CHARACTERISTICS OF GENUINE FAITH (1) Genuine faith comes through the word of God. Faith doesn’t come byfeeling or by just human experience, it comes by the Word of God.Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the wordof God.”(2) Genuine faith brings new life in Jesus. Faith without new life isfate. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is anew creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things havebecome new.”(3) Genuine faith believes God and trusts God. If your faith is allabout believing in God’s power for possibility without trusting God tocontinue to serve and sacrifice if nothing happens, then you need toget the real faith. Faith in God is not only to claim and cash, but totrust and obey. Hebrews 11:17-19, “By faith Abraham, when he wastested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offeredup his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seedshall be called,” 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up,even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurativesense.”(4) Genuine Faith doesn’t give up. Real faith stands and stays to theend. When feeling disappears, faith continues; when human couragevanishes, faith is firm. Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith, nothaving received the promises, but having seen them afar off wereassured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangersand pilgrims on the earth.”(5) Genuine faith does not compromise. Faith in God is standing forGod’s will in God’s word, it is pleasing God, because it is notpossible to please God without faith. Faith is not believing God forour desires, but also trusting God for His will. Real faith doesn’tcompromise with sin. The modern churches that preach faith do notreally understand what faith is all about. How can you have faith inGod as your Provider and you lie or compromise to get provision,contracts or job? How can you have faith in God as your Protector andyou are afraid of demonic people? How can you have faith in God asyour Healer and you allow your people in village to give you or yourfamily concussion? How can you have faith in God as your Glory and youabort or do sinful things to cover up? I don’t understand the kind offaith many claim in sin, the faith of the Bible doesn’t compromisewith sin. A faithful believer does not lie for any reason at any time.It takes faith to stand and say the truth always, but only fear makespeople compromise.Hebrews 11:24, “ By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to becalled the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to sufferaffliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasuresof sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than thetreasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”(6) Genuine Faith is submissive to God, not stubborn. Abrahamsubmitted to God’s will, Jesus surrendered to God’s will at theGethsemane, so real faith yields to God’s will not stubborn topersonal decision and desire. You want something this way, but Godsays no, the other way; faith submits. Mark 14:36, “He said; ‘Abba,Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me;nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will”(7) Genuine faith stands to the end. Chapter 11 of Hebrews listsheroes of faith, it only contains the names of people who stood to theend, and you will not see the names of people like Saul and others whofell by the road side. Your faith is only faith if you endure till theend and make heaven or what is the essence of a strong faith thatlater ends up in hell with unbelievers? Mark 13:13, “And you will behated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shallbe saved.”(8) Genuine faith waits. It is only fear that runs here and there, butfaith in God waits upon God for Gods time and blessing. Isaiah 28:16,“…Whoever believes will not act hastily.”(9) Genuine faith does not fear. Fear is opposed of faith. Children ofGod do not fear but have faith in God at all time and even in theshadow of death. Faith does not fear men, but only God. Hebrews 11:23,“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by hisparents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were notafraid of the king’s command.”(10) Genuine faith is prayerful. The fact that we have faith does notmean we should be prayerless and just believe, it is faith thatactually pushes us to pray more because we believe our God answersprayer. Faith is not weak in prayer, men of faith prayed withoutceasing because they had faith in God that answers prayer. Faith willmove you to pray for others because you believe God answers yourprayer. Prayer without faith is dry and faith without prayer is dull.Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, forhe who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarderof those who diligently seek Him.”Have faith in God to provide and help you in every situation, and keepthe faith no matter the situation. Faith will hold you through thestorm of life; faith will keep you strong and confident even to thepoint of death. Faith will take you to eternal life where fatherAbraham other patriots of faith are, more than that, faith will takeyou to the bosom of Jesus Christ in Heaven.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 14:13:01 +0000
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