Qualities Of Faith

[Albert Finch]

Faith is the confident speaking of God’s word:

Luke 18:1-8 Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, "There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: ‘My rights are being violated. Protect me!’ He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, ‘I care nothing what God thinks, and even less what people think. But because this widow won’t quit badgering me, I’d better do something and see that she gets justice – otherwise I’m going to end up beaten black and blue by her pounding." Then the Master said, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won’t step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won’t he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?"

This woman knew her legal rights and was bold, confident and persistent. You must know your legal rights, in Christ, before you approach God.

Faith is a force:

2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power,

Matthew 21:21-22 And Jesus answered and said to them, "truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force (as a precious prize – a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion).

Faith is a seed:

Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, "If you had the faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’; and it would obey you.

Faith is a servant:

Luke 17:7-10 "Suppose one of you has a servant who comes in from plowing the field or tending the sheep. Would you take his coat, set the table, and say, ‘Sit down and eat’? Wouldn’t you be more likely to say, ‘Prepare dinner; change your cloths and wait table for me until I have finished my coffee; then go to the kitchen and have your supper’? Does the servant get special thanks for doing what is expected of him? It is the same with you. When you have done everything expected of you, be matter-of-fact and say, ‘The work is done. What we were told to do, we did.’"

Faith does not perform beyond what you believe. You put your own limits on faith. You have command over your faith like a master has command over his servants.

Faith is a spirit:

2 Corinthians 4:13 Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, I have believed, therefore I have spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak.

Spirits are transferable. The spirit of faith will transfer to others.

Faith sanctifies:

Acts 26:17-18 Delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Faith sanctifies the renewing of your mind to the word of God. Attitudes are manifestations of some spirit.

Affirmations

IN CHRIST JESUS DWELLS ALL THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD BODILY. SINCE I AM IN CHRIST JESUS THAT FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD DWELLS IN ME. (Colossians 2:9)

I AM A SON OF GOD SINCE I AM LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD. (Romans 8:14)

I HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST. (1 Corinthians 2:16)

CHRIST IN ME GIVES ME THE POWER TO LABOR FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIVES OF OTHERS. (Colossians 1:29)