The Gift of Faith

Faith is all too important to live without. It is evident in more than one form it is something that all people must possess just to make it through life. Faith is not only a gift of the Holy Spirit but in another form it is also a fruit of the Spirit.

Faith is the basic requirement for communion with God –

Hebrews 11:6KJV

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

There are four types of faith.

First there is rational faith; this is not grounded not in the word of God but in experience and common knowledge. Much like the faith that when you turn on a light switch light will “come on” or the faith that placing seed in the will reap a harvest. This is based on logical reasoning and finds no acceptance with God.

James 5:7KJV

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Another type is heard of often in church known as “saving faith” is given to the repentant sinner at the moment of his or her salvation. This is a trust in Jesus, and is divine in essence given by God’s grace.

Ephesians 2:8KJV

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

3. Third there is the fruit of the spirit faith. This is the development of a Christ like character in a person through progression in sanctification.

Galatians 5:22-23KJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Modern translations clarify the KJV (“Fidelity” NEB or Faithfulness NASB) that this type of faith is evident the persons conduct.

4. The fourth type of faith is the Gift of Faith

1 Corinthians 12:9KJV

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

the Gift of Faith is not merely an amplification of what little faith we already have. This is a supernatural faith if it were just an amplification then why would there be a Gift of Faith? Doesn’t God’s word say

Romans 10:17KJV

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

When we are saved we have “saving faith” as we come out and read and hear God’s word our saving faith grows we grow in faith and in knowledge. We possess a measure of faith all the time while the gift of faith is there when needed.

The Gift of Faith is a supernatural operation of the Holy Spirit in the experience of the possessor, which enables him to keep an unwavering trust in God for his protection and his needs.

Faith the fruit is for character, faith the gift is for power.

Mark 11:23KJV

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

1 Kings 17:1KJV

1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

Matthew 14:22-31KJV

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Simon Peter was given a “burst of faith” so to speak by the Lord so that he could walk on the water he was walking not on his own faith but rather on Jesus’ faith when he let go of that seeing the waves and the wind he started to sink.

Jesus showed the disciples that what little faith they possessed and what little we have is not enough to do great things we need the gift of faith.

Paul shows the gift of faith when he was bit by a serpent

Acts 28:3-5KJV

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Still we must remember character is just as important as power for what need is there if we have all the power to do great and wonder things for God but we are never there to do anything. Faithfulness and faith go hand in hand.