THE FAITH THAT WORKS-- Part 2

In the part 1 of this series, we showed that during the new birth, God gives us the measure of faith (Romans 12:3) not"a measure".

we also proved that once we receive that supernatural faith  from God,  that faith does not leave us, that faith becomes a permanent part of our born-again spirits. We concluded by saying that there is no lack of faith within any true Christian. There is just a lack of knowing and using what God has already given us.

In this second part of our study, we are going to see how to live by that faith, how to maximize it by studying the characteristics of that faith.

But before we do that, let's look at what L's written in Galatians 2:16,20  "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Concerning Galatians 2:16,20, the famous theologian Dr R.T. Kendal has this to say and I very much agree with him: "the old King James Version – how I thank God for it or I may never have come to see the truth of this blog – carefully and literally translates pistis christou as “faith of Christ” (as in Galatians 2:16, 20). Or pisteos Ieesou Christou as “faith of Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:22). The grammatical issue is whether it is the subjective genitive – Jesus’ own faith – or the objective genitive – faith in Christ. All modern versions sadly translate pistis christou as faith in Christ. As a consequence, virtually a whole generation has missed what I believe is a most fundamental issue when it comes to justification by faith alone."<https://rtkendallministries.com/the-faith-of-christ>

The lesson to get from this passage is that we are not just justified by the faith of jesus christ, we are also to live by that same faith. That is what our Lord Jesus Christ was telling us in Luke 17:5-10 when the disciples asked him to increase their faith. He had to illustrate His answer with the story of a man and his servant. Through this story, Jesus was recommending us to always make use of our faith. The faith given to us is to be used at all occasions. The more we use it, the better we will become at using it.

Characteristics Of The Faith Of God

Mark 11:23-26 BBE "And Jesus, answering, said to them, Have God's faith. 23  Truly I say to you, Whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and be put into the sea; and has no doubt in his heart, but has faith that what he says will come about, he will have what he says. 24  For this reason I say to you, Whatever you make a request for in prayer, have faith that it has been given to you, and you will have it.  25,26  And whenever you make a prayer, let there be forgiveness in your hearts, if you have anything against anyone; so that you may have forgiveness for your sins from your Father who is in heaven." 

Here Jesus is telling us to have God kind of faith and then He went on to tell us the characteristics of that type of faith. THE PART 1 of this topic had shown us that we already have God's faith through our faith in Jesus Christ. Now let's now see the features of that faith:

          1.--It is a speaking faith ( v23)

2Corithians 4:13  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Hebrews 13:5 ".... for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you... So that we may boldly say...."

         2.--It addresses specific things (this mountain v23)

  

          3.--It believes what it says and refuses to doubt (v23)

          4.--It believes and take hold of the invisible (v24)

 That was the type of faith or father Abraham demonstrated. This faith is illustrated in Romans 4:17 "(As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead, and calls those things which are not as though they were.

          5. It forgives in the heart (v25)

the more you know about faith and how it works, the better it will work for you. If all you knew was that you have the same faith Jesus has, then that would remove hopelessness and motivate you. People would eventually see results if they just kept trying, but they give up easily because they believe they don’t have what it takes. That is not true. The Lord has given us everything we need, including all the faith we need. We just need to acknowledge what we have and begin to learn the laws that govern the operation of God’s faith. 

Remain blessed