YOU MUST HAVE
THE FAITH THAT GOD GIVES
INTRODUCTION
The Apostle John
declares, “ . . . if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence toward
God.” I John 3:21.
We are told in
Romans that faith cometh by hearing the Word of God.
“So then faith
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17.
Having been
planted in the heart through the Word, faith must be watered and nourished
through a genuine love for God.
“ . . . perfect
love casteth out fear: . . .” I John 4:18.
FEAR IS THE
EXACT OPPOSITE OF FAITH! FEAR IS THE MURDERER OF FAITH! THERE IS NO FEAR IN
LOVE! YOU CANNOT HAVE FAITH IF YOU DO NOT LOVE GOD! If you love God you will
keep His commandments.
“He that hath my
commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me
shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto
him.” John 14:21.
“. . .If a man
love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come
unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23b.
Love is
manifested by obedience. Disobedience to the known will of God is poison to
faith. Real, living, vital faith is impossible to those who are living in
disobedience to God’s commandments.
“ . . . to obey
is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” I Samuel 15:22b.
REAL FAITH IS
SIMPLY TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD.
YOU MUST HAVE
THE FAITH THAT GOD GIVES.
There are
thousands of promises in God’s Word, BUT EVERY ONE OF THEM IS CONDITIONED UPON
FAITH! This is the faith that God gives, AND YOU CAN HAVE THIS FAITH!
On His way from
Bethany one day, Jesus cursed a fig tree because it bore no fruit. He was
hungry, and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, “ . . . he came, if haply
he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but
leaves; for the time of the figs was not yet. . . , No man eat fruit of thee
hereafter for ever. . . .” Mark 11:13, 14. Although it was not immediately
apparent, a miracle had been performed. Faith had been exercised. The following
morning, the disciples again saw the fig tree, but it was dried up at the roots.
Peter spoke in amazement at finding the tree withered. Jesus answered him, “ . .
. Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto
this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not
doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall
come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Mark 11:22b, 23. The same
faith Christ exercised in this passage of Scripture can be yours. Just as He
told the disciples, HE IS TELLING YOU --- YOU CAN HAVE THE FAITH OF GOD! THIS IS
LITERALLY THE FAITH THAT GOD GIVES!
God gives faith
to every person who wants it enough to pay the price He requires. THE PRICE IS
WALKING IN THE FULL LIGHT OF THE SCRIPTURES --- FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF
JESUS---HE REQUIRES OBEDIENCE, GODLINESS, AND HOLINESS. THERE MUST BE FREEDOM
FROM CONDEMNATION!
“ . . . if our
heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” I John 3:21.
No matter how
trustworthy an acquaintance may be, we can never feel entirely sure that he
merits complete confidence until we are thoroughly acquainted with him. This is
the reason many people fail to trust God. We become acquainted with God
BY WALKING WITH
HIM DAILY, AND BY READING HIS WORD.”
“ . . . faith
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17.
When you read
God’s Word, read it as you would a letter from a trusted friend.
Jesus accuses a
religious group in His day of “Making the word of God of none effect through
your tradition, . . .” Mark 7:13a, and “ . . . teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men,” Mark 7:7b. Many preachers today set at naught the promises
of God, basing their teachings upon the things that they have observed around
them, rather than upon the Word of God. FAITH CAN ONLY BE BUILT UPON THE POWER
AND SUCCESS OF THE WORD OF GOD --- NEVER UPON OUR OWN OR ANOTHERTS WEAKNESSES
AND FAILURES.
Having been
planted in the heart through the Word, faith must be watered and nourished
through a genuine love of God. “ . . .perfect love casteth out fear: . . .” I
John 4:18. FEAR IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF FAITH! Fear is the murderer of faith,
THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE! YOU CANNOT HAVE FAITH IF YOU DO NOT LOVE GOD!
If you love God
you will keep His commandments. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John
14:15.
“He that hath my
commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me
shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto
him.” John 14:21.
“. . . If a man
love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come
unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23
The reason many
do not have faith is because “ . . .faith. . . worketh by love. . .” and they DO
NOT HAVE LOVE! LOVE IS MANIFESTED BY OBEDIENCE! Disobedience to the known will
of God IS POISON TO FAITH! A lack of desiring to learn the will of God will
bring the same results ---- IF YOU LOVE HIM YOU WILL BE CONCERNED ABOUT KNOWING
HIS WILL FOR YOUR LIFE!
The greatest
hindrance to faith today is DISOBEDIENCE. John says, “Beloved, if our heart
condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we
receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are
pleasing in his sight.” I John 3:21, 22.
Real living,
vital faith is impossible to those who are living in disobedience to God’s
commandments, and who are out of harmony with the personality and the Spirit of
God.
Many people
today who profess to be Christians are living constantly under condemnation for
sin and disobedience to the known will of God, and to His Word. Such a person
can never have real faith, the faith that God gives, until he has repented of
his sins and turned his back upon them. Only when this is done will condemnation
leave. Only then will he have a clear conscience toward God, which brings
perfect confidence --- perfect faith.
