Faith In What?

 

            The word for faith is pistis in the Greek. It is a credence; a moral conviction of the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher. It is a reliance on something or someone other than oneself. It is the assurance that you have the answer.

            Therefore, it is important to answer the previous questions of whom or what do you have faith in? For the purpose of this book I will be comparing faith to Christ. Why? Because faith in Christ is substance with evidence. Prayerfully, by the time you finish reading this book, you will agree that there is no reason to have faith in anything or anyone else. Everything else, other than Jesus, is fleeting and unstable.

            Jerry is a member of our congregation at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Rockdale, Texas and has asbestosis. Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory and fibrotic condition of the lungs usually caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Every year Jerry gets a check up to be sure the fiber in his lung has not dislodged and caused additional damage which could result in surgery or death.

            One Sunday Jerry came into my office and told me that the doctor called him and asked him to come in the following week. The doctor was concerned because of a spot on his lung. Prepared for the worst, Jerry came to me for prayer. Lest you think it was my prayer that did the healing, he went to his Sunday school class as well. We all lifted him up and believed the Lord for his healing.

            Jerry called me the following week to tell me that everything was OK. He said the doctor said the technician must have made a mistake, because the previous shadow on the previous x-ray was no longer on the existing examination.

            Jerry then told me that as he was sitting in the evening service, he felt something happen in his body. He said that he knew there was something different about him and told his wife on the Sunday evening before the examination that he was going to be alright. He believed the Lord had healed him. Sure enough, the doctor confirmed the healing.

        Even though the doctor explained it away, Jerry knew where his healing came from and he gave the glory to God. God is still in the miraculous business today. It is up to us to have the faith to ask him for his blessings. I believe it is possible that is what Jesus meant when he said, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 7:20).” All the faith required to receive what God has promised is to ask. However, because of the unbelief of the nation, no one is taught to ask. Therefore, you do not receive.

            Our culture relies on everything except God. We rely on doctors, the government, the banks and even ourselves before we ask a loving God who wants to be included in our life. What will be your response to him as your faith grows?   

 

Ultimate Power

 

            I have ministered to many who are sick. The family is looking for the ultimate healing. They are looking for the miracle that will keep their loved ones with them here on this earth. They are seeking to see God’s wondrous hand at work; partly for the reason of keeping their loved one and possibly for the reason of trying to see if God is real.

            Christians who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior need no proof of his existence. The Holy Spirit has confirmed it to them in their hearts.  Nevertheless, it is only natural to want to keep the one you love near you. Still, it is through faith that we allow God to make the decision for life and death.

            Human beings look at death as the worst thing that can happen. Conversely, God views the death of this mortal body to be the best gift he can give. When we die in Christ, the limitations will be lifted. We will no longer be confined to this temporary structure we call a body. Paul said, “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.   For we walk by faith, not by sight.   We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).”

            Therefore, if we are creatures of faith, we know what ever God has for us is best for us. This is a difficult concept for unbelievers. If one does not know his or her destiny in Christ, death is the end. However, for the believer, death is the beginning.

            God is patiently waiting for your decision to have faith in him. He has managed this world since before it was created. He has loved you for the same amount of time. Have faith in him and he will give you rest.