2.06. Have the Faith That God Gives

CHAPTER 6 HAVE THE FAITH THAT GOD GIVES In the preceding chapter we found that faith is an absolute requirement for healing. There are thousands of promises in God’s Word. Every one is conditioned upon faith. Faith that you can have! Faith that God gives! Christ, on His way to Bethany one day, cursed a fig tree because it produced no fruit (Mark 11:12). He declared that no man would eat fruit of that tree there after. A mighty miracle had been performed, although it was not immediately apparent. Faith had been exercised. The following morning, the disciples again saw the fig tree, but it was dried up at the roots. Peter spoke out his amazement at finding that the tree was withered away. Jesus answered him, Mark 11:22-23 "HAVE FAITH IN GOD. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain be thou removed, and be cast thou into the sea, AND SHALL NOT DOUBT IN HIS HEART, he shall have whatsoever he saith."

It is plain here to see that Christ meant that the same faith He exercised could be had by others.

Really, He is telling them that they can have the FAITH OF GOD, literally, the faith that God gives! God does give faith. God gives faith to every person who wants it badly enough to pay the price required. That price is obedience, godliness, holiness, following in the footsteps of Jesus, living free from condemnation, and walking in the full light of the Scriptures. The Apostle John declares, "If our heart condemn us not then (and then only), have we confidence toward God." 1 John 3:21. Faith and confidence are the same thing. Webster defines faith as "complete confidence in a person." Surely, no one can merit our complete confidence more fully than God!

Faith is not a mysterious feeling thrilling up and down ones spine. Faith is a common every day thing which is evidenced in all the activities of daily life. You write a letter, go to the post office, buy a ting stamp for three cents. place it on the corner of the envelope, drop the letter into the slot - having complete confidence that the person to whom you addressed the letter will have it within a few days. You do not have a sudden overwhelming feeling that your friend will receive the letter. It just doesnt enter your mind to doubt that he will receive the letter.

Some people have more faith in Uncle Sam than in Jesus.

Yet there is no reason to doubt the promises of God, if we have carried out our part.

If the letter wasnt placed in the post office, or if the stamp was left off, there might be reason to doubt that our friend will receive the letter.

If we refuse or neglect to do our part in getting our petitions up to God, there is no reason to expect an answer from Him. But if we do our part, God ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEES to His part. The healing is ours!

Now that we know what we are trying to obtain, let us consider the Scriptural methods of obtaining it. No matter how trustworthy an acquaintance my 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, through walking with Him day by day, and through reading His Word, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17.

Read Gods Word. Read it as you would a letter from a trusted friend. Consider it the FINAL AUTHORITY. Turn resolutely away from those books and conversations which question the truth of Gods Word.

Jesus accused a religious group in His day of "Making the word of God of none effect through your traditions." Mark 7:13; and of "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Mark 7:7. Many preachers (not to say ministers of the Gospel) today set at naught the promises of God, basing their teachings upon the things that they 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 another’s weaknesses and failures.

Then faith having been planted in the heart through the Word must be watered and nourished through a genuine love for God. "Perfect love casteth out fear." 1 John 4:18. Fear is the direct opposite of faith. It is the murderer of faith. There is no fear in love. You cannot have faith if you do not love God. You can hope He will heal. You may say, "I know He is able." But you cannot have faith.

If you love God you will keep His commandments. John 14:15, John 14:21, John 14:23. This is the reason many fail to have faith. "Faith worketh by love." Galatians 5:6. Love is manifested by obedience.

Disobedience to the known will of God is poison to faith. Lack of desire to learn the will of God will bring the same results, for if I love Him, I will be concerned to know His will.

It is the belief of the writer that the greatest hindrance to faith today is disobedience. John says 1 John 2:21-22 "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 those things that are pleasing in his sight."

Real living, vital faith is impossible to people who are living in disobedience to God’s commandments, and 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 and Word of God. Such a person can never have real faith, the faith that God gives, until first he has repented of his sins and turned his back upon them. For then and then only will that conscience toward God, which brings perfect confidence, or 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. surely this cannot be termed an unfair question to Christians. 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, although that should be reason enough, but because the Christian NEEDS it, 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, 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. Luke 9:1-2. Their names were written in Heaven (Luke 10:20), an evident sign that they were saved. Yet Jesus Acts 1:4 "Commanded them that they should not depart form Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, sayeth, ye have heard of me, for John truly baptized with water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

Luke 24:49 "And behold, I send the promise of the Father upon you; but TARRY YE in the city of Jerusalem UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH." This is not only a commandment to these few people in days gone by but for Christians everywhere today, for after Peter had been filled with the Holy Spirit, preaching his first Holy Ghost sermon, he said, Acts 2:38-39 "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."

Many consider the Baptism of the Holy Ghost a mere privilege, instead of a direct command.

However, it is a command, for Paul said, Ephesians 5:18 "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit."

Since this is a command, one must be obedient to Gods command. Those who have come into the light of Gods truth are expected to walk in that light; failure to do so brings condemnations.

John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

Many people today 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.

It is plain, from Acts 5:32; that those who have been obedient HAVE received THE HOLY GHOST. "And we are witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God HATH GIVEN TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM." Then, my friends, if you have not been filled with the Holy Ghost, it is evident, from this verse, that you have not yet been fully obedient.

Then you could have done only one other thing - disobeyed. Disobedience is sin. Sin brings condemnation. Condemnation destroys faith.

John 15:7 "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye WILL, and it shall be done unto you."

One must ABIDE IN CHRIST before he is in a position to exercise real faith, before he can receive the faith that God gives. God does not give faith to people who do not abide in Him. If He did, anyone - even the drunkard, the harlot, the thief, the murderer, the enemies of the kingdom of God could be able to have and exercise faith and receive from God, ANYTHING they would ask. But since 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 Gods Word for the definition of abiding in Christ.

