What is faith, and how do we use it?
Discussion question for November 6, 2009.
Jesus taught about faith and had some amazing things to say about how it can be used. Is there a difference between faith and belief? Are the promises of faith applicable to us today? Can we move mountains, curse fig trees, cast out demons, feed multitudes, calm storms? What are we supposed to do with faith, once we have it?
Here’s my summary of our discussion.
We talked first about the seemingly outrageous claims and promises Jesus made about our ability to use faith and see miracles, healings and deliverances happen. Matthew 21:21, John 14:10–12; Mark 11:22-24. Jesus had set aside His deity and operated His ministry as a man. That means that what He did is theoretically possible for us to do as well. The answer is “yes”, we can move mountains, curse fig trees, cast out demons, feed multitudes, calm storms, and even walk on water.
There are some caveats. First, Jesus proclaimed that He only did what His Father commanded Him to do. If we are going to do the great things, then they need to be great things that we are commanded to do by God the Father. Second, we need to be in relationship with God to know His will. When we pray according to His will, we know we have what we ask (1 John 5:14). For example, Oswald Chambers says of Martha (Lazarus’ sister): “She believed that Jesus had a peculiar intimacy with God and that whatever He asked of God, God would do.”
The use of faith to make things happen is something that God made. It really does work – even outside of relationship with Him. This can be confusing to some as they try to discern when faith is working compared to when God is working. Positive thinking, mind over matter, and other phrases have been used to characterize this principle when it is used by the world without regard to God. The faith needs to be associated with some source, and that source is the limiting factor. So, if I conjure up enough faith in myself, then I will be able to do anything that I can do myself. Supernatural power only comes from God – so my faith must be rooted in Him for full effect.
There are three things that affect the use of faith. God provides the power to make something happen. We provide the faith to ask Him to cause it to happen. Others exercise the faith to receive what happens. The example is when Jesus went to Capernaum and could do no miracles there because of their unbelief. Although God is sovereign and can do anything, He chose to limit His power by the faith of the recipients in that case.
How do we use faith? In quick obedience to all the commands of God.