Faith
Faith is the result of laying hold of the Word of God, which has creative power and authority, and trusting in a God we can't fully understand.
John Follette emphasizes that when God speaks His Word, it carries both authority and creative power, quickened by the Spirit. Faith wraps itself around this Word, becoming a stronghold and security for our faith, as it is infused with God-given faith. God's Word is backed by the authority of heaven and is inherently creative, always accompanied by a measure of faith to strengthen us. Understanding God completely is not necessary; rather, trusting Him in the unknown is key to walking by faith and not by sight. True conversion involves the intellect first assenting to the Truth, which then permeates the heart and emotional life, leading to a genuine faith that grasps the object of God's Word.
Text
When God speaks the Word, it has two definite qualifies. It is authoritative, and it has creative power. The Word is quickened by the Spirit. Faith lays hold of, and wraps itself around that Word. It is our garrison of strength, and security for faith. Its creative power ministers to our faith and strengthens it.
When He speaks a Word, it has:
1. All the authority of heaven back of it.
2. It is creative.
A grain of faith always goes with the Word. When He gives the Word, He gives faith with it to encourage us.
I don't want a God that I understand. I have a God Whom I can trust where I can't understand. He keeps much in the background SO that "we walk by faith and not by sight." So I won't understand every last thing. If you would understand God perfectly, them would be no place for faith, and He wouldn't be God.
Truth has to pass the assent of the intellect, and has to come down to the heart. Anyone, who is truly converted to God, is intellectually converted first before his heart is truly converted, for the heart must have that before it is converted with faith. The heart; the whole emotional life, with the will, has taken hold of that Truth. My mind has grasped it long ago; my mind gave assent to it; then it goes to the spirit. It comes down into my inner being. Before the heart can reach out, it has to have an object. Faith demands an object which it can grasp.
Sermon Outline
- The Authority and Power of God's Word
- The Word has two definite qualities: authority and creative power
- The Word is quickened by the Spirit
Key Quotes
“I don't want a God that I understand. I have a God Whom I can trust where I can't understand.” — John Follette
“If you would understand God perfectly, then would be no place for faith, and He wouldn't be God.” — John Follette
“Faith demands an object which it can grasp.” — John Follette
Application Points
- We must trust in a God we can't fully understand, and have faith in His Word.
- Our intellect must give assent to the truth before our heart is truly converted with faith.
- Faith demands an object which it can grasp, such as the truth of God's Word.