1 John 2:6 "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." In this verse, it is quite plain that if we profess to abide in Christ, we should be walking as He walked. Then, friend, if you are not walking as Christ walked, you are not abiding in Him. No wonder you have no faith! Your sin and disobedience has destroyed your faith. You can never be on real faith ground until you begin to abide in Christ, and walk as Christ walked. This is not only possible, but is Gods command.

1 Peter 2:21-22 "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should FOLLOW HIS STEPS, who did NO sin."

Christ did not live in habitual sin. He did not make excuses for sin. He resisted the devil, and temptation, although He was Hebrews 4:15 "Tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin."

He is our example. And He stands ready to help us to walk as He walked - in His steps.

1 John 3:6 "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not." The author is aware that this teaching is contrary to much religious teaching today. He is also aware that multitudes of people, claiming to believe in divine healing, and to be children of God, have been prayed for again and again, without being able to exercise faith for healing. This matter is of sufficient importance to make it worth while to face facts, regardless of opinions.

There is a reason why these people continue on in their sickness, pains and diseases, and cannot receive healing for their sick bodies. And it is not because God is a respecter of persons. Often it is because the person who needed healing has not paid the price of faith, which is obedience holiness.

Hope is available to people without holiness, BUT FAITH IS NOT!

If people without holiness could have faith, then people who can never see God, could have anything they desire from God, for God guarantees to those who have faith, Matthew 21:22 "Whatsoever ye he shall ask in prayer, BELIEVING ye SHALL RECEIVE." And God has also said.

Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace and holiness, with out which no man shall see the Lord."

It is a general teaching today that everyone sins all the time; that it is impossible to live above sin; that as long as one is in this world he must partake of a certain number of sins of this life.

Teachers of this doctrine quote numerous Scriptures that pertain only to the unregenerate man, who has never had an experience of salvation. But God says 1 Peter 1:16 "Be ye holy, for I am holy."

Paul says 1 Corinthians 15:34 "Awake to righteousness and SIN NOT, for some have not the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame." The people who are finding excuse for heir habitual sin, according to this verse, do not have the knowledge of God. This is a SHAME! It is evident that such professed Christian do not read their Bibles.

After Jesus had healed a man, He found him in the temple, and said to him, John 5:14 "Behold thou art made whole, SIN NO MORE lest a worse thing come upon thee." To the woman of Samaria, Christ Himself said, "Go and SIN NO MORE." John 8:11.

1 John 2:1 "My little children, these things write I unto you that YOU SIN NOT."

Paul settled the sin question, when he said, (Romans 6:1-2). "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? GOD FORBID!" When people again share that attitude of Christ concerning the same question, and begin to abide in God, multitudes will again be healed, and books like this will be unnecessary. But until people are enlightened and learn the truth, books like this must be written. Numberless people today are asking the question, "Why wasnt I healed?" The answer is simple: no faith, or insufficient faith. There is more than one reason for lack of faith, but the main reason is lack of holiness. Another outstanding reason is the common neglect of Bible study. No wonder faith is so low in the hearts of so many. The price of faith has been established. It has been set by God Himself. Love God. Read His Word. Obey His commands. Believe His promises. To some, this may seem to be an impossible price, but God has enabled man to pay it. The same Christ who saves from sin will keep those who desire to be kept by His mighty power.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 "The Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep you from evil."

Jude 1:24 "Now unto him that is able to keep your from falling and to present your faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."

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.

1 Corinthians 10:13 "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." The author has found that those who have a real desire to please God, those who read their Bibles and pray, are attaining holiness. It is these same people who are shouting the victory over sickness and disease and the power of the enemy. God has given them faith.

Faith is listed as one of the nine gifts of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:9. Time and space will not permit us to dwell at length upon faith as one of the nine gifts. Suffice it to say that the faith mentioned here is a gift of the Spirit, GIVEN BY THE SPIRIT. The church is admonished in verse 31 to covet earnestly the best gifts.

All Christians have a certain amount of faith. It is impossible even to be save without faith. At the moment of salvation faith begins to grow, as a fruit, for faith is a fruit of the Spirit, as well as a spiritual gift. Galatians 5:22. As some trees in an orchard produce very little fruit, or fruit of power quality, so some Christians seem to produce very little of the fruit of the Spirit. Fruit must first bud, then grow and develop. For proper development of the fruit of faith, it must be nourished, even as the fruit in the orchard. Since faith cometh by hearing the Word of God, the Christian should read the Word of God often. Memorize many of the promises of God that pertain to healing. Stand upon them. Quote them again and again. In this way, faith will grow.

Faith must be built upon the Word of God, and ONLY upon the Word of God. Experiences and the testimonies of others merely bring hope, not faith. Faith cannot be built merely upon the experiences of others. It cannot be built upon ones feelings, nor upon that which has been seen. The things one sees take place as the mighty power of God works to heal those who have come in the healing lines will cause hope to spring up in the heart, but this is not faith. It is helpful to faith, but cannot take the place of faith, "FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD." Romans 10:17. Base your faith upon the Word of God EXCLUSIVELY. Dont talk in terms of what you may or may not feel. People who gauge their healing by their feeling never credit anything to Gods Word. The person who accepts Gods Word as true IN HIS OWN CASE whether the results are visible and feel-able 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. The more of Gods Word you have hidden in your heart, the easier it is to believe, or exercise faith in that Word.

There are many hindrances to faith. This subject will be dealt with in the next chapter. Read it carefully and prayerfully, and follow the instructions therein and the God who never fails will surely reward your obedience with a real, vital, living faith. THE FAITH THAT GOD GIVES! The faith that can claim God’s guarantee of healing which cannot fail.