Faith – Part 3
In part one we looked, briefly, at the definition of faith and then last time in part two, we saw that “faith comes by hearing the word of God” and we looked quite extensively at the whole of Hebrews chapter eleven and hopefully this hall of fame gallery and acts of faith really stirred up faith to rise up? Well, this time I want to get practical, because “faith without works is dead”. Now, what I’m about to suggest, just about anyone can do. It doesn’t require much effort really. But, after quite a few years of running the race, I think the “penny dropped” only quite recently. All that this step requires is that we can talk. Now, as soon as I thought about writing this, I realised that I have one good friend who is deaf and can’t really talk. But, I guess they do know sign language, and I’m sure that this will do. I also have an autistic child who is non-verbal. So, I know that this won’t apply for 100% of people but I’m pretty sure that it will be able to be done by the vast majority of people. All we need is that ability to speak. And, as by way of the principle of “confirmation by two or three witnesses” I will prove that this is a biblical method as well. So, let’s look at the first of my proof verses:
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Note how these verses mention twice about confessing with the mouth; first confessing the Lord Jesus and the second states that confession with the mouth results, together with believing with the heart unto salvation. There are two basic components to confession, one it’s spoken and two, it’s agreeing with something. For example, if I have done something wrong to someone, I can “confess”, own up and speak to them and agree that what I did was not right but wrong. Confession is stating that we agree with the facts. So, in becoming a Christian, it’s very clear that we shouldn’t just have a thought about it in our heads but we need to speak it out. This really proves that with the faith that comes unto salvation we have our part to play, and that is to make a spoken confession of our faith. The main point is that these verses show how incredibly powerful a few spoken words can be.
My second proof verses are found from the very lips of Jesus:
Mark 11:22-24
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
The first thing that just has to be highlighted here is that Jesus says “Truly”, the King James Bible says “verily” and the New King James Version says “assuredly”. So, it’s weighty enough alone that these words are from Jesus, but Jesus adds a huge emphasis that what He is about to say is absolutely and emphatically true!
For me, this is Jesus trying to tell us what how to operate in faith and three times here Jesus says we are to speak. This might appear obvious but I don’t know about you? But I quite often used to think that all that just having a belief in my my mind about something was sufficient, I didn’t see or understand the need to actually verbalise it vocally. I guess I should say that there has to also not be just a mental ascent but a deep conviction from the heart, this is where faith comes from.
When we consider again that “faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God”, we should understand that there are two basic Greek words for the Word; one is Logos which covers the whole of the written Word of God. Sometimes it is translated as Rhema and this is what we need before confession is made. Rhema basically means that by revelation from the Holy Spirit, a particular Word of God has been quickened to our spirits and we suddenly realise that this is a specific Word from the Lord for my situation or need. For example, you might be suffering with sickness and you see Proverbs 4:20-22 and realise that this has personal application for you right now; it then becomes a Rehma Word for you.
So, as I was mediating on this subject, I thought, well Lord, I’ve got two proof verses of Scripture so far on the need to speak it out regarding faith. However, it would be great if I could have at least one more to make it apply to “two or three witnesses”. Then after a few minutes, the Lord reminded me of the following two verses:
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
This is awesome! God created the heavens and earth by speaking it into existence! Wow, if that doesn’t cause excitement to well up, I don’t know what will, as regarding to how to operate in faith.
Now, I want to put a huge caveat in here. Probably, like me you have heard or experienced the so called “prosperity gospel” teaching and the bad name it has for “blab it and grab it”, “name it and claim it”. I am most certainly not wanting, in any way to go down this line or agree with that.
I think from all the above scriptures cited as proof that as part of living a life of faith, we should speak it out.
I know in my own prayer life, I look for verses that apply and then I speak them aout together with my prayer. For example, and I’ll end with this because as I said at the start, this should be very practical and anyone can do this. We certainly have the technology to help us find and search out relevant verses (but being mindful not to take them out of context!).
Okay, I’ll end on a practical note. Here’s an example of how we can speak it out. If say, you are looking for direction, here’s a verse that is one of my favourites:
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork (or masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
So, here’s how this could be spoken out:
“Heavenly Father, I thank you that I am your masterpiece, and that I have been created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which you have prepared in advance for me to do. So, I have confidence and assurance that you have got something you want me to do, some good works. Please show me what you want me to do, lead me to one of those “good works” today. I ask this in the Name of Jesus. Thank You. Amen!”
So, I hope this is has been helpful? Please post a comment or question in the comments.
