Written 2007.
All words in italics are direct quotes from the Scriptures.
To truly understand faith, we must learn…not to think beyond what is written. 1 Cor. 4:6
Faith toward God is one of the elementary principles of Christ, also called a foundation. Heb. 6:1
Faith is…the evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11:1
Therefore, we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7
Faith is the substance of things hoped for Heb. 11:1…
if it does not have works, [faith] is dead. James 2:17
The substance of faith lives in the heart: With the heart one believes, Rom. 10:10
and, He who believes…out of his heart will flow… John 7:38
This may be why the breastplate of faith covers the heart. 1 Thes. 5:8
Faith can be the size of a mustard seed to move a mountain, Mt. 17:20
or pull up by the roots and plant a mulberry tree in the sea. Luke 17:6
In fact, nothing will be impossible for you if you have faith as a mustard seed. Mt. 17:20-21
This faith is the gift of God. Eph. 2:8
It comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom.10:17
Jesus says, “He who believes…as the Scripture has said.” John 7:38
So, if people do not hear Moses and the prophets [the Bible/ Old Testament],neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead. Luke 16:31
For this reason, Satan continually attacks by asking, “Has God indeed said…?” Gen. 3:1
Though salvation…at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, God is also bearing witness with both signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Heb. 2:3-4
So Jesus can say, “Believe Me [because of my words], or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.” John 14:11
Miracles can bring faith by confirming the word. For example, God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul…So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. Acts 19:11-20
Faith may also come from knowing God’s character (Matt. 6:25-34), the testimony of the church (Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 3:6), seeing God’s creation (Rom. 1:20), and other means…BUT THEIR VALUE IS ONLY SEEN IN CONJUNCTION AND CONFIRMATION OF GOD’S WORD. A sower went out to sow his seed…The seed is the word of God. Luke 8:5,11
The ones that fell on good ground are those who…heard the word with a noble and good heart. Luke 8:15
We are born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God. 1 Peter 1:23
Faith begins with receiving the seed of God’s word. So Paul can say of the Corinthians who believed: I planted [the seed],Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 1 Cor. 3:5,6
Now, Jesus speaks of the Spirit as living water. John 7:38-39
Therefore, the Spirit helps cultivate the seed of faith, just as water helps cultivate other seeds, to produce the fruit of the Spirit. In this fruit is faith/faithfulness. Gal. 5:22-23
Also, Christians who labor in word and doctrine and have spoken the word of God to you, 1 Timothy 5:17; Heb. 13:7
like Paul and Apollos, may be used to help cultivate this faith.
Warning: You shall not sow your vineyard with different kinds of seed, lest the yield of the seed which you have sown and the fruit of your vineyard be defiled. Deut. 22:9
If you believe things that do not find their origin in the seed of God’s word, the yield…and the fruit will be defiled.
fmi360 