Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians

The Foundation of Jesus Christ
Lesson 12

What is the nature of faith?

The LORD GOD decides how much faith a person will have, and deals it to each man accordingly. He measures six areas to determine how much faith to give you after you are called forward by Him. These areas are measured by how well you can be a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable of God, non-conforming to this world, transform yourself by the renewing of your mind, and prove what is the perfect will of God. The more skilled you are in each of these areas, the more faith the LORD GOD gives you...

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:1-3 AV)

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. (Hebrews 11:13-14 AV)

1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (Romans 12:1-3 AV)

Worshipping the LORD GOD means you must be a living sacrifice. A living sacrifice means that you give up your will, and allow the Will of the LORD GOD, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to perform works through you. Worshipping the LORD GOD also requires you to be holy and acceptable to Him. These areas are measured by the LORD GOD from his expectation that these three areas are reasonable requirements that should be met.

Note how these six measurements are used to determine the amount of faith the LORD GOD is going to deal to you. Remember in our last study we learned that works does not give faith. Faith is given by the LORD GOD and works is a product of our faith. Therefore, it is easily concluded that...

Understand this well. Anytime that you are doing any of these six things, you are doing them as a matter of spiritual necessity. They are not works and they will not be rewarded as works. These six measurements are used by the LORD GOD to give you faith. He determines the measurements, and He determines the standards, and in His Grace, He decides how much faith you will have.

The LORD GOD, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will not think you are great for letting Them use your body. It is expected of you. It is a spiritual standard required of you by the LORD GOD. However, if they use your body, and works result, you will receive reward from those works. So, being a living sacrifice is your spirituality which leads to faith. What your body does as a living sacrifice is works.

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

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 AV)

4 ¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:4-10 AV)

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:8-10 AV)

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:22-29 AV)

The LORD GOD’s first children, Israel (Jews), were required to follow the Law of God exactly. How well they followed the law determined their relationship with God. As you read your Bible, you quickly learn that it was very difficult for the Jews to keep the LORD GOD’s laws. Israel had no need for faith in the beginning, because the LORD GOD was with them. Eventually, after Israel continuously turned their back on the LORD GOD and His laws, He left them alone. The Jews continue to be the LORD GOD’s first chosen people, although they have no real relationship with Him presently, because they are not given faith. In the End Times, Israel will be gathered back to the LORD GOD, but until then they are a people that try to follow the law and continually pray, but are unable to hear the LORD GOD answer.

1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:1-5 AV)

And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. (Luke 5:20 AV)

22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 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. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:22-24 AV)

Cite Article Source

MLA Style Citation:
McFarland, Kathy L. and Joanne Holstein. "What is the Nature of Faith?." The Foundation of Jesus Christ Jan 2004.   <http://www.guidedbiblestudies.com/001faith1.htm>.

APA Style Citation:
McFarland, Kathy L. and Joanne Holstein. (2004, January) "What is the Nature of Faith?." The Foundation of Jesus Christ Retrieved   from http://www.guidedbiblestudies.com/001faith1.htm

Chicago Style Citation:
McFarland, Kathy L. and Joanne Holstein (2004) "What is the Nature of Faith?." The Foundation of Jesus Christ (January), http://www.guidedbiblestudies.com/001faith1.htm (accessed )

About the Authors

Kathy L. McFarland is a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and Author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She is a Religious Studies student of Liberty University, Hebrew language student attending Israeli taught Ulpan and a Homeschool parent teaching the things of God. She is also well-known as a child advocate of innocent children tortured and suffering from the abuse of sexual perversion, out-of-control violence, and pathetic neglect by a carnal world gone mad.

Joanne B. Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She is a Religious Philosophy student of Liberty University, and a Homeschool parent and child advocate. She is well-known as a counsleor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. She is a leading authority on the history of development of the Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults.

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