" . . .According to your faith be it unto you."--Matt. 9:29.
These tremendous words were spoken by Jesus to two blind men. They were greatly rewarded by their faith because their eyes were opened.
In one of his sermons, Dr. Vance Havner points out that Jesus did not say, according to your "fate" or according to your "fortune"; nor did He say, according to your "fame," "friends" or "feelings," but He did say, "According to your faith . . ."
These tremendous words were spoken by Jesus to two blind men. They were greatly rewarded by their faith because their eyes were opened.
In one of his sermons, Dr. Vance Havner points out that Jesus did not say, according to your "fate" or according to your "fortune"; nor did He say, according to your "fame," "friends" or "feelings," but He did say, "According to your faith . . ."
DEGREES OF FAITH
The Bible speaks of a "measure of faith" and also of a "proportion of faith." Our text speaks of the term, "According to your faith." This seems to indicate that there are various degrees of faith. Let us consider several verses that help us to understand this truth.
1. NO FAITH. In the Bible, we read the statement, "How is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40). Jesus asked this question of His disciples in the boat when they feared that they would perish. Surely there are many defeated Christians living without power and victory who have no faith.
2. LITTLE FAITH. In Matthew 8:26 Jesus said, "O ye of little faith." This again is the account of the disciples in the ship.
3. WEAK FAITH. "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye . . ." (Rom. 14:1). Here the Apostle Paul is referring to an immature Christian who has not been made strong yet. He is spoken of as being weak in the faith.
4. DEAD FAITH. We read, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead" (James 2:17). Genuine faith brings forth action. There is proof when there is faith. James admonished his readers to show him their faith by their works.
5. VAIN FAITH. The Bible speaks again of another kind of faith. " . . .and your faith is also vain" (I Cor. 15:14). The word "vain" means empty or of no avail.
6. GREAT FAITH. Jesus spoke to the Gentile woman who sought for crumbs from under the table and said to her, "I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (Luke 7:9). In several places Jesus spoke of those who had great faith.
7. FULL OF FAITH. The Bible says this of Barnabas: "For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith" (Acts 11:24). This early New Testament Christian was a tremendous example and pattern for all believers. What a great compliment, that he was full of faith!
8. STEADFAST FAITH. " . . .beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ" (Col. 2:5). There is great peace and contentment in being settled and relaxed about the promises of God. Israel continued in doubt and unbelief, but Paul complimented the early Christians because of their steadfastness of faith.
9. RICH IN FAITH. James speaks in his book of being rich in faith. "Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith?" (James 2:5). He is insinuating that faith is a more valuable asset than money.
10. PRECIOUS FAITH. Peter wrote, " . . .to them that have obtained like precious faith . . ." (II Pet. 1:1). He was referring, of course, to our salvation that makes us partakers of the grace and mercy of God. This is surely a precious attribute. The word "precious" is often used in relation to something that is scarce and very valuable, such as precious stones; but here, it is "precious faith."
11. HOLY FAITH. Then the Bible speaks finally of "holy faith." " . . .building up yourselves on your most holy faith . . ." (Jude 20).
In all of these Bible phrases, we see an evidence of degrees of faith.
The Bible speaks of a "measure of faith" and also of a "proportion of faith." Our text speaks of the term, "According to your faith." This seems to indicate that there are various degrees of faith. Let us consider several verses that help us to understand this truth.
1. NO FAITH. In the Bible, we read the statement, "How is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:40). Jesus asked this question of His disciples in the boat when they feared that they would perish. Surely there are many defeated Christians living without power and victory who have no faith.
2. LITTLE FAITH. In Matthew 8:26 Jesus said, "O ye of little faith." This again is the account of the disciples in the ship.
3. WEAK FAITH. "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye . . ." (Rom. 14:1). Here the Apostle Paul is referring to an immature Christian who has not been made strong yet. He is spoken of as being weak in the faith.
4. DEAD FAITH. We read, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead" (James 2:17). Genuine faith brings forth action. There is proof when there is faith. James admonished his readers to show him their faith by their works.
5. VAIN FAITH. The Bible speaks again of another kind of faith. " . . .and your faith is also vain" (I Cor. 15:14). The word "vain" means empty or of no avail.
6. GREAT FAITH. Jesus spoke to the Gentile woman who sought for crumbs from under the table and said to her, "I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (Luke 7:9). In several places Jesus spoke of those who had great faith.
7. FULL OF FAITH. The Bible says this of Barnabas: "For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith" (Acts 11:24). This early New Testament Christian was a tremendous example and pattern for all believers. What a great compliment, that he was full of faith!
8. STEADFAST FAITH. " . . .beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ" (Col. 2:5). There is great peace and contentment in being settled and relaxed about the promises of God. Israel continued in doubt and unbelief, but Paul complimented the early Christians because of their steadfastness of faith.
9. RICH IN FAITH. James speaks in his book of being rich in faith. "Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith?" (James 2:5). He is insinuating that faith is a more valuable asset than money.
10. PRECIOUS FAITH. Peter wrote, " . . .to them that have obtained like precious faith . . ." (II Pet. 1:1). He was referring, of course, to our salvation that makes us partakers of the grace and mercy of God. This is surely a precious attribute. The word "precious" is often used in relation to something that is scarce and very valuable, such as precious stones; but here, it is "precious faith."
11. HOLY FAITH. Then the Bible speaks finally of "holy faith." " . . .building up yourselves on your most holy faith . . ." (Jude 20).
In all of these Bible phrases, we see an evidence of degrees of faith.
1 comments:
Thank you Bro. Dave, I have never seen or heard that. Very inspiring, I will have to study this some more.
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