. We are as grasshoppers in their sight and also in our own sight” (Numbers 13:28, 33). They chose doubts and fear rather than to believe God in faith. Only two men, Joshua and Caleb, had faith and courage believing they should take the land. Israel was robbed of victory because of doubts.

How often we are also robbed. Satan has the power to deceive and create doubt. God promises victory for our faith. It is imperative that we control our doubts rather than to have our doubts control us. The author of the Book of Hebrews warns us saying, “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness” (3:12–13). Never permit doubts to rob you of the heavenly home God promises to those who believe.

Journal: Of what have I been robbed by my doubts?

Don't be a Doubting Thomas

In my mind, there is no doubt that Thomas has been over-praised as a fine type of the thoughtful and reverent doubter who must slowly find his way to a living faith. The skepticism of Thomas borders on defiance. The other disciples refused at first on the evidence of the women, but Thomas refused to believe on the testimony of the ten apostles. His persistent doubt demanded to see and feel rather than to accept by faith.

Thomas possessed a nature which contained within it certain conflicting elements exceedingly difficult of reconciliation. He had little natural buoyancy of spirit. He was so much a pessimist. His doubts dominated him. John, the beloved disciple, records the most information about Thomas. When Jesus and his disciples were in Perea the news came concerning the death of Lazarus. All the disciples except Thomas urged Jesus not to go to see the family of Lazarus because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Thomas said, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (John 11:16). Was this courage or fatalistic pessimism? On the eve of the Passion, Thomas put forth the question, “Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5). In this he revealed an insensitivity to what Jesus had taught, which came from an unwillingness to believe.

After the Crucifixion, Thomas was not present when the Risen Christ first appeared to the disciples. Thomas missed the fellowship of the disciples and the comfort found in sharing with one another. He missed the message Jesus gave to the disciples explaining his death and resurrection. He also missed the commission Jesus gave to the disciples. But more sad is the fact that his absence put him on the side of unbelievers.

However, Thomas did not cut himself off completely from the other disciples. The Lord's Day after Easter, he is present with them in the upper room. When Jesus appeared in their midst he invites Thomas to touch him and to put his hand into Jesus' side. The Lord said, “Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas then replied, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:27–29). This is the last beatitude Jesus gave. Someone has said, “Thomas doubted that we might have no doubts.” It is more blessed to walk by faith than to walk by sight. “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Journal: Am I a doubting Thomas? Has it kept me from Jesus and fellowship? What shall I do about it?

Jesus Leads from Doubt to Faith

Three of the gospel writers relate the story of Jesus healing a boy with an evil spirit. (Both Mark and Luke identify Matthew's case of epilepsy as demon-possession.) When Jesus, Peter, James, and John came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, the afflicted boy and his father were in conversation with the other disciples and people standing nearby. Peter is noted for faith; James is labeled with hope; and John is distinguished as love. In the presence of Jesus with faith, hope, and love around, you can see doubts begin to disappear. The father appeals to Jesus explaining the serious condition of his son. The afflicted boy suffers seizures.

The father said, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

Jesus replied, “How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” The father then said to Jesus, “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“ ‘If you can?’ ” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (from Mark 9:17–24 emphasis added). Jesus heals the boy—even though the father's faith is limited. Jesus tells us, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed … nothing will be impossible” (Matthew 17:20). God finds us where we are in our faith. God also banishes doubts and increases our faith.

Jesus' Resurrection Removes Doubts

A disturbing statement is recorded in John's Gospel regarding the Lord's brothers. It reads, “For even his own brothers did not believe in him” (John 7:5).

We may think it would be easier to believe in the divinity of Jesus if we saw him in the flesh. Surely, his miracles would have taken all our doubts away, but do we believe in Christ because of his miracles; or do we believe in miracles because we believe in Christ? To believe in the incarnation of the miracle worker as the divine Son of God, Emmanuel, creates faith that the miracles are credible.

Journal: Where am I? Do I believe in Jesus because of what he can do for me, or because I love him?

It would have been difficult to believe your mother gave birth to God in human flesh. Not until the resurrection do Jesus' brothers believe him to be God incarnate. When Paul lists the postresurrection appearances of Jesus, it is so good to read, “Then he appeared to James” (1 Corinthians 15:7). Jesus never appears to unbelievers after the resurrection. Some of us would have been prone to appear before the enemies who crucified us and say, “See I told you I would rise again.” But Jesus never gloated over his enemies.

