Little Faith Great Power

FAITH AND BELIEF

The world has become an eerie and frightening place and is getting darker as the days go by. The forces of evil can be felt and seen in the heavy midst of spiritual promiscuity. The glory of righteousness is diminishing in the Body of Christ and as the saints take on the heart and mind of the world it becomes increasingly difficult to identify the “Church” of the script. I can hear the cry of the Lord.

St. Luke 18:8 KJV

When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Yes, these are frightening times. Frightening because the light that was intended for the world to see evidence of God’s gift, the Lord Jesus Christ, is slowly dying out. Has the darkness become so great that men and women of God cannot see they are not walking in the mind and heart of the Master?

I dare say that there are some of us who have remained steadfast and unmovable in the salvation that was handed to the saints of old. It is time to identify the place where you stand. Now is the time to truly contend for the Faith.

Abraham Believed God

Belief is to accept and obey known and witnessed truth and to have confidence in the Word of God.

Galatians 3:6 KJV

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Abraham believed God when God spoke. God revealed Himself in a manner that confirmed Him as a living God. This was done through demonstration of His power in the earthen realm. He had to deal inside of Abraham’s life. However, the only way that Abraham would know Him was for God to be involved in his circumstances, situations and relationships. God had to speak; He spoke those things He would perform inside of Abraham’s life; thus Faith came by hearing the Word of God. God’s spoken Word was based upon His foresight, foreknowledge and predestination.

The spoken Word structured or set the boundaries for what Abraham was to believe. The Holy Ghost is your witness and proof that God can perform what He says. This is important because to truly serve God is to serve Him in the midst of your circumstances, situations and relationships.

When God shows up in your circumstances, situations and relationships however, you must perceive Him. You will perceive God by the hearing of the Word and then seeing it performed. Abraham believed God after He revealed himself as true and living. He accepted God as God based Abraham’s belief and righteousness upon what he had heard and seen. God accounted Abraham righteous in spite of his faults.

Romans 4:3-5 KJV

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

If you can achieve the standard or principle God sets, the reward is righteousness given by God. Abraham was rebellious, fearful and afraid at times, but in his heart, he believed God. Therefore God accounted Him righteous before He began to do righteousness. The standard or principle Abraham achieved was that he believed the spoken Word of God.

Romans 4:6-16 KJV

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Webster's dictionary defines faith as – trust and confidence in God. Faith was reckoned/accounted to Abraham for righteousness. Abraham’s faith came by hearing God. His obedience to what he heard caused him to be accounted righteous. He was considered righteous before he was ever circumcised because he believed God. Abraham believed and God made a covenant with him and sealed it with the circumcision in the flesh, which was a sign of the righteousness of God that He would one day receive. You must remember that he could not be made perfect without us.

Hebrews 11:39-40 KJV

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

The Jews felt God was indebted to them because they served the Law. They justified themselves based on the works of the Law, but the righteousness of God comes by faith.

St. John 8:39-40 KJV

39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

God will deal with you according to your spiritual location. He desires to extract faith from you, however, you must obey what you see and hear. When God sees your belief then He moves, God justifies obedience. Your obedience must be based on what God has revealed of Himself.

The Jews were judged because the Gentiles believed, although they were not circumcised. In their ungodly state, they believed God, just as Abraham did. Now those who produce human faith can receive the Promise just as Abraham did. Your faith came by hearing; you heard, you believed and then you received.

Romans 10:1-4 KJV

1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3 For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believe.

Israel became ignorant of God’s righteousness and went about to establish their own righteousness by doing the works of the Law. They rejected the righteousness, which is of God. Christ is the end of the Law; He is the righteousness of God, having fulfilled the Law. He is the righteousness that was reckoned/accounted to Abraham for which the circumcision of the flesh was merely a sign and a seal of that righteousness, which was to come.

A: Belief Is Affectual

Belief is to accept and obey known and witnessed truth and to have confidence in the Word of God. The English word affect means to have an emotional effect on or to influence emotionally. To be affected is to gender an emotional response to instituted stimuli. This is a temporary change that is subject to environmental situations, circumstances and relationships.

In the process of hearing the Word of God, it is possible to become affected by it. In Paul’s letter to the Romans he writes,

Romans 10:8-11 KJV

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Let us take a little time to really look at this passage that has been used universally to lead souls into the Kingdom of God. What Paul is describing is the effect the Word will have on those who really hear it.

l. The Word will be in your mouth. The Word of God will become the topic of discussion for those who are seeking the Lord. The conversation of the hearer will definitely change.

2. It is out of the abundance of the heart that man speaks. The Word must be in the heart; when this is the case, the emotions, desires and appetites will be affected and they will change. The mindset of the believer will become one of continual seeking for the righteousness of God.

3. When the Word is effecting a change in an individual’s desires there is a change in their overall lifestyle and disposition. In many cases, the individual may begin to live a lifestyle very similar to that of a saint. This is possible because the Word has effected a change in their appetites, desires, emotions and will. Every area of longing is now replaced by a desire for God.

The Sower Soweth The Word

I am reminded of the parable (a simple story illustrating a moral or religious lesson) Jesus taught about the sower sowing the seed.

