Faith is a Power Tool.

By grace we are saved through faith. Faith is the 'how-to' of God's grace. If there's no grace then our faith is not applicable. But because God's grace is sufficient and abundant our faith has become a tool for power in the Christian life. There's more than enough grace to transform us.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind," (Romans 12:2)

Faith is knowing.

As God transforms us by renewing our minds we are passively persuaded by God's truth and this truth is transforming. When we walk in the light of that truth, we are walking in the Spirit. Most of the time when we see the word 'faith' we can read 'am persuaded.' In Romans, as Paul writes about the faith of Abraham, he makes the two synonymous.

"He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:20-21)

Notice first, "..did not waver.. ..through unbelief..". No doubt, instead he, "being fully convinced" was "strengthened in faith." The word used for being "fully convinced" (plerophoreo) expresses the idea of being persuaded in the strongest possible terms. So, if words mean anything, what we see here is that faith is not what we have long imagined it to be.

For the longest time we have been taught that if we have doubt we need to 'try to believe harder.' But when doubt is the issue, 'trying to believe harder' doesn't get it done.

In the words of that famous theologian Rocky, the Flying Squirrel,

"Gee Bullwinkle, that trick never works."

A desire for more faith is a good thing, but desire alone won't eliminate doubt. It doesn't go away simply because you wish it would, but you know that already don't you? The truth is doubt only disappears when faith arrives. Faith is not a ratio, say 85% faith and 15% doubt. It's 100% faith, zero doubt. When we are persuaded we have no doubt. No doubt!

As it relates to faith it is the same for us at it was for Abraham; we need to be fully convinced. Faith is being fully convinced.

Faith is only what we honestly believe and doubt is how we know where we lack faith.

"..be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)

 

 

 

 

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