Faith Comes from God
Where does faith originate? Do our hearts generate it? Is it some innate instinct that turns us toward something bigger than ourselves?
Faith is mysterious. It suddenly appears like a deer at midnight in the headlight ahead on the road. Yesterday I didn’t think much about God, seek Him, or trust Him. Today I do. What happened?
One fall day in 1968 I had no assurance I was right with God. The next day I did after God’s grace visited my dormitory room.
Grace and faith are both God’s gifts. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:8–9 NLT).
We don’t earn God’s favor by the good things we do or by manufacturing faith from an internal factory. God gives us the ability to believe.
God gives faith in varying amounts. “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you” (Romans 12:6 NLT). We measure ourselves by the faith God has given us (Romans 12:3). Not by scales, tape measures, or mirrors that reflect our images.
Since faith is essential to please God (Hebrews 11:6), we must combine it with the gifts God has given us to do certain things well. For example, without faith, a ministry of teaching God’s word accomplishes nothing of lasting value.
Great faith is a gift the Holy Spirit gives to some (1 Corinthians 12:9). Some excel in faith (2 Corinthians 8:7). That is their spiritual gift.
Faith is also a gift from Jesus. We can’t separate it from the saving righteousness of Jesus that God credits to our account when we put our faith in Jesus (2 Peter 1:1). Faith and love come from Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 1:14).
Faith and God’s word are vitally connected. Faith springs to life from hearing the Good News about Christ (Romans 10:17). The assurance I first felt in 1968 sprung from 1 John 5:11–12.
Faith and hope in God are based on Jesus’ resurrection which God’s word describes. “And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless” (1 Corinthians 15:14 NLT).
Faith Is a Major Player in God’s Universe
Repenting from evil deeds and putting our faith in God is fundamental (Hebrews 6:1). When we do, God forgives our sins and makes us right in His sight by faith in Jesus (Luke 7:50; Romans 1:17, 3:22, 3:27, 3:28, 3:30, 5:1, 9:30, 10:10; Galatians 2:16, 3:24; Philippians 3:9).
God cleanses our hearts through faith (Acts 15:9) and counts us who believe as righteous (Romans 4:11, 22, Galatians 3:6). Even if we are Gentiles, we still qualify (Galatians 3:8)!
We who are saved openly declare our faith (Romans 10:10). With confidence and joy, we look forward to sharing God’s glory (Romans 5:2).
Faith transfers us from the kingdom of darkness to Jesus’ Kingdom (Colossians 1:13). We become God’s children (Galatians 3:26) and Abraham’s real children too (Galatians 3:7). Jesus said faith is one of the more important aspects of the law along with justice and mercy (Matthew 23:23).
Faith confidently expects God to keep His promises even though we have never seen Him (Hebrews 11:1). It believes He rewards those who sincerely seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Faith spurs risky, God-pleasing actions believing He keeps His promises (Hebrews 11). Such faith isn’t common on earth (Luke 18:8).
We gain life through faith (Galatians 3:11) and continue to live by faith (Hebrews 10:38). We understand God’s creation of the universe through faith (Hebrews 11:3). We receive the Holy Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:14). We overcome seemingly impossible circumstances through faith (Mark 5:36, Luke 8:50).
Faith comes from God and is a major player in His Universe. #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
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