Ref: Hebrews 11:1-6 (with) Romans 10:17
John 16:13-15 (with) Deuteronomy 29:29
I was listening to a television preacher this morning over breakfast. I’ve started doing that as a substitution for Fox News. Not a bad exchange; at least I can say I do not miss Fox News. The preacher was sermonizing about the topic of Faith. I should have known that with a topic like Faith, he was going to derail at some point, and sure enough, he did.
I really do enjoy this particular preacher, and I’m not saying he purposely misled his audience; I think he was sincerely giving them all he understood, but I believe he was sincerely in error. By the way, it should be stated that sincerity doesn’t grant license. In this sense, Adolf Hitler was certainly sincere – but sincerely wrong.
I was okay with the message this morning until the preacher began to acquire his familiar rut concerning “claiming faith”. One of the issues I have with this guy is how he uses and teaches the Bible as a “system”. He loves to talk about the “law of faith” and how to work it as a system. This kind of verbiage hits me crosswise every time. This morning he even said that Faith was synonymous with the Word of God. Synonymous! I’m wondering, does one have to go to a real seminary to think this is logical? And considering my lack of formal education in spiritual matters, it’s embarrassing for me to even know this guy’s off base. No, I’m not angry with him, but it is frustrating.
In Hebrews 11:1-6 we can read about what Faith is. In verse 1 we are clearly told Faith is 1) a substance of things hoped for, and 2) evidence of things not seen [NKJV]. The New American Standard translation changes these words to assurance and conviction respectively. Then in Romans 10:17, it says ‘So faith comes from hearing and hearing (comes) by the word **(Greek: “Rhema”) of Christ.’
As we digest these scriptures let’s consider honestly – do those folks in the ‘claim it’ camp really have victory? Do they get their lives blessed by “working” this system? Really? Then where are they?? And shouldn’t we ask if us getting blessed is the overall purpose of Christ? Not that He doesn’t want to bless us, but is that what all this is about? Really?? Is that all there is to life on this planet? Let’s just cut to the (television) point = “Just be blessed and send me money.” There now, isn’t that easier to understand, and more honest at the same time?
Let’s climb into the inner vault of God’s riches….Faith comes from us being enabled to hear the words of Christ with the ears of our hearts. As we hear His word **(Greek: “Rhema”) spoken directly to us as individuals, Faith springs up, is born (comes to life) in our hearts, and what we have hoped for becomes a present reality in our lives as it is given to us by God (Dt. 29:29).
An example: many times I have been afflicted and have prayed for relief or healing. At some point in my search for God’s heart, (as opposed to pulling out a “Promise Book”), He has spoken directly to me, and it is at that time I knew I had been healed. It was a done-deal, and I could rejoice with heartfelt gratitude – even though the physical manifestations had not happened yet! There is a proper place for “claim it”, and that place is right after we’ve heard a (personal) word to us from God, and it is then that we can claim possession of that particular Word. God’s spoken word has always resulted in an assurance, and this assurance produces substance.
By the way, I don’t think it’s a righteous motive to seek God so we can get Him to spring loose of stuff for us. And if it’s not a righteous motive, it’s not from God in the first place. God sent Jesus so we could spend eternity with Him – starting right now.
** [“Rhema”; Strong’s Concordance #G4487 and G4483]
John
