Aspects of Faith (Faith — Part 4)

The Bible speaks of several aspects, or applications, of faith.  All of them involve hearing God’s Word and responding. We’ll look at three of them.

Saving Faith

This is the meaning of faith that you’ve been studying so far.  It is personal belief that Jesus Christ is God, that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for sins, and that He has risen and is alive.  This is the faith that is spoken of in Romans 4:5: But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.

Serving Faith

Serving faith involves your personal service to God.  You are a member of the body of Christ.  You believe what He has told you in the Bible about your place in the Church.  So, what function will you perform for that body?

Romans 12:6-8 says: Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

God, in His wisdom, has given each member of the body of Christ a gift to be used to further the ministry of the body.  Some people have been given the ability to speak before large crowds and inspire others to a more mature relationship with God.  Others have been given the ability to teach in smaller groups.  And some are at their best when ministering to individuals.

The gifts differ from each other, and the degree of ability differs from person to person.  Every individual must decide what his or her gift is and what niche he or she should fill in the service of the body.  It is between the individual and God.  You should not pattern your ministry after others or try to convince others to pattern their ministry after yours.  This is a personal matter.  Romans 14:22a says: Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God …

What is your gift?

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How will you use it for the body of Christ?

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Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).

Sanctifying Faith

You know that you are saved by faith in Jesus Christ.  But faith doesn’t stop there.

This aspect of faith enables you to mature in your Christian life.  You have experienced God’s grace through His gift of salvation.  Now you move on, relying on God to strengthen you as you face temptation, to give you peace as you deal with trials, and to love you unconditionally.

Ephesians 3:16-19 says:  That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Is this type of faith available to all Christians?

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How can you access it?

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