by Nathan Bailey
The faith process begins with me, as I take the initiative to search out God's promises and develop my faith with His cultivation. Biblical faith releases a higher law than the law of nature. I need to start from the Scriptures with a specific word or promise from God to transcend His natural laws, and only for a worthy purpose. Biblical faith is based on believing that God will do what I ask (Hebrews 11:6, Luke 11:9-10). My confidence arises from the spiritual title-deed I hold, as described in Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for". The word translated assurance is hupostatis, which was originally used to describe a legal document that provided proof of ownership.
Biblical faith is not just convincing myself in my mind that it will happen, through mental discipline which does not require God's assistance, but through believing in my heart (Romans 10:10), it is not a worked-up feeling, but a peaceful confidence of elegchos, the "evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 1:1), evidence that demands a verdict, conviction is assured!
There are different levels of faith, and we have each received our metron, or measured out portion, as described in Romans 12:3. Some have no faith at all, most start out with "little faith", which grows into "faith", and finally "great faith". God also gives the "gift of faith" (1 Corinthians 12) when my faith is not up to the level of action at which He wants to work. My faith grows (Romans 1:17, 2 Thessalonians 1:3), starting as a seed that is planted and growing as I cultivate it through meditation and the Holy Spirit adds His fertilization of revelation.
I meditate by continuously ruminating on His word (hagah), thinking, speaking and confessing the same thing over and over to myself (homologia). The Holy Spirit's revelation (apokalupsis) uncovering the riches of His promises to me (Ephesians 1:17-18). Finally, when my faith has grown to the point where I can have that peaceful assurance of God's action, I can begin to release it. Out of my trust in God developed through our relationship, I begin to act in faith, doing what He commands and confessing the truth over the situation.
Faith requires waiting for the "due season" (kairos = the right time, Galations 6:9). I must "hold fast" upon the course I am setting (katecho = hold fast/hold life -> pregnant) until I birth the answer. However, if I do not hold fast, unbelief can produce a spiritual abortion. Unbelief arises out of ignorance (Hosea 4:6 -- destroyed for lack of knowledge) of His ways and His word (will, promise and provision) and slothfulness (Isaiah 1:19 consent and obey -> eating best of land). But if I do stand on my title-deed, when my metron of faith has matured in the area I have been developing, I can release it and expect God to move!
Based on material by Dutch Sheets, © Copyright 1990-1998, shared at Harvest Christian FellowshipRead about overcoming secret sin, self pity and other essays on Christianity - covering hell, sex, drinking, gambling, smoking and tithing!