03.05. INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION From the time I was born again I have had the conviction that we must learn how to live by GOD. I believe that this conviction - which has grown steadily over the years - is a GOD given conviction in my heart and mind.
CHRIST JESUS (MASHIAH YESHUA) has been given to us as an inheritance and a possession (see Ezekiel 44:28; John 1:16-17, NASB+KJV+NKJV) so that we can realize and actualize the reality of living by GOD from HIM-in our inward parts. The reality of actually living by GOD is entirely manifested in what is prophetically addressed as the fullness of CHRIST JESUS (see John 1:16-17, NASB+KJV+NKJV)! The HOLY SPIRIT has been given to us, so that we can actualize this reality of living by GOD through the fullness of CHRIST JESUS being unveiled into us, in fully functional terms (see John 16:13-15 and Romans 8:2).
I first saw the term "the faith of GOD" from the marginal reading of Mark 11:22 in the KJV many years ago. At that time, I simply dismissed it as an awesome thought which was one of those things in Scripture that was beyond my understanding and quite impractical to attain - at least in this age! But as I began to see "faith" teachings that started developing the carnal desires of man in the Church, I began to discern that perhaps there was something fundamental missing in our understanding of faith.
We simply talked about having faith in GOD and we seemed to be say- ing that we were free to pursue anything that appealed to us under the banner of having faith in GOD. And, since faith in GOD led to our jus- tification, we the Church seemed to be moving towards being able - in sub-conscious and unconscious terms - to justify anything we wanted through "faith"! To me so much of our faith teaching seemed to be opening to the Body a reality that was quite simply presumption. Were we serving GOD or was our "understanding" of faith inadvertently "making" GOD serve our whims and fancies! The faith of GOD gives definition to faith in the context of the Nature and Character and Status of GOD, and most importantly, in the context of HIS Sovereign Will. While we can manipulate a principle in any way we want. The manipulation of GOD is quite simply impossible!
Now this is why Lucifer decided that his faith would necessarily have to unfold himself as "god" for him to do what he wanted! This is also why occult faiths or new age philosophies always proclaim man as god - either overtly or covertly! The faith of GOD cannot be manipulated because it is necessarily based on the reality that GOD is inherently by Nature, Character and Reality always GOD - "I AM WHO I AM" and "I AM THAT I AM"! HE will always be WHO HE IS and ALL THAT HE IS. HE will always be inher- ently Self-Sufficient, All-Sufficient and Absolutely Supreme!
And, the Testament Of GOD will always define true faith in the context of HIS supreme status as GOD MOST HIGH and GOD ALMIGHTY
- the Immutable, Eternal, Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent, GOD - WHO ALONE gives credence to all realities in the abiding.
And, that includes the spiritual reality addressed as faith! The faith of GOD - when actualized in our inward parts - reveals GOD in HIS pre-eminence in our heart and mind and in every form of our thoughts, attitudes, intents, desires and imaginations. The realities that unveil in HIS faith become the basis and express the form and substance of our faith in HIM. HIS pre-eminence is absolutely necessary for our faith in HIM to be true faith! HIS pre-eminence is absolutely necessary for the proper function of the human heart and human mind - through faith in HIM! Our faith inHIM is entirely framed as a living response to HIS faith given expression to by HIS Word. HIS pre-eminence is absolutely necessary for the rightful exercise of our own free will! HIS pre-eminence is absolutely necessary for us each to be blessed, so that we in turn can be revealed as a growing blessing in GOD’s creation. The faith of GOD is an important subject that we all need to understand, and ask the HOLY SPIRIT to develop in us, in the fullness of CHRIST JESUS that gives true expression to the sub- stance of our faith. The faith of GOD underlies the prophetic reality addressed as the Mystery Of Faith in 1 Timothy 3:9. As noted in Deuteronomy 29:29, the secret things - the Mysteries Of GOD in Truth - belong to GOD. Hence, it is in the faith of GOD, that the Mystery Of Faith is designed to be revealed and developed in us - in a clear conscience manifested in the substance prophetically described as the unleav- ened bread of sincerity and truth.
It is in the faith of GOD, that the Mystery Of Faith is designed to be revealed and developed in us so that our faith in HIM will be of the right substance.
It is the fullness of CHRIST JESUS that is the spiritual conduit for the substance (Greek: hupostasis) that is of GOD’s faith. This is why CHRIST JESUS declared that truth is exclusive to HIS "I AM" - which is the "I AM" of GOD expressed to us (see John 17:6; John 17:26) by the HOLY SPIRIT (see John 16:14; John 16:13-15) through actual communication of the fullness of CHRIST JESUS (see John 1:16-17, KJV+NKJV+NASB)! A correct understanding of the faith of GOD will transform the Church in terms of our understanding and application of the Word Of GOD.There is so much to look forward to in the faith of GOD that we are invited to "have" by the LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF (see Youngs Literal Translation of the Bible - Mark 11:22)!
It is CHRIST JESUS’ idea that we should have the faith of GOD. It is HIS idea that we can actually have the faith of GOD! This book is about how this can happen in practical terms in all of us who are willing to pursue the reality of GOD’s faith - by the HOLY SPIRIT. This is a reality that unveils in human hearts of flesh (see 2 Corinthians 3:3, NKJV; Hebrews 10:15-16). Hearts of flesh manifested in the fullness of CHRIST JESUS, in HIS flesh (see Ezekiel 36:26; John 6:51; John 6:53; 2 Corinthians 3:3, NKJV+NASB).
There is an awesome potential that derives entirely and exclusively from GOD, awaiting each one of us.
So, be blessed brethren and be a blessing in the faith of GOD that is designed to unveil you in the GOD ordained reality that you are fearful- ly wonderfully made! This is the prophetic reality - in HIS faith (and love) - that declares that HE has known us from before our unformed sub- stance in the vastness of HIS thoughts (see Psalms 139:14-17)! In HIM through HIS faith for us all,
James Niles Ephphatha Ministries The Tabernacle @ Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
February 2005