[an error occurred while processing this directive]
As has been seen throughout this series, the word “faith” is
overused, misused, and abused on a grand scale in today’s world. It is faith’s
“power” that is given preeminence by “faith” preachers, gurus, writers and teachers
of many spheres, both religious and secular. It often feels like we are encouraged
to have faith because of faith’s inherent benefits, whether to our health, our
relationships, or to enable us to achieve our goals. I have placed this topic last in the series, because if we are
ever to realize the power of faith, we must understand its meaning, source and
importance. Adherents to the beliefs of false religions are often dedicated
to go to great lengths for their gods. Like the ancient prophets of Baal, followers
of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and others willingly separate themselves by diet,
clothing and other life customs. Some show their dedication though fasting,
some through self-flagellation; some even kill themselves in “service” to their
god. While they may believe that they do these acts through “faith,” faith
– true faith – provides power that pagans and unbelievers can never know. This is where you might expect to hear about the power to move
mountains, walk on water, survive a cobra bite, or some other miraculous supernatural
manifestation. While the word of God abounds with examples where God’s intervention
in the affairs of men resulted in the confounding of man’s logic to explain
the event, the power of the gift of faith is neither limited to, nor defined
by, these overt, supernatural manifestations. As we saw in The Source of Faith, the only true faith
is in God through Christ Jesus our Lord, and that faith comes from hearing the
Word of God. John declared, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). The apostles Peter and Paul both
explained that God’s word came in ancient times by the prophets as they were
moved upon by the Holy Ghost, but that now He has sent unto us His Son, Jesus,
for that purpose. John said it this way, “And the Word was made flesh, and
dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten
of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Whether spoken, written,
or even in the flesh, God’s word is sure! Jesus said that God’s word will come to pass, and no other result
is possible. Faith’s power, then, is wholly rooted in God’s faithfulness.
Now, when we consider the actions of the faithful of old, we can better understand
their motivation. In Hebrews 11, we are given a list of several faithful men and
women of old. “By faith Noah … prepared an ark to the saving of his house …
By faith Sara … received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child
when she was past age … By faith [Moses and the children of Israel] passed through
the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down … By faith the harlot Rahab perished
not with them that believed not…” Paul then wraps up this list with an et
cetera, “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of
Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel,
and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness,
obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant
in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead
raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that
they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings
and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they
were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about
in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom
the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in
dens and caves of the earth.” (Heb. 11:32-38). What a wonderful picture of the power of faith is painted by
Paul in this chapter! When you consider this passage, together with the truth
of Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, 84and forever,”
you can begin to rejoice in what can be accomplished still today by and for
those whose faith is in the Almighty Jehovah! This is where “faith” preachers
leap from the pulpits with eloquent descriptions of how you can stop the mouths
of your lions and obtain your abundant harvest. (We are usually spared the
promise of having the trial of mocking, scourging, imprisonment or death. The
world was not worthy of those that endured such trials by faith. Is it worthy
of us?) The great power of the faith of these precious men and women
was not in their belief, but in the object of their
belief: the Almighty, unchangeable God. Three times, the New Testament writers
refer to Abraham’s greatest testimony, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted
unto him for righteousness” (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Jas. 2:23). So, by faith,
Abraham became the father of many nations after more than 80 years without an
heir. Why? Was it merely because he confessed it with his mouth and believed
that God would perform it? No. It was because God had given him His word,
and Abraham believed that God would do all that He had promised. In each of these examples in Hebrews 11, as well as every example
in the written word of God, God made promises, and the faithful rested on the
blessed assurance that God is a keeper of His promises. Sarah conceived Isaac
because God said she would, and she had faith in God. David “sent to flight
the armies of the aliens,” because God said that he would have the victory. Today, we are often encouraged to “believe God” for a better
car, a better house, a better job, a bigger boat, etc. While God’s word speaks
of the blessings of God on them that believe, is material prosperity the consummate
intent of God’s promise? Jesus surely said, “And all things, whatsoever ye
shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matt. 21:22). James agreed,
saying, “Ye have not because ye ask not,” but he also added, “Ye have not because
ye ask amiss” (Jas. 4:1-3). Who is serving whom? Has God somehow submitted Himself to us,
that He might do our bidding? Is this idea not 180 degrees out of phase with
the will of God? Nay, we must seek His will, and set our heart’s desire on
what God wants for our lives, and for His people in our day. If we align our
will with His, and ask Him to do His will (as Jesus taught us to say, “Thy will
be done”), then He cannot but do it. So what is the key to unlock the power of faith to receive the
things for which we ask of God? Jesus said it plainly, “If ye abide in me,
and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto
you … Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye
should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever
ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you” (John 15:7,16).
