Exercising “The Measure of Faith”

One of the basic tenets of our walk of faith is the realization of the existence of two realms – one physical, one spiritual; with the understanding that the spirit realm is the primary mover. What we see in the physical realm began first spiritually,

By faith we understand that the worlds {during the successive ages} were framed (fashioned, put in order, and equipped for their intended purposes) by the word of God, so that what we see was not made out of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11:3) {Emphasis mine}

In the beginning {before all time} was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself…All things were made and came into existence through Him , and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being ( John 1:1, 3) {Emphasis mine}

In other words, there was no creation without words (faith words). Satan knows how this spiritual (and therefore physical) realm works. He knows the God-established laws of this world we live in. He knows his only chance to lead Christians astray, and defeat the power and authority of God’s Word in your life, is to get you into unbelief concerning God’s intentions for mankind (and then get you to speak that unbelief).

To the degree that you observe outward circumstances and let them speak louder than God’s Word – to that degree your faith won’t work; to that degree you are in unbelief. Peter’s attempt at water-walking teaches that so clearly (Matthew 14:29-31). Jesus demonstrated water-walking, and, for a moment, Peter, at the Lord’s direction, did the same. But he allowed his physical perception to give way to fear. (If you don’t have God’s Word fully informing you fear will come. Satan is the “god of this world” we walk through (2 Corinthians 4:4), and fear is one of his favorite weapons because it demonstrates a lack of trust in God, His love, His goodness, and His Word.) The immediate circumstances spoke more authoritatively to Peter that the word of the Lord. And Jesus’ response to Peter is so instructive to us concerning how we ought to be operating in this world:

O you of little faith, why did your doubt?

For there is only one cure for unbelief – believe unwaveringly on what God says (James 1:6-7) – always. Let’s let God’s Word to us inform our faith walk:

And Jesus replying said to them, Have faith n God (constantly)…whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will {get it}. (Matthew 11:22, 24)

…all things can be (are possible) to him who believes. (Mark 9:23)

…According to your faith and trust and reliance {on the power invested in Me} be it done to you. (Matthew 9:29)

Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, Only keep on believing. (Mark 5:36) {Emphasis mine}

In previous postings I have asked the question, “What will you do with these words of Jesus?” This is our kingdom citizen assignment – living in the reality of the Truth of God’s Word, viewing life from this vantage point. God has given us His Word on the matter:

For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that {are requisite and suited} to life and godliness, through the {full, personal} knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). (2 Peter 1:3) {Emphasis mine}

We are to speak forth His powerful Word, “His precious and exceedingly great promises” (2 Peter 1:4), over every issue we encounter in life. God’s Word spoken out in faith always overcomes the tyranny of the physical.

Romans 12:3 tells us that God has given to each man :the measure of faith”. In the realm of the spirit we can liken faith to a muscle. As in the physical realm, the more you use it, the more you flex it, the stronger the muscle becomes.The force of effective faith in your life is the direct result of working it. And we “work” our faith by finding out what God’s Word says, and then, in speaking it out over circumstances, continually expecting the promise to manifest in our lives.

The measure of faith that each person started out with in God’s kingdom, His family, grows and matures and strengthens into a force that will not be denied the more you resolve that God’s Word alone will define your days. Our spoken word is so important here. Make sure your words, your conversations, line up with your prayers. Your words are always indicators of where your faith actually is.

You are snared with the words of your lips, you are caught with the speech of your mouth. (Proverbs 6:2)

Don’t at one and the same time pray for the healing that God’s Word promises but talk about how sick you feel! Always pray and speak the answer, not the problem.

It is our Father’s intention that we learn how His kingdom works, and through study of the Word – finding out for ourselves what is actually in there (!) – we will, in our daily lives, “correctly handle” (2 Timothy 2:15) this kingdom life that it is His “good pleasure” to give us (Luke 12:32). The measure of faith that He has given is subject to change and great growth, which greatly pleases our Father (Hebrews 11:6).