(7th article in the Discipleship Series)
In this article, I’ll be discussing the fruit of the Spirit— Faith. Let’s begin with a definition.
Faith is objective evidence in action.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen.Hebrews 11:1
Let’s see how faith works.
Some people think that faith is a religious concept— but that’s not true. Faith is a commodity used by everyone— even atheists.
As a flight attendant I often marveled that people would get on an airplane and put their lives in the hands of a person they had never met— the PILOT!
I asked myself, “Why would people do this?” Then I realized it’s because of OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE.
1. They can look up in the sky and see that airplanes fly.
2. They can talk to friends who have flown.
3. They may even know the theory of aerodynamics, the scientific basis for flight.
As a result, they are able to put their FAITH in a person they have never met. Faith allows them to bridge the GAP between observation and experience. Faith lets them EXPERIENCE flying.
 |
| Faith bridges the GAP between observation and experience. |
The same is true spiritually.
In my article, The Difference Between Religion and True Christianity I demonstrate through objective evidence why it’s LOGICAL to believe in God. Just like an airline pilot, objective evidence allows people to put their faith in a GOD they have never met.
But once we experience God, we must continue GROWING through faith as well.
In Christianity, we move from faith to faith.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed FROM FAITH TO FAITH: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.Romans 1:17
The process of faith is always the same.
1. We look for objective evidence.
2. We ACT upon the evidence we have found. Real faith is objective evidence in ACTION.
Only then can we EXPERIENCE the truth of God in our lives.
But where do we look for objective evidence?
1. In the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16).
2. Through the inner witness of God’s Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12).
The Bible
I think the Apostle Peter describes the process of faith very well when he says:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and PRECIOUS PROMISES: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; and to virtue KNOWLEDGE; and to knowledge TEMPERANCE; and to temperance PATIENCE; and to patience GODLINESS; and to godliness brotherly KINDNESS; and to brotherly kindness CHARITY.2 Peter 1:4-7
Faith is a progression. As we sift through scripture, there will be evidence that requires an action. The extent to which you act on that evidence is the extent to which you will grow in the fruit of the Spirit Peter mentions above.
Some may ask, but can we trust the evidence of the Bible?
The Bible is an amazing book consisting of 66 books and written by 40 authors. See if you think you can trust the evidence of the Bible by reading my article, Can We Trust the Bible?
The Inner Witness of God’s Spirit
Our mind is like a computer— garbage in, garbage out. That’s how it was, at least, until we received the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:12). Now through sanctification we have the ability to cleanse our mind from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), and HEAR the mind of Christ in us (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Whereas scripture is referred to as the LOGOS word of God, the word of Christ in you is referred to as the RHEMA word of God.
Sometimes there are situations in life that are not specifically covered by scripture. It’s in these situations that we rely upon the rhema word of God— the word of God in us. This also known as a manifestation of faith and is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. For more on this read my article, Operating in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
One thing to note is that the rhema word of God will never contradict the logos word of God. So whatever it is that you believe you hear from God, it must be supported by the principles of the Bible.
One thing to note is that the rhema word of God will never contradict the logos word of God. So whatever it is that you believe you hear from God, it must be supported by the principles of the Bible.
So in your life as you move from faith to faith, you can use the rhema word of God as evidence for a decision. I would caution that you move slowly here as sometimes we are new in the faith and we don’t understand all of the principles of the Bible yet.
Making big decisions and operating in the rhema word of God is for the mature Christian. One thing for sure is that you will never go wrong by following the logos word of God.
Conclusion
Faith is a commodity used by everyone. When we understand that faith bridges the gap between observation and experience, we are able to apply it to scripture. God wants us to look for evidence in scripture that we can act upon. Christian growth is achieved when we move from faith to faith (Romans 1:17). Sometimes we look for evidence in the rhema or spoken word of God. We must be careful that the rhema word of God does not contradict the logos or written word of God, the Bible.
God wants us to have self control. That’s why in the next session I’ll be discussing the fruit of the Spirit— Temperance.
Fruit of the Spirit Card
