FAITH

Faith is the foundation of Christianity. Some denominations have faith as their primary doctrine. Members of all denominations are encouraged to have and exercise faith. But do you understand what faith is and do you have it? This article is designed to help you determine your level of faith and homework assignments to help you increase the faith you do have.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?

Talking about faith is one thing; practicing and expanding it is another. The Apostle Paul challenged the Corinthians concerning this subject.

1 Corinthians 4:19-20 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. ²⁰For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

It is easy to say, “I have faith,” but is there any evidence of faith in your life? If there is, wonderful! If not, some changes must be made.

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.” This Scripture identifies that biblical faith has two facets: 1. You must believe (be live) that God exists. 2. You must believe (be live) that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Without both of these functional in your life, you are not pleasing to God and you are not receiving all the benefits that God intends for you. Satan has no power, but he constantly attempts to slowly move you from a position of faith and hope into a position of depression or passivity. He is a robber and a thief, but he can only be successful if you let him.

Take the following test to see if you are pleasing to God.

Definition Of Faith

Below are two definitions that I believe are consistent with the Bible.

1.	You become so convinced of the truth and reality of Jesus and the promises, provisions, and power that He, The Father, and the Holy Spirit have made available to you, that you will commit yourself, your life, your energy, and all you have without reservation and without wavering to Them and their direction to you, in spite of circumstances, opposition, natural evidence, or opposing counsel.

	This kind of faith is based on a personal revelation of reality of God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and your commitment to them.

2.	Faith can be further defined as having so much confidence in a revelation (Rhema) that the Holy Spirit (God) has given you that you will “be live” it, or commit whatever is required to act upon it, regardless of circumstances, objections, or obstacles, until it comes to pass.

	True Faith is always based on revelation or Rhema from the Holy Spirit.

TYPES OF BIBLICAL FAITH

In researching faith, I found that I could identify at least four types of biblical faith.

1.	Saving Faith -- God gives you the faith to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to commit yourself to His Lordship. You believe that the death of Jesus can be a complete substitute for the penalty you have earned for the sins you have committed. You believe that God will accept you as His child.

2.	The Gift of Faith -- One of the 9 gifts God has given to various members of the church. This kind of faith has more than one purpose, including: a. To distinguish the church from false religions that have no power. b. To be a gift and blessing to the church. c. To identify different parts of the body.
The gift of faith is a supernatural impartation by the Holy Spirit of the ability to sustain an unwavering trust in God to fulfill a revelation (Rhema) He has given you.

3.	Imparted (Grace) Faith -- Faith that is imparted to you to accomplish a specific task. You did nothing to get it. You are just a conduit for God to use to accomplish something. It comes only when God wills it, and not necessarily when you want it or others want you to have it. Sometimes you have it and sometimes you do not.

4.	Experiential Faith - You have a revelation of the power, provisions, and promises God has made available to you, and you have seen God do what He says He will do so often that you consider it normal to expect and anticipate the stated results. This kind of faith is based on experience. It is like flipping a light switch. You expect a light to come on. You are only surprised when it does not come on.

Experiential faith comes as a result of practicing the first three kinds of faith over and over again. Each time you see the biblical results you become more confident.

You have experiential faith after many times seeing God do what He has said He would do. You come to believe that God will never fail to keep His Word if you will exercise the faith given you with patience. Experiential faith is what some might call trust. You have come to the place where you trust God’s Rhema Word to do what He declares. There are no doubts or fears. Behold, God said it. It will come to pass.

PROTECTION (Yourself Or Others -- Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Or Property) Psalm 91:1-10 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ²I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." ³Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. ⁴He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. ⁵You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, ⁶nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. ⁷A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. ⁸You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. ⁹If you make the Most High your dwelling--even the Lord, who is my refuge-- ¹⁰then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

EVALUATION OF YOUR FAITH FOR PROTECTION Check Yes Or No For Each Of The Questions Below
YES	NO	SITUATION OR TYPE OF PROTECTION
		Do you feel safe in every situation or circumstance?
		Are you ever afraid? What if you were in a bad neighborhood?
		Are you concerned about fire in your house? Do you have a smoke detector?
		Are you absolutely sure that no one will steal your car?
		Are you sure that you will never have a wreck in your car?
		Are you afraid of animals, heights, bugs, snakes, frogs, lizards?
		Can people hurt or wound you (emotionally or physically)?
		Are you always sure of your salvation? No doubts?

PROVISION

Matthew 6:27-33 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

EVALUATION OF YOUR FAITH FOR PROVISION Check Yes Or No For Each Of The Questions Below
YES	NO	SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE
		Do you look to Christ for all of your provision?
		Do you trust your job or company to provide for you?
		Will God leave you destitute?
		Should you just sit around and wait on God to supply?

HEALING

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

EVALUATION OF YOUR FAITH FOR HEALING Check Yes Or No For Each Of The Questions Below
YES	NO	SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE
		Do you trust doctors and medicine for healing more often than you do Christ?
		Would you rather die than not fully trust Christ for healing?
		Will Christ always heal you? The question is not can He heal.
		Could you throw away all of your medications?
		Are there things that a person should not ask Christ to heal?
		Could you care for a person with a highly-contagious disease?

MIRACLES

John 14:12-14 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. ¹⁴You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

EVALUATION OF YOUR FAITH FOR MIRACLES Check Yes Or No For Each Of The Questions Below
YES	NO	SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE
		If you broke your leg or arm, would you trust Christ to restore it?
		Would you go to a doctor if you had cancer?
		Can you believe God to fill cavities in your teeth?
		Do you believe that you could feed 200 people with a handful of flour and one fish?
		If your car broke down, would you believe God to fix it if you had no money?