It is blessed to know that James, the half-brother of Jesus, identified the risen Lord. Just as credibility comes with a family member's ability to identify a dead body beyond doubt, so James believed Jesus arose from the dead and without doubt became a follower. It also adds to the credibility of the resurrection when Luke records the listing of persons in the upper room at Jerusalem awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit.

He writes, “Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers” (Acts 1:13–14). All doubts were removed—because Jesus lives!

It is interesting to observe what James says about doubts.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
(James 1:2–8)

It is evident that James is saying that anyone who is overwhelmed with doubts is insecure, like a wave in the sea; blown and tossed with the wind. Doubters are usually negative persons. The Holy Spirit came into the world to give us spiritual power for overcoming our doubts. Jesus is a positive example. Knowledge of the scriptures will give us a positive faith. We can have a know-so experience in Christ where doubts are banished.

Journal: Do I have a know-so experience in Christ? How would I describe relationship with him?

In his letters, the apostle Paul expresses a confident faith. Paul writes, “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). Never let Satan rob you of the faith to believe God has saved you.

John includes the word know in many of his writings. In his first epistle he writes, “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his Word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did” (1 John 2:3–6).

We can believe we are saved without even a shadow of a doubt. John explains, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers” (1 John 3:14). “We know that we are children of God” (1 John 5:19). In the conclusion of John's letter he says,

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:13–15)

The best way to cancel doubts is to be filled with faith.

Journal: What is my level of certainty?

Summary

Doubt is a necessary element in every individual's life. Constructive, honest, inquiring doubt precedes faith. Much doubt comes from a lack of knowledge. Doubt is persistent but can become a search for truth which will establish a strong foundation.

Unhealthy doubt creates fear, steals self-esteem, hinders God's power, and leads to the sin of unbelief.

Distrustful doubters live far beneath their abilities for happiness and success, never finding fulfillment of purpose.

Jesus came to deliver us from fear, cast out doubt, grant victory over defeat. Your doubts can become stepping stones to faith or they can weigh you down to defeat and despair.

Never let your doubts cut you off from the fellowship of other Christians. Walk in the light of truth you have and more light will come to you. Share your doubts with sincere Christian friends. True faith will conquer honest doubts.

Chapter Three
Steps to Building Faith

Introduction

Reading the “faith chapter,” Hebrews 11:1–39, is like walking through the Faith Hall of Fame. Portraits of the heroes of faith challenge us with a deep desire for their kind of faith. It must be noted, however, that they were all heroes of the Old Testament. The chapter concludes with these words: “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (39–40).

The New Testament reveals what God had planned. Jesus came to teach us how to acquire the faith that fulfills the Old Testament promises. The Faith Hall of Fame is not yet complete. Faith heroes have been found in every generation. A New Testament hero of faith helps us to understand step by step the process of developing faith. Jesus gave his finest compliment concerning faith to a Roman centurion. Jesus said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel” (Luke 7:9).

Bible Study

Read Luke 7:1–10.

1. Who was sick and why did the centurion seek for his healing?

2. Who did the centurion send to ask Jesus for help?

3. Why did the Jews say the centurion deserved to have Jesus answer his request?

4. Why did the centurion say it was not necessary for Jesus to come into his house?

Impressive Faith

Impressions are important. Some people are impressed with wealth, skill, beauty, fame, influential power. We live in a world where people are trying to impress other people. Has it ever occurred to you to ask, “How do I impress Jesus?” Impressions are always being made. Sometimes they are good; sometimes they aren't. It is foolish to try impressing Jesus with wealth—he owns all of it. Human skills can't make a great impact on the Lord—we acquire skill only as God gives the ability. We do marvel at nature and its beauty; but Jesus knows the great Creator has stamped his signature on all creation. You can't impress Jesus with worldly fame—he never coveted that. The meager power of human influence is unimpressive in the presence of our Lord who has all power in heaven and earth. Indeed, Jesus has made a great impression on us—what can we do to impress him?

Journal: What kind of impression do I make on Jesus?

