Not long ago, we defined what faith was. The biblical definition of faith says that “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen; it is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us even though we cannot see it up ahead. Faith has been around since the beginning of time. Faith is trust in somebody or something, especially without logical proof. It is having trust in somebody that you consider worthwhile and truthful. It is also accepting that something exists when there is no physical proof of its existence or of its reality. But now that we know 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. More on this “snapshot of your faith” to come in the near future, so stay tuned.
We forever pray that our inspirational message will abundantly bless you and greatly inform you. We also pray that you will be the better for having read them both. If blessed by today’s message, please share so that others may be blessed as well. Amen.
Enjoy your blessings - KW
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