It was never about whether we asked of Him, it was about what He said He would
do. If we abide in His word, and ask according to His will, it shall be done. What about believers who have a chronic, even terminal illness?
What about when the healing never comes? This has certainly happened many times
since the beginning of the Grace Age. Perhaps you find yourself troubled, knowing
a friend or relative that was wholly devoted to the Lord, yet suffered and ultimately
died of cancer, diabetes, or some other dreadful malady. The many prayers brought
before the throne of God, both by the infirm believer himself, and by many other
believing saints, sometimes seem ineffectual. Is the lack of healing a reflection
on the lack of faith? Is the “prayer chain” only as strong as its weakest link?
“Faith healers” would often have us believe that to be true. This question, however, is also answered in the “faith chapter”
of Hebrews. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but
having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and
confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that
say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they
had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have
had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that
is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He
hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:13-16). Although the faithful of old
often died, having not received the fulfillment of the promises in their lifetime,
yet they walked before the Lord in righteousness and integrity all the days
of their life, knowing that God was faithful. What God had promised, they knew
He would certainly perform, and the truly faithful did not limit God to their
lifetime, or to their interpretation of the promise. So, too, are our dear loved ones. Even if they were not made
whole in this life, having put their trust in God, they shall surely receive
the promise in the world to come, when Jesus shall raise them to life everlasting.
Hallelujah! If they died paupers in this life, they will still be princes in
the kingdom of our Lord. The Power of Faith rests solely in the promises of God’s word!
When God says He is going to bring you over to the promise land, it matters
not that there is a river, a mountain or a valley in your path. The river will
divide asunder, the mountain will be brought low or removed and cast into the
sea, and the valley will be filled in – all in obedience to the word of God!
Not simply because you asked, but because you asked according to His will. Solomon beautifully declared the truth that there is a time for
everything in Ecclesiastes 3. This teaches us that, not only does God’s word
tell us what He will do, but He has a time when He will do it. This, too, requires
that we trust the Lord, and follow His guidance. We must trust that He will
do His pleasure in the proper season. By faith, we have access to every benefit in Christ Jesus. The
Word of God cannot fail. Hope deferred makes the heart sick (Prov. 13:12),
but faith cannot be deferred, as it is backed by the full faith and credit of
the Almighty. In conclusion, faith is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8), given to
us through the hearing of the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). Faith substantiates
our hope (Heb. 11:1), and without it, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).
Because faith is rooted in the word of the immutable God, things beyond our
human comprehension are able to be achieved – not by our faith, but by the faithfulness
of Him who spoke the word (Titus 1:1-3; Heb. 6:17-19). You need not wonder at the things God can do for the faithful
followers of His word. Seek righteousness and meekness; do justly, love mercy,
and walk humbly before God; do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus; have
faith in God. For if you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be
not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was
preached to every creature which is under heaven, even though you were once
alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, you are now reconciled in
the body of Jesus’ flesh through death, that He might present you holy and unblameable
and unreproveable in His sight (Col. 1:21-23). Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and heirs of the blessings.
For as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of
the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:12-13). Praise
be to His holy name! Amen.
The Power of Faith
By David M. McNabb
Next Article - Flood Warning