One day the disciples tried to impress Jesus with the temple buildings. The buildings really were magnificent! Scripture says, “Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. ‘Do you see all these things?’ he asked. ‘I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down’ ” (Matthew 24:1–2). Jesus was not impressed with material things.

There are, however, some events that did impress our Lord. Jesus was impressed when Peter made the great confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). A poor widow woman impressed Jesus when she placed her offering in the treasury of the temple. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43–44). Her sacrifice impressed Jesus.

Faith Comes by Hearing God's Word

There must be knowledge for faith to develop. The first step for the centurion to have faith was to hear about Jesus. Paul, writing to the Romans, says, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Faith grows out of God's word.

Remembering the words in Hebrews 11:6—“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”—we are assured that God provides faith for us. It would be inconsistent for God to require faith and not make it possible for us to acquire it.

We are not told who shared the good news of Jesus' power to heal with the centurion. Some believers must have told him of our Lord's miracles. Never forget the power of witnessing for Christ. Your testimony may be the inspiration of faith for a miracle. The centurion was trained, and experienced in knowing the power of authority and command. He believed that Christ was a man of authority and power in the realm of the spirit.

The centurion could issue a command and set in motion the operation of certain laws of government. So Christ could speak and set into operation certain spiritual laws of the universe. This is the reason the centurion sent word to Jesus that it was not necessary to come in person to heal his servant. He said, “But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it” (Luke 7:7–8).

The centurion believed that only a word from the “Divine Tribune” was all that was needed to release his servant from his illness. He was a man who kept his word, and so it was not hard for him to believe that God would keep his.

Journal: Do I keep my word? What level of honesty and integrity do I have before God?

God speaks his word to us in the scriptures. Faith becomes stronger as we read, meditate, and seek understanding of the Bible. Faith is hearing God speak in the Bible—and believing his word.

The second step of faith is to make contact with Jesus. There was a Roman garrison stationed in Capernaum, presumably numbering about one hundred men. The centurion was the commanding officer. His authority was comparable to that of the rank of captain. He heard Jesus was in Capernaum. He knew of Jesus' miracles. This inspired his faith to request his Jewish friends to take the request to Jesus for the healing of his servant.

Prayer is our contact with God. What sunshine does for a flower, prayer will do for our faith. Someone has said, “Prayer is like a phone booth; when you shut the door the light comes on.” It is imperative that we close the door to negative thoughts and attitudes, and the light of positive faith will put us in contact with God. I have a beautiful lamp my husband gave me for a birthday gift; however it never gives light until the connection is made with the electricity. Although the world is full of electric energy, it cannot make the lamp light without a connection. Our most beautiful words and phrases are meaningless unless we contact God. Even though God has all power in heaven and earth, we must make the connection.

Visiting the Dome of the Rock, the Mosque of Omar, in Jerusalem, you observe the worship of the Muslims. The magnificent dome completed in AD 691 houses a sacred rock. This rock hallowed by Muslims is believed to be the rock where Abraham was going to sacrifice his son, Isaac. They also believe Mohammed ascended to heaven from this rock. When the Muslims pray they fall on their faces, measure themselves forward, stand and repeat the same action until they are close enough to touch the sacred rock. According to their faith, their prayers are to be answered when they have touched the rock.

Jesus is our rock. Paul writes to the Corinthians reminding them of the Israelites when Moses led them through the wilderness. “They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:2–4). It is when we have touched the rock that is Christ that we may exercise faith to believe our prayers will be answered. He is truly the rock on which the church is built (Matthew 16:18). The measure of a person is to know if one is tall enough to reach God when on one's knees.

Journal: How would I characterize my prayer life? Have I touched the rock, Jesus, or am I still trying to build my own life?

The third step of faith is to be in right relationship with God and humankind. It is essential to be a child of God in order to have the faith that our prayers will be answered. To acknowledge God as our Father fosters childlike faith. All disobedience must be confessed and forgiven to give assurance of answered prayer. The psalmist has written, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18). Our attitudes toward other people must also be Christian. Grudges, malice, hatred, bitterness, or an unforgiving spirit will block our faith.

Journal: How would I characterize my relationship with God—how much like the centurion am I?