The confidence
of some may be destroyed because of living in the condemnation that light (the
light of the Scriptures concerning the Baptism of the Holy Ghost) is come into
the world, and they have not walked into that light. They know that they should
have this glorious experience, but have not met the conditions to receive it.
“ . . . Have ye
received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? . . .” Acts 19:2.
This is not an unfair question to a Christian. Paul asked this question of a group of twelve believers at Ephesus. It is an experience that every Christian should have; not only because God commanded it, but because the Christian needs it, and that he may be ready to receive power to work and witness for his Lord.
In the New
Testament Church every member was filled with the Holy Ghost. All Christian
individuals and groups spoken of through the New Testament were baptized with
the Holy Ghost, as a separate and different experience from conversion, and
coming after conversion. The disciples of Jesus were all saved, inasmuch as
Christ had commissioned them to preach the Gospel and to heal the sick, and had
given them power and authority over devils.
“Then he called
his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all
devils, and to cure diseases, And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and
to heal the sick.” Luke 9:1, 2.
“Notwithstanding
in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you: but rather rejoice,
because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20.
Having their
names written in heaven is another evidence that the disciples were saved. Yet,
Jesus,
“ . . .
commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the
promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days
hence.” Acts 1:4, 5.
“And, behold, I
send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,
until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49.
This is not only
a commandment for those few people in days gone by, but for Christians who have
lived since those days, for Christians who are living now, and for those who
will live in the future days. After Peter had been filled with the Holy Ghost,
while preaching his first Holy Ghost sermon, he said,
“ . . . Repent,
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is
unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as
the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:38, 39.
Many consider
the Baptism of the Holy Ghost a mere privilege, instead of a direct command, for
Paul said, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess: but be filled with
the Spirit:” Ephesians 5:18.
Since this is a
command, God expects us to obey Him. If we have come into the light of God’s
truth we are expected to walk in that truth; failure to do so brings
condemnation.
“And this is the
condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather
than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19.
Many people are
living more or less under condemnation because they have not made a consecration
of full obedience, that they might receive this glorious experience, THE BAPTISM
OF THE HOLY GHOST.
Those who have
been obedient HAVE RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST.
“And we are his
witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to
them that obey him.” Acts 5:32.
If you have not
been filled with the Holy Ghost, it is evident, from this verse, that you have
not yet been fully obedient. You have been disobedient, and disobedience is sin.
Sin brings condemnation. CONDEMNATION DESTROYS FAITH!
“If ye abide in
me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done
unto you.” John 15:7.
One must abide
in Christ before he is in position to exercise real faith, BEFORE HE CAN UICEIVE
THE FAITH THAT GOD GIVES. GOD DOES NOT GIVE FAITH TO PEOPLE WHO A RIDE NOT IN
HIM. The blessings of God are for those who serve God and put Him first in their
lives. ONE MUST ABIDE IN CHRIST BEFORE FAITH CAN ACTUALLY BE EXERCISED!
Now, let us look
into God’s Word for the definition of “abiding in Christ.”
“He that saith
he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” I John 2:6.
If we profess to
abide in Him, WE SHOULD BE WALKING AS HE WALKED! If you are not walking as
Christ walked, YOU ARE NOT ABIDING IN HIM.
IT IS NO WONDER
YOU HAVE NO FAITH!
YOUR SIN AND
DISOBEDIENCE HAVE DESTROYED YOUR FAITH!
You can never be
on real faith-ground until you abide in Christ, and walk as He walked. This is
not only possible----IT IS GOD’S COMMAND!
“ . . . Christ
also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin . . .” I Peter 2:21, 22.
“ . . . For this
purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the
devil.” I John 3:8. He resisted the devil and temptation, although He was “ . .
. in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. He is
our example, and He stands ready to help us to walk as He walked -- IN HIS
STEPS!
“Whosoever
abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known
him.” I John 3:6.
God is no
respector of persons---YOU MAY HAVE GOD’S FAITH, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY THE
PRICE FOR IT -- THE PRICE FOR GOD’S FAITH IS OBEDIENCE AND HOLINESS! FAITH IS
NOT AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT HOLY!
“Follow peace
with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews
12:14.
“ . . . Be ye
holy; for I am holy.” I Peter 1:16.
“Awake to
righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this
to your shame.” I Corinthians 15:34.
People who are
finding excuse for their habitual sin, according to this verse, do not have the
knowledge of God. THIS IS A SHAME! It is evident that such professed Christians
do not read their Bibles.
After Jesus had
healed a man, He found him in the temple, and said, “Behold, thou art made
whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14b.
To the woman of
Samaria, Christ Himself said, “ . . . Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no
more.” John 8:11.
“My little
children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not . . .” I John 2:1.
“What shall we
say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” Romans
6:1, 2a.