DELIVERANCE

Colossians 1:13-14 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

EVALUATION OF YOUR FAITH FOR DELIVERANCE Check Yes Or No For Each Of The Questions Below
YES	NO	SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE
		Are you safe from demons?
		Can demons harm you?
		Can Satan control your actions or thoughts?
		Are you afraid of demon-possessed people?
		Are you willing to try to cast out demons from others?
		Are psychiatrists better equipped to deal with mentally disturbed people than you?

TO CHANGE PEOPLE OR THE COURSE OF EVENTS

John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

1 John 3:21-22 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God ²²and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.

EVALUATION OF YOUR FAITH TO CHANGE PEOPLE OR THE COURSE OF EVENTS Check Yes Or No For Each Of The Questions Below
YES	NO	SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE
		Is God changing your mate into His image?
		Are you going to become like Jesus in this life?
		Is God going to change your financial situation?
		Is God working things out so that your ministry will be fulfilled?
		Are your children going to serve the Lord?
		Is Jesus coming back in your lifetime?

TO ANSWER A SPECIFIC PRAYER

Luke 11:9-13 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. ¹¹"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

EVALUATION OF YOUR FAITH TO ANSWER A SPECIFIC PRAYER Check Yes Or No For Each Of The Questions Below
YES	NO	SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE
		Does God always answer your prayers?
		Do you expect answers to prayer?
		Are there prayers that God will not answer?
		Are you good enough to get your prayers answered?
		Are there prayers that are too big for God to answer?

FOR ANYTHING HE REVEALS THAT HE INTENDS TO DO

EVALUATION OF YOUR FAITH FOR ANYTHING HE REVEALS THAT HE INTENDS TO DO (RHEMA) Check Yes Or No For Each Of The Questions Below
YES	NO	SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE
		Does God always provide everything necessary for you to carry out any direction He gives you?
		Does God change His mind about what He wants you to do?
		Can you trust Him to finish what He starts?
		Do you lose hope when the wait is long?
		Can you make God hurry?
		Do you cooperate with God until the direction is finished?

Faith can be further defined as having so much confidence in a revelation (Rhema) that the Holy Spirit (God) has given you that you will “be live” it, or commit whatever is required to act upon it, regardless of circumstances, objections, or obstacles, until it comes to pass.

Faith is always based on a revelation (Rhema) that the Holy Spirit has given.

In addition, faith carries attitude and actions that demonstrate whether or not you have true biblical faith.

EVALUATION OF YOUR ATTITUDE AND ACTIONS TO DETERMINE WHETHER YOU HAVE BIBLICAL FAITH (RHEMA) Check Yes Or No For Each Of The Questions Below
YES	NO	ACTION OR ATTITUDE
		Do you have a continuous attitude of hope? Expectancy of God’s blessing, promises, power, provision? When you have hope, there in never room for self-pity, anger, criticism, depression, blues, boredom, restlessness. (Romans 5:2-6)
		Are you continuously filled with joy? (Acts 16:34, 1 Peter 1:8)
		Do you continuously have peace that cannot be disturbed? (Romans 15:13)
		Do you have confidence? No insecurity or doubts? (2 Cor. 4:13)
		Do you do everything by faith? Do you have segments of your life that you do not consider to be under the lordship of Jesus? You just do them like everyone else. (Gal. 2:20 )
		Do you always stand by faith? (Romans 11:20, 2 Cor. 1:24)
		Do you walk by faith? (2 Cor. 5:7)
		Do you resist the devil? (1 Peter 5:6-11 )
		Do you overcome the devil? (Eph. 6:10-18)
		Do you believe that God will take care of you? (1 Tim. 4:10)
		Do you demonstrate the fruit of faith? If so, how? (James 2:14-26)
		Do you have afflictions that you know come as a result of your having faith? (1Peter 1:6-7)

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

1. Determine those areas of your life where your actions and attitudes prove that you have great faith. Make a list of these. Be prepared to tell the congregation how you developed this great faith. Every person will have different areas of success. You overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. Someone who may be struggling or already defeated in an area of his life may be strengthened or encouraged to press through by hearing you declare that it is possible to be victorious.

2. Determine those areas of your life where your actions and attitudes prove that you have little faith. Make a list of these. Be prepared to:

a. Explain why you think you have such little faith in these areas. Be specific. Did someone discourage you? Have you never been challenged? Have you said, “I can’t?” Do you believe that this is just normal? Are you afraid to challenge the devil for this area of your life? Have you just given in to your flesh -- I don’t want to have God rule this area of my life? Do you prefer to sin?

b. What specifically (no generalities) can you do to change those areas of little faith to areas of great faith? Review the things that you know that God has spoken to you to see if you have failed to obey. For example, has He told you to fast, get up early to pray, stop doing something, or start doing something? Any failure to obey will kill faith. Faith is an evidence of your relationship with God.

c. What do you think God needs to do for you to make these changes?

The Bible identifies the actions below as ways to develop and strengthen the faith you have been given. These are generalities. Each person must listen to God for personal direction.

1. Read the Word (John 20:31; 2 Tim. 3:15)

2. Listen to biblical preaching and teaching (Romans 10:14-15)

3. Exercise the faith that you were given (Romans 12:3; Matt. 25:14-30)

4. Bring your flesh under the Lordship of Jesus. Die to self.

5. Practice deliverance from demons of doubt, unbelief, passivity, and depression.

(1 Peter 5:6-11; Eph. 6:10-18)

MAY GOD BLESS YOU

AS YOU STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH!

FAITH – TEST YOUR FAITH

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.