St. Mark 4:14-20 KJV

14 The sower soweth the word.

15 And these are they by the wayside, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time; afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word.

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Notice in every instance the Word affected the heart, and caused the individual to desire righteous living. In each case, they were able to continue in the way of holiness for a season, but they had no root in them. It is the root of the tree that provides the nature of the tree. In other words, there was no new root in them. Though the Word had affected the desires, emotions, will and the appetite, there was still nothing within to stabilize/maintain/establish that change. The Word, which they received, was therefore unfruitful. It could not bring forth the fruit of righteousness.

By Nature, The Children Of Wrath

The absence of root caused the Word of God in the heart to be in competition with man’s environment and the deceitful lusts it so readily offers. This is a losing battle according to the scripture.

Ephesians 2:1-3 KJV

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Here we are given the reason a believer of the Word cannot live holy without the Spirit of God. We were born with the spirit of Satan living on the inside. That evil spirit worked in us to perform the works of the flesh. These works brought pleasure to the flesh. Therefore, even though the mind was introduced to things pertaining to God and godliness, these ways were still foreign, and they placed restraints on the flesh.

When the mind is reminded of the pleasure it once experienced in the flesh, there is very little resistance it can offer. In some cases, it is the cares of this life, which offend the believer. It is the norms of society that distract us. These all have tremendous roots for one who does not know God. WE WERE BY NATURE THE CHILDREN OF WRATH. This means we were ungodly, disobedient and fit for destruction.

The spirit of Satan supplied us with his nature. We were the children of the devil, birthed by his spirit and controlled by him throughout our lives. Let us consider what Jesus said to the Jews regarding our nature before we received salvation (the indwelling Holy Spirit).

St. John 8:43-44 KJV

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

St. John 8:43-44 Amplified Bible

43 Why do you misunderstand what I am saying? It is because [your spiritual ears are deaf and] you are unable to hear [the truth of] My word.

44 You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and half-truths.

The Lord confessed He was weary of their sacrifices, which could not purge their conscience of sin. Without this purging, the sin issue would never cease. There will always be something in the world to lure the mind and body back into captivity. Paul told the Romans that one must believe with the heart unto righteousness. In other words, to believe in Christ is good. That belief must remain however until the heart is established in the righteousness of God, not in the works of man.

The Righteousness which is of Faith

Romans 10:8 KJV

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

When the Word is in your heart it will be manifested in what you speak. Faith is increased as you speak the Word from the heart. When God sees that your heart has reached the mark of perfection, then He steps in and inputs righteousness.

Romans 10:14-17 KJV

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. We must believe the way the scripture has said.

Romans 9:30-33 KJV

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone;

33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

The Jews sought the righteousness in the Law but they did not seek it by faith. If we do all that God told us to do then we obtain righteousness. If faith is produced in us by hearing the Word of God then Faith is manifested by waiting and looking forward to those things God has spoken. There is a righteousness that is of God; we need that righteousness applied to our lives. His Faith makes you righteous but your faith qualifies you to receive that righteousness.

The Faith Of God Is Effectual

Now comes the new root - The operation of God. In this operation there will be an exchange of substance. The seed of Satan is the substance of the heart in the un-regenerated man (those without the Spirit of God). That seed must be exchanged for the substance of God; that substance we have learned is Faith.

This is the Faith of God, not the mere faith of man that can only bring about a momentary affect of the desires, emotions, will and appetites. Man’s faith, however, must carry him to the Faith of God. Man’s belief in the Son of God will be rewarded with the righteousness of God. Man’s nature must change if he is to ever be free from sin.

Hebrews 9:14 KJV

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The conscience is the root of the tree; it is the place of inherent nature. Without a new conscience to judge and condemn the unrighteousness of the mind and expressed through the flesh, there can be no righteousness achieved in this flesh.

The Holy Ghost Is The Seed Of God. It is the nature, Spirit and substance of the Father; it is the Faith of God. He will create a clean heart and a new conscience and provide a new nature. The desires are now more than affected; they are changed. The inner man will never condone sin in the flesh again. He will always prefer the righteousness of God and He will fight the influence of the carnal mind.

Romans 2:14 -15 KJV

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves.

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.

With the coming of the Holy Ghost, the nature of man changed. We are now the children of God. We have exchanged our righteousness for that of the Father and our belief for His Faith; now all things are of God.

The Spirit of God has changed the believer forever and he will never desire to sin. Though he may be tempted and fail in some cases, it will never be his nature to walk in sin. He will always desire righteousness in the inward parts. The believer is effected by the infilling of the Holy Spirit. He is changed in nature, thus making it possible to effect an eternal change in character. We have the potential to live holy. We can obtain righteousness and become the Word of God in the flesh. Finally,

Romans 3:3 KJV

For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

The Faith of God is effectual. It is eternally holy and will make us the righteousness of God.

Reference Scriptures:

Deuteronomy 6:24-25 KJV

24 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.

25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

Isaiah 54:17 KJV

17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

Philippians 3:8-9 KJV

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Romans 3:21-22 KJV

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 3:1-4 KJV

1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

St. Luke 24:49 KJV

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Acts 1:4 KJV

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

We are indeed sons of the most high God: let us walk in the righteousness wherewith we have been begotten.