There is more
than one reason for rack of faith, but the main reason is rack of holiness.
Another main
reason for the lack of faith is the neglect of Bible study.
It is no wonder
that faith is so low in the hearts of so many. The price of faith has been
established. IT HAS BEEN SET BY GOD HIMSELF! The price is to LOVE GOD, READ HIS
WORD, OBEY HIS COMMANDS, AND BELIEVE HIS PROMISES! God has enabled man to pay
this price for faith. The same Christ who saves from sin will keep those who
desire to be kept by His mighty power.
“But the Lord is
faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” II Thessalonians 3:3.
“Now unto him
that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the
presence of his glory with exceeding joy, . . .” Jude 24.
God has not only
commanded that we abide in Him, but has made it possible by giving His children
power to resist the devil in temptation.
“There hath no
temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will
not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I
Corinthians 10:13.
Those who have a
real desire to please God, and pray and read their Bibles are attaining
holiness. These are the people who are shouting the victory over the power of
the enemy --- GOD HAS GIVEN THEM FAITH!
Faith is listed
as one of the nine spiritual gifts, “To another faith by the same Spirit; . . .”
I Corinthians 12:9. The faith mentioned here is a gift of the Spirit, GIVEN BY
THE SPIRIT. The church is admonished to covet earnestly the best gifts.
“But covet
earnestly the best gifts: . . .” I Corinthians 12:31.
“ . . . without
faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe
that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews
11:6.
Without faith to
accept Christ as one’s personal Savior, the benefits of Calvary could never be
claimed . . . Jesus paid the full penalty for our sins when He gave His life to
redeem us. THE PRECIOUS BLOOD SPILLED ON GOLGOTHA’S BROW THAT DAY FROM THE BODY
OF JESUS CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN WHEN WE, BY FAITH, APPROPRIATE THESE BENEFITS
FOR OURSELVES.
There are two
common errors in the minds of people about faith. Some people say they have no
faith. This is not true, for the Bible says that every man has faith. “ . . .
according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3.
There are other
people who come through our healing lines saying, “I have all the faith in the
world.” This is not true. If they had faith in such proportions they would not
need to be in a prayer line, but would probably be conducting healing campaigns
of their own.
All Christians
have a certain amount of faith. It is impossible to get saved without faith, so
if you are a Christian, YOU HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FAITH. At the moment of
salvation, faith begins to grow, as a fruit grows on a tree or a vine, for faith
is a fruit of the Spirit as well as a spiritual gift.
“But the fruit
of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23.
As some trees in an orchard produce very little fruit, or perhaps fruit of poor quality, so some Christians seem to produce very little of the fruit of the Spirit. Natural fruit must first bud, then grow and develop. Just as natural fruit buds, grows and develops, the fruit of faith must be properly nourished.
If you are going
to have the faith of the Son of God, you must constantly abide in the Vine
(Jesus).
“I am the true
vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit
he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may
bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken
unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the
vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not
in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and
cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words
abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein
is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As
the Father hath loved me, so have I roved you: continue ye in my love. If ye
keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s
commandments, and abide in his love. This is my commandment, that ye love one
another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay
down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command
you.” St. John 15:1-10; 12-14.
Faith is used as
a defensive weapon of Christian warfare. If we fail to exercise faith against
our adversary, Satan, he comes in like a flood and we become overwhelmed by his
onslaughts. BUT, IF WE ARE ABIDING IN AND HIS WORD IS ABIDING IN US, GOD’S FAITH
IS FLOWING FREELY THROUGH OUR LIVES. WE ARE TRUSTING SO COMPLETELY IN GOD THAT
WE CAN BELIEVE EASILY FOR GREAT VICTORIES.
Since faith
cometh by hearing the Word of God, the Christian should read the Word often,
memorizing many of God’s promises, THEN STAND ON THOSE PROMISES, QUOTING THEM
AGAIN AND AGAIN.
Faith must be
built upon the Word of God, AND ONLY UPON THE WORD OF GOD! The more of God’s
Word you have hidden in your heart, the easier it is to believe, or to exercise
faith in His Word. Base your faith upon the Word of God exclusively --- DON’T
TALK IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT FEEL. People who gauge their healing by
their feeling, never credit anything to God’s Word. The person who accepts God’s
Word as true in his own case, whether the results are visible or not, or whether
he can feel the results or not, WILL SOON SEE AND FEEL THE RESULTS, FOR THIS IS
THE FAITH THAT GOD GIVES. REAL FAITH IS SIMPLY TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD!
RECOMMENDED
MEMORY WORK FOR THIS LESSON
I John 3:21
John 14:23
I John 2:6
*Romans 10:17
*1 Samuel 15:22 I Peter 2:21,22
*1 John 4:18
Acts 5:32
I John 3:6
John 14:21
John 15:7
*Hebrews 12:14
Jude 24
I Corinthians 10:13
* Verses memorized in Lesson 1.