A good relationship between the centurion and his Jewish friends is expressed by their testimony concerning him. They told Jesus, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue” (Luke 7:4–5). For a Roman to love the Jewish nation to the measure that he would build a synagogue reveals something about his character. He was not a bigot. He believed in worshiping God. His attitude toward people who were “different” was commendable. You will also note the centurion gave money for a synagogue. He was not selfish. Our stewardship of possessions, time, talent, and money has something to do with our measure of faith.

Paul writes, “Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6–8).

Observe that giving is a matter of the heart. The scripture reads, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give” (verse 7). This is the real secret to giving sacrificially. Until the concern and burden is on one's heart to give because of love, no one gives to the point of sacrifice. God so loved that he gave—it was a matter of God's heart when he gave Jesus.

Vibrant Christians with a faith that impresses Jesus will also impress him with their tithe and sacrificial offerings. Giving is a matter of the will. The scripture says, “has decided”; this is an action of our will. We do not need a great emotional appeal or sob story to pressure us into giving. The gift or offering is not to be done “reluctantly or under compulsion.”

Giving is also a matter of faith. Verse 8 reads, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work.” We believe that in the natural world if we sow sparingly we will also reap sparingly. Does it not also imply that if we invest little in the Lord's work we will also reap little?

Journal: Am I a cheerful or reluctant giver? Is my life a life of giving or taking?

The fourth step to faith is a humble attitude. The centurion sent word to Jesus when he was near the barracks saying, “Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you” (Luke 7:6–7). Even when we have done our best we are “unworthy servants” (verse 10). We are never in a position to command or demand anything from God. Faith never comes from a proud and arrogant spirit. We never have the right to give God orders. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8 emphasis added). Even the fields of grain show where the difference is between the wheat and tares. The heads of wheat bow down heavy with grain. But the tares stiffly hold their heads erect. The most fruitful Christians bow low in humility Unbelievers remain too proud to bow before the Lord.

There is no other religion in the world that has a God so humble that he kneels to wash the feet of his followers. “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Our fifth step to faith is to ask with a believing heart. Asking is essential. Jesus said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8), but he also said to the disciples, “Until now you have not asked anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24). The centurion would not have received the answer to his request if he had not asked, and asked with a believing heart. There was no doubt in his heart. It is significant that it was the faith of the centurion—not the faith of the sick servant—that brought the healing. We remember that James writes, “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up” (James 5:15).

Step number six is to ask in the name of Jesus. Our Lord promised, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:13–14).

To the Hebrew, “name” means more than a proper appellation; it also indicates nature, character, and reputation. Sometimes you hear the phrase, “make a name for yourself.” We do not mean to think up a new name for yourself. Instead, we are describing a personality and reputation. Jesus is saying that when you pray in his name you ask for things that are in character with the very nature and attributes of God. He never signed a blank check to be cashed in heaven's bank allowing us to fill in the request. Rather, our prayers are appeals through Jesus, and they are not valid until his signature is clearly written on them. All prayer requests to be honored by God must bring glory to his name. We should not ask for things with selfish motives or to bring glory to ourselves. They are not in Jesus' name.

It is faith in the name of Jesus that brings salvation. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). It is in his name healing is received. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk’ ” (Acts 3:6). Jesus broadens the scope of faith by saying, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father” (John 14:13). Asking in Jesus' name is another way of expressing, “God's will be done.”

The seventh and last step to faith is often the most difficult of all—to receive and accept without doubt. The moment Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would” (Matthew 8:13), the centurion returned to his servant and found him healed at the very hour Jesus had spoken. The centurion did not require signs, ask for instructions, or insist that the physical presence of Jesus reach the suffering servant. The word from Jesus was sufficient.

Journal: If I rate myself by the seven steps listed in this chapter, am I faithful or faithless?

What will my prayer be?

Fill your mind, heart, and soul with promises of God. Take God at his word. Never box God into your limited strategy. Remember God's time table may be different than yours. God is the God who never makes mistakes and is never late. God often gives us something better than the things we ask for. Have faith in God!

Summary

Most of Jesus' miracles happened so quickly we can't analyze them. We have shared the miracle of the Roman centurion's faith in slow motion, to find the steps that led to Jesus commending him for his great faith. Faith must begin with hearing God's Word. Our contact through prayer is imperative. A right relationship with God and humankind removes hindrances to faith. A humble attitude makes access to God's presence to ask our petitions with a believing heart in the name of Jesus.

