Please take note that we have only covered the 5 different kinds of faith so far. Last week's lesson was kept short :)
1) "Nothing Abnormal"; and that's the NATURAL FAITH.
This is a kind of faith everyone possesses; basing it on life's experiences, physical senses, human reasoning, & what they've been taught by others. They believe in people, ideologies, theories & things. Sadly, it is NOT based upon a revelation of God's will as found in His Word or by His Spirit. [I've got faith that today's lesson is NOT heretic!]
2) "Holy Molly"; and that's the HISTORICAL FAITH.
Many at times, people call themselves Christians but they've no personal relationship with God. They are just following what their parents believe in... May the strong faith your parents [or anyone you know] possess spur you on to grow spiritually. Let's get on from here! [Remember, God doesn't have grandchildren!!]
3) "Life's Brief Candle"; and that's the TEMPORARY FAITH.
One's Christian life is temporary when one is is not rooted in the Word of God. Also, having faced troubles & cares of this world, one can stray away from the faith. Their candles [likened to faith] blow off; showing how temporal their faith is. Read the parable of the Sower for more insights (Matt 13:18-22) [Don't lose heart, persevere on]
4) "The Free Gift"; and that's the SAVING OR JUSTIFYING FAITH.
We have been justified by faith; and God's righteousness had been imputed on us. Through His righteousness, godly sorrow & repentance is produced. And yes, don't forget that it is by grace we have been saved through faith. (Eph 2:8,9) What an awesome gift salvation is.. [I thank God for what Jesus Christ has done for us!]
5) "Seriously, It is Not a Joke"; and that's FAITH IN GOD OR DAILY FAITH.
The Bible, the written Word of God, is where we get the common sense & wisdom to live a life of faith every day. We can claim ALL the promises of God for our lives. Another point I want to bring to your attention is this: Faith is like human muscles so we must exercise faith!! =) And not to forget, we have to feed on the Word of God.. Faith grows & develops in the same way our physical bodies grow & develop. And not to forget, we have to feed on the Word of God. It's nutritious; but I got to say you have to read it in whole. Absorb every nutrient from the Word of God.. [Remember; exercise & eat - for our faith!!]
To "work-out" faith, we must OBEY & ACT out what God's Word says. You'll slowly develop your faith level from weak to the strongest of faith. I believe that as you "work-out" your faith, God will guide you... =) And one more thing, "Don't exercise faith in areas beyond your faith level". [Start "light" & "easy", & know that the leaders aren't pushing you!!]
PS. No Super Sat on the 19th June. Super Sat resumes on the 26th June.
Have a nice day & God bless!!
-MiCH
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heyhey everybuddy,
very sorry for the delayed post. I'll be continuing with the 6th & 7th kinds of faith. :D
6) The GIFT of faith: God's OWN faith
WOW! Can you imagine having God's O-W-N faith! Isn't that just so powerful? The gift of faith is indeed one of the gifts of power that is given to us by the
Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12: 7-11). This faith OF God is not normal, human faith. It is a supernatural faith because when God says something He has not a single doubt that it will come to pass! Hebrews 11:3 tells us that God created the earth, what we see (visible), out of the IN-visible (what we do not see). :O.
Reminds me also of The Creation in Genesis, when God SAID, "Let there be light," there WAS light! I like how the psalmist put it in Psalm 33:6,"By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth."
Fireworks of Star Formation Light Up A Galaxy (NASA).
The gift of faith also comes through a revelation or
rhema.
The gift of faith or God's own faith can only come by hearing the Holy Spirit speak a rhema word into your spirit not a logos word! It is a personal revelation of a specific word from the Holy Spirit. However, both is just as important as the other because the Holy Spirit speaks the rhema through the logos.
Speaking the Word of God also releases the faith of God. However, the faith of God is NOT ours to command. We are only to be open to the Holy Spirit to hear what He is saying to our hearts. Take time to hear your word from the Holy Spirit so that you can live according to His will.
It is great to move in this gift of faith but God also expects us to use our common sense in daily life. When it's time to eat, we eat! When it's time to sleep, we sleep! So, for daily living, we need the faith IN God. Although faith in God is not perfect faith, we need to exercise it daily and build it strong so that we can effectively operate in the faith OF God.
7) The Fruit of Faith
The fruit of faith is cultivated over-time through skillful labour and is not immediate. Galatians 5:22-23 lists down the fruit of faith.
The gift of faith has to do with a specific action.
The daily faith to live by has to do with a lifestyle.
The fruit of faith has to do with your
character and
attitude. When we have true faith, it will show in our words, actions, in the way we think and treat others.
As we learn to live by faith and move in faith, we develop an abiding trust in our Abba Father.
AMEN! have a great week ahead! :D
pauline
