Now That's Crazy!... or is that "Faith"?

Over the past few days I have been looking into and trying to study the word "Faith" as it is in the Bible. Trying to understand its context and it's meaning. The difference between "Faith" and the "Gift of Faith". Looking at examples of men and women of faith in the bible (the Faith Chapter) Hebrews 11, I see one consistent fact.. (11:13) none of them were around to see the promise that God had for the come to pass.

Now that's crazy! or is that "Faith"?

I used to do concrete work and I think the most rewarding thing about HARD work is the fact that you get to see a finished product. That there is an end in sight and that you can feel a sense of accomplishment.

These men and women of "Faith" Had a vision and a plan. They knew that God had a plan for their life and that he was going to use them to do great things.

Is this "Faith" defined as... "the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen." like in Hebrews 11:1? Is it an action word. A word that demands movement? or is it defined as a belief?

I think too many times we as people take words for granted... People sometimes ask me... "What Faith are you?" HUH? What kind of question is that!? What do you mean "what faith am I?" I'd like to say "I'm a non-fat, double espresso, extra whipped cream, java chip kinda faith". (I get the non-fat so I can have the extra whipped cream).

That question makes no sense! Faith is an active decision that is made in order to demonstrate and/or articulate a firm persuasion, or what you believe.

So if Faith isn't "what you believe" but instead a "living example" of what you believe, where does it come from or how do I get more?

Faith in the Greek is "Pistis"(pronounced "pisstiss") this means "firm persuasion" and "a conviction based upon hearing."

Romans 10:17
17. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.(NKJV)

17. So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself). (Amplified)

and one more....

17. So faith comes from hearing the message. And the message that is heard is the word of Christ.(NIRV)

Ok... so let me collect my thoughts....

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So if Faith isn't a belief system, but an action that I do, then it has to be something that I can get or attain. Right? Something that anyone can have. Romans 10:17 didn't say ..."So Faith comes to some of us..." or "... Faith then comes to the Super Spiritual..."It said that It comes by hearing what is told and what is told is told during the preaching or talking about of what Christ has done and the message that he spoke about....which is God the Father.(John5:36)

still following me?

I am finding that I can get really deep into all of this so I will save you from getting board with my blog and try to wrap this up...

I LOVE GRACE and the idea of it. I love the fact that there is nothing that I did or that I can do to earn the Love of my Father or salvation. I believe that we are saved by grace and that you can't be good enough, right enough, skinny enough, funny enough, nice enough or righteous enough to get to heaven... you ONLY get to heaven through Jesus Christ which is our saving GRACE from sin.(John 14:6)

I will stand by the foundation of Grace for as long as I live because of how my daddy God has loved me and forgiven me because of grace, but I also know that I wouldn't have this grace unless I had learned the Faith that taught me Grace. Yes I think and believe that anyone and everyone can have the free gift of Grace but how can they know of said grace with out first learning the Faith that teaches Grace?

I guess what I am saying is that I don't believe in eternal security and that I believe that the ONLY way to God the father is through the message and life of Jesus Christ which is Grace...the Good News.(Acts 8:12, 10:36, 14:15, 15:7 NLT)

So..... Learning Faith through the teaching and preaching of the word, the Good News, which is the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, will show us Grace which is our Salvation. The more we read the Bible and surround ourselves with biblical teaching of an anointed man or women of God, the more Faith we will have.

Ephesians 2:7-9 (Amplified Bible)
7. He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.
8. For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved ([a]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;
9. Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]

Galatians 3:26 (Amplified Bible)
26. For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith.

How many times have you heard an encouraging word and gotten excited? How many time have you heard a powerful anointed sermon and wanted to change your world? And looking back, how many times have you not gone to church or read your bible and felt unmotivated or "blah" about your walk with God?

Faith is not a Belief System, it is an action! I walk by Faith, a conviction or firm persuasion, because of the things that I have been taught by the actions and lifestyle of Jesus Christ.

TO BE CONTINUED......
(for the "Gift of Faith")