The giant step is to accept and believe without doubt. We have observed that not only in the miracle of healing the centurion's servant, but also in the faith expressed by a Roman centurion. Let us repeatedly retrace these steps to faith until our Lord will also commend us for our faith.

Chapter Four
Faith Alive!

Introduction

Faith is like a seed. When it is planted in the rich soil of God's word, new life springs forth. The plant is fed and nurtured as its roots reach down deep into the scriptures. As a flower is drawn toward the sun, prayer is as sunshine drawing our faith to the Son of God. The Holy Spirit descends like rain bringing growth and maturity to our faith. True, genuine faith is touched by the divine gardener who cultivates it with trials, burdens, and victories. There is a striking difference between positive thinking alone and divine faith that knows no limit.

Positive thinking, plus positive obedience to God, plus positive praying, equal supernatural faith in an Almighty God.

Bible Study

1. In whom did Jesus say we should have faith (Mark 11:22–25)?

2. By what power was Paul enabled to live a victorious life of faith (Galatians 2:20)?

3. How did Jesus express his faith in the Father's will (John 6:38–40; Luke 22:42)?

4. How is it possible for you to have faith to know God's will for your life (Ephesians 5:17)?

Faith in a Great God

How big is your God? Big enough to meet all your needs? Big enough to give sufficient grace to you for control of life's problems? Some people have a God who is too small. If we are going to trust God in all circumstances, it is imperative that we realize something about God's character.

Journal: How big is my God?

Humanity could never know God if God chose to hide from us. But God chose to enter into relationship with us and makes that known to us in a remarkable number of ways. God discloses a magnificent creative power in creation to display his handiwork. A little old lady was being heckled about having a God who sent an earthquake. She retorted, “It makes me mighty proud to know my God is big enough to shake the earth!”

You know God is omnipresent when you see God's feet on every page of history in all generations. God's omniscient eyes are everywhere—not even a sparrow falls that God does not see!

God's ears are always open. No wonder David said, “I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:1–2). If you want to see God's face, look at Jesus. He said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). To find God's heart, go to Calvary. How big is God? The earth and heavens cannot contain this God who is everywhere (2 Chronicles 6:18).

A young lad named Zachary was coming across the railroad tracks on his way home from a little white church. A surly old gentleman spotted him from the park bench where he was sitting. When Zachary came close enough, the cynical old man said to him, “Where you been, kid?” “To church, sir,” was the reply. The agnostic in ridicule uttered, “To church for what?” “To worship God,” Zachary proudly answered. The contemptuous old man pulled a shiny dime from his pocket. Offering it to Zachary he said, “Tell me where God is and you may have this dime.” Quick as a flash Zachary waved a crisp new one dollar bill in the face of the heckler. With a grin of triumph he exclaimed, “I'll give you my birthday dollar if you can tell me where he ain't.”

There are promises for salvation, sanctification, healing, deliverance, comfort, eternal life and many more things. God's promises never fail! (1 Kings 8:56). God's word is always kept; however, we must note that God's promises are conditional. There is always our part to be done; then God will do as promised.

Knowing God's will Increases Faith

How can a person really know the will of God? This question is asked by new Christians and mature Christians, by business executives and common laborers, by professors and students, by educated and uneducated individuals. When we discover God's will for our lives, our confidence that God will answer our prayers is strengthened. Our faith is alive when we are living according to God's will.

Here are two fundamental assumptions about God's will that grow out of the study of scripture.

A. God has a Universal will that Applies to all People.

It is God's will that all human beings be saved. “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9; see also 1 Timothy 2:4). God is not secretive about his will for us. God has revealed in the Bible what his will is.

The Bible states that it is also God's will that all people live holy lives. “It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable” (1 Thessalonians 4:3–4).

God's will reveals his desire for the unity of all believers. In Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “That all of them may be one” (John 17:21). Paul writes to the Ephesians, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all through all and in all” (4:3–6).

It is God's will for his children to be well in body, mind, and soul. When John wrote to Gaius he said, “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2). Two-thirds of the deeds of Jesus are accounts of his healing power. “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:2–3). The only limit to God's power is the limit of our belief.

Journal: If God desires holiness for me, what ethic should govern my life?

