Your Picture Of Faith

Now that you have found out what Faith Is, let us look to see just how that faith looks on you.  That’s right; we can look to see just how your faith looks on you.  Actually what we are talking about is taking a snapshot of you and your faith.  In this snapshot we want to see where you are in accordance with your faith.  This is not a snapshot of where you want to be with your faith but one that reveals where you are and where your faith currently stands.  You see, you need to determine where you truly are with your faith so that you can know what you need to do and where you need to go to maximize your faith.  Once you determine where you are, you can determine the course that you need to take to get you where you want to be with your faith.  And then you will be able to determine when you reach your goal.  So let us get started.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).

Did you know that you are saved through faith?  According to this passage, it is by faith that you have been saved.  This tells you that there must be faith available to us in order for any of us to be able to go through it to get to salvation.

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 12:3).

Here, you are first warned to be honest in your estimate of yourself, measuring your value based on how much faith God has given you.  You will also find your main focal point when dealing with this faith thing.  According to the scripture, God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.  There are some translations that say, God has dealt to every man a measure of faith.

When using the word the, which is a definite article that is used before a noun to express specificity to its reference, you get the sense that God has dealt to everyone the same amount of faith.  No one has been given more faith than anyone else has; we all have been given the same amount.  On the other hand, when using the word a or an, which are indefinite articles that are used before a noun to express non-specificity to its reference, you get the sense that God has dealt to everyone a random or varied amount of faith.

We know that this will sound like a play on words, but we assure you that it is not.  It is important that you understand the difference between the two translations because the difference will help you to honestly measure your value based on the correct amount of faith that has been given.  So, how can you be sure that you have been dealt the measure of faith and not some random amount?  How can you be sure that you have been dealt enough faith or that you have been given your fair share?

For there is no respect of persons with God (Romans 2:11).

Now apparently, there is no respect of persons with God, which means that in the sight of God, no one individual person is more important than any other individual person; he truly treats everyone the same.  With that being said, we can safely say that God has given us all the same amount of faith and not some random amount.  God did not shortchange anyone when it came to faith, for we all have been given the measure of faith.

It appears that faith is a measurable quantity, measured by amount, by degree, or by condition.  It has been given to us by measure, which leads us to believe that you cannot get more than the measure that has been dealt by God.  We see this measure of faith as something that you are born with like your muscles.  You cannot get more muscles than those that you are born with.  However, you can build up those muscles, which is the only way to increase your muscles.  You do not get more muscles; you just develop the ones that you have.  Faith works the same way; you can only increase yours through exercise.  You do not get more faith; you sort of develop your faith by building it up.  The only way to increase your faith is through the knowledge gathered through the word of God.

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

Faith comes by hearing (listening) and hearing (listening) by the word of God.  Please note that this does not state that faith comes by praying, it comes by hearing.  We know that prayer changes things but praying for more faith will not get you more faith.  You get all that you are going to get, but what you do with what you are given is entirely up to you.  Your faith must grow in order for you to profit from having it.  Your faith must be developed.  To develop your faith, it must be fed, for nothing grows unless it is fed.  If you feed your faith you may grow up into Him (Ephesians 4:15), grow up in the fullness of your salvation (I Peter 2:2), grow in spiritual strength (grace) and become better acquainted with our Lord (II Peter 3:18).  However, be very careful of what you hear though.  You are surrounded by many things that get into your mind and our heart; things that try to influence you to limit your faith. 

Everything in your Christian life depends on your faith.  You can develop your faith through knowledge by knowing and understanding the word of God.  The greatest hindrance to your faith is your own human reasoning.  The greatest limitation to your faith is you yourself.  What you do with the faith that you have been given is entirely up to you, but it is you that must grow it, that must develop it, that must exercise it.

Here is a list that will help you to develop your snapshot and to determine where you are with your faith.  Do not forget to be honest in your estimate of yourself, measuring your value based on how much faith God has given you.  See if you can locate exactly where you currently are with your faith.

GREAT FAITH - And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy (paralyzed), grievously tormented.  And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.  The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.  For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me, and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.  When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel (Matthew 8:5-10).

LITTLE FAITH - And straightway Jesus constrained (compelled) his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.  And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart (by himself) to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.  But the ship was now in the midst (middle) of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit (ghost); and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer (Take courage); it is I; be not afraid.  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  And he said, Come.  And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous (violent), he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt (Matthew 14:22-31)?

WEAK FAITH - (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth (gives life to)the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.  Who against (contrary to) hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.  And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb (Romans 4:17-19).

STRONG FAITH - He staggered (wavered) not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong (strengthened) in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform (Romans 4:20-21).

FULL OF FAITH - And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians (Hellenists) against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration (food distribution).  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason (desirable) that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.  Wherefore, brethren, look (seek) ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch (Acts 6:1-5).

FAITH UNFEIGNED (SINCERE FAITH) - Now the end (purpose) of the commandments is charity (love) out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (sincere faith) (I Timothy 1:5).

SHIPWRECKED FAITH - This charge (command) I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee (previously made concerning you), that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put (rejected) away concerning faith have made (suffered) shipwreck (I Timothy 1:18-19).

FAITH NOT WAVERING (CONSTANT) - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting).  For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord (James 1:5-7).

RICH FAITH - Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich (to be rich in) in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him (James 2:5)?

PERFECT FAITH (MATURE or GROWN-UP) - Seest thou how faith wrought (working) with his works, and by works was faith made perfect (complete) (James 2:22)?

OVERCOMING FAITH (WORLD) - For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (I John 5:4).

EXCEEDINGLY GROWING FAITH - We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet (fitting), because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity (love) of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth (II Thessalonians 1:3).

We hope this snapshot has helped you to locate your picture of faith so that you can determine where you truly are with your faith.  From this, we hope that you will know what you need to do and where you need to go to maximize your faith.  If you were able to determine where you are, then you will be able to determine the course that you will need to take in order to get to where you desire to be with your faith.  Finally, we pray that you will exercise your faith so that you can reach your goal, for you have truly been given the measure of faith.  And above all, do not forget to feed your faith; it will need nourishment in order to grow strong and healthy.

Enjoy your blessings and remember to be a blessing to others - KW