THE FAITH OF JESUS

Many believers I know of were often trapped in the grip of fears and worries. I myself was once a 'victim' too. Yet the Scripture in Hebrews 11:6 plainly states that: 'But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is rewarder of those who diligently seek Him'. As I begin to study the Word of God, I realise that most Christians have 'human faith' but not the 'faith of Jesus' which is essential to break out from the vicious circle of spiritual poverty.

Romans 1:17 states: 'For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,"The just shall live by faith". This verse in Romans is saying that a Christian must move from the level of 'human faith' at the early stage of conversion to the kind of faith that Jesus had when He walked the earth. All of us have some measure of human faith, but that is not enough to see us through the Christian life if we are to become overcomers and victorious! The Apostle Paul states his position in Galatians 2:20 thus: 'I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me'. Simply put, Paul is saying that he has the same faith as the Lord Jesus Christ had, and he is living by it.

Looking into the end times which we are currently living in, Christ asked, 'When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?' (Luke 18:8). This implies that true faith is going to be a 'rare commodity' as the clock ticks towards the close of the church age! True faith comes from the Spirit of God - the FRUIT of the Holy Spirit - as stated in Galatians 5:22-23. This was clearly demonstrated in Christ ministry while on earth. For He accomplished everything through the power of God's Spirit in Him. In addition, God endowed Him with the GIFT of faith (1 Cor 12:1, 7-9) for Him to endure the sufferings as Savior of the world! When a Christian has true faith, he can accomplish great and mightly exploits for God just like Jesus did (John 14:12).

It is worthy to note that a person is 'justified by the faith of Jesus Christ' (Galatians 2:16 KJV). Thus not only must we believe in Jesus Christ but we must also possess the kind of faith that Jesus had in us so that we can be made righteous (justified)! Though it starts with human belief, we must grow our faith to the kind that Jesus had while on earth. Hence, we must grow from faith (human faith) to faith (the faith of Jesus) - Romans 1:17. Human faith is variable, it depends on one's emotional state of mind and or circumstances. In the current economic downturn, many are caught unprepared and on the wrong side of the economic divide. Those who have only human faith, they are likely to be unstable in emotional and spiritual wellness. But those with the faith of Jesus will be different - for it is stable and does not waver. Those who waver are unstable , double-minded (toss between human reasoning/thinking and the leading of God's Spirit) and will not receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-8).

Contrary to popular belief, true faith is invoked only for specific promises given in Scripture, and not up to the whim and fancy of any individual. Such promises can involve healing of a sickness or disease, answers to prayer, deliverance from curses or claiming some blessings either for oneself or for loved ones. Proverbs 30:5-6 reads: 'Every word of God is pure; He is a shield (shield of faith -Ephesians 6:16) to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.' Basically, what the verses implied is that God keeps His promises as stated in Scripture and He will do it provided some of the conditions are met. To doubt His Word is to imply that God is a Liar! Whenever I ask God for something I know he will answer them provided I stay obedient. However, I also know that His timing and the way He answers them may not necessarily coincide with mine. Anyhow, His ways are always the best!

Many Christians are misled into believing that 'just believe in Jesus' kind of faith is all that is needed for salvation. If that is true, the Bible should be no more than a single page of Scripture! Remember the words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:21, 'Not everyone who says to Me "Lord, Lord", shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven (born again as sons of God), but he who DOES the will of MY FATHER in heaven.' Again in Romans 2:13, the Apostle Paul states: 'For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the DOERS of the law will be justified.' That is why God will only give His Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). Jesus Christ told the rich young man to keep the commandments (law) in order for him to receive salvation (Matthew 19:17). When His disciples heard this, they wondered who then can be saved? (Matthew 19:25). But Christ answered thus: 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' (Matthew 19:26). In my years as a Christians, I have heard many preachers quoting these verses but without the right explanations. What the Lord Jesus was saying is simply that man cannot keep God's law, but when Christ lives in us we can, provided we have the true living faith abiding in Him!

A Christian life is a journey of fighting many battles in a long war with the forces of darkness. Those who win eventually are overcomers to inherit the Kingdom of God. Hence, Paul admonishes Timothy to 'fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life' (1 Timothy 6:12). Similarly, Jude writes to all true believers to 'contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints' (verse 3). We must follow Christ example in obedience by keeping God's law in order to possess the faith of Christ. Only then, can we become overcomers to inherit all that the Heavenly Father has destined for us in the Kingdom of God. For only true disciples of Christ will have the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12).

The Word of God lists nine separate fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and nine separate gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12: 7-10). Of all these, faith is the only one mentioned in both of the lists. Faith is both a fruit and a gift of the Spirit. However, only those who are specially called of God to perform some work that requires the gift of the Spirit will be so given. Faith is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). But we must learn to develop and exercise it to the level of the faith of Jesus if we are to enter the Kingdom of God to become sons of God!