B. God also has a Specific will for the Individual.

The God who made a separate pattern for every snowflake, an individual design for every leaf, a purpose for even a little worm, an original model for every human being, did not overlook a special will for each individual. God is not playing a game of hide-and-seek with us concerning that blueprint. Paul explains, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1–2).

Abiding Faith

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV). Paul does not mean to imply that hope and faith are not important. Each has its place and can't be substituted for the other. Love can't substitute for faith. Neither can hope do what faith must accomplish. Too often we hope for answers to our prayers rather than believe our prayers are answered. Faith gives evidence and substance to the things hoped for. Hope is essential. Hope looks to the future. How wonderful to know hope abides. Love is unconditional acceptance. God's kind of love is unending—love abides. Faith sees the answer, believes, and makes a claim—now! But it is so necessary to have a faith that abides. Faith keeps on living even when answers to our prayers are delayed or denied.

Contagious Faith

The saying “Faith is more often caught than taught” is true. Our study of the “Faith Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11 inspired our faith with new vision. God is the same today as when he spoke to Abraham, who is called the “father of the faithful.” Abraham's faith was in God's promise. The scriptures declare,

Therefore the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ (Romans 4:16–18)

We are that offspring: “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). There is something contagious about the faith of Noah, Moses, Paul, and other Bible heroes, but such a faith is not confined to the people of the Bible.

Journal: Do you remember saints in your generation whose living faith made you desire to be near them when they prayed? Do you know persons who are living heroes of faith today, whose faith is contagious with an infectious power of God's Word? Who are they?

Let's sincerely pray for a contagious faith to effectually import to others the excitement, enthusiasm, and anticipation of a living faith.

Faith in Yourself

“I can do everything through him [Christ] who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Self-esteem is as important to faith as oxygen is to breathing. Remember, you are God's child. God has created you in his image. Have faith in the abilities God has given to you. Inferiority and inadequacy interfere with our faith.

Faith is the key to success for every human being; or it is the negative lock that imprisons the human being from ever experiencing success. As a positive power, faith promises the realization of things hoped for. As a negative force it is the premonition of our deepest fears.

Journal: Visualize in your mind a picture of yourself being victorious in your life of faith. What do you see?

Repeat positive scriptures like, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Cancel your negative thoughts with a positive word from the Lord like, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (verse 28).

The Power of Corporate Faith

The proper attitude of self-respect brings us to the right relationship with other people. When Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), he is telling us that we must have love for ourselves in order to love other people. The unhappy person has no happiness to share with others. Severe criticism of ourselves leads to rigorous criticism of others, but faith in God and in ourselves fosters faith in other people.

Journal: In regard to my self-respect, do I have a good or unhealthy sense of who I am as a child of God?

Journal: Am I a trusting person? Do I see a relationship between the answers to this question and the previous one? What is it?

Have you ever thought that Jesus needed someone to carry his cross? Why did God not give Jesus some extra miraculous strength? We must understand that all of us have times when we need the faith of others. God designed it that way. Paul's prayer to the Ephesian Christians is also a prayer for us. Paul prayed,

I pray that out of his glorious riches [God] may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! (3:16–21)

Summary

In these days of crisis there is no room for mediocre faith. All too often we are prone to accept life just as it comes because our faith is dormant. There is power in a living faith to change our world. This is no time to use prayer only as a panic button, fire escape, or spare tire.

Living faith must be founded in a living God. There is power in God's word to create a universe; rule all the powers of nature; cure illness of body, mind, and soul; greatest of all, the power to defeat Satan, setting us free from sin and evil.

Faith is the medium that connects us with this divine power. Prayer is the channel for transmitting the divine energy. Prayer has been defined as “offering up our desires unto God for things agreeable to his will, believing in faith to receive them.”

Faith is increased by knowing God's will. God has not hidden his will to watch us seek it out throughout our lifetime. God has revealed his universal will in the Holy Spirit, the scriptures, circumstances, and through people. A contagious faith is the evidence of our faith being alive. Faith in ourselves is imperative. Faith in other people is very necessary. But all faith must be centered in God. Mountain-moving faith must begin with one who is bigger than the mountain—This Is Faith In Action!

Journal: The single most important idea that I have learned in reading this book on faith is:

Journal: The single most important action I am going to take based on what I have learned is:

The person I am going to tell about this new understanding and change is:

[ The End ]