A FRESH FAITH-FOCUS

A FRESH FAITH-FOCUS
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb.11:1. If faith is both the substance and the evidence then what are we waiting for. How can any manifestation of any proportion (or lack thereof) add or subtract value to what faith already sees, knows and enjoys?! Paul learns what it means to be content in ill repute and good repute, in abundance and lack! This suggests that abundance is not always a sign of God’s goodness neither is lack a sign of God’s absence! Phil.4:11,12, Hab.3:17-19. Faith understands fullness; His fullness is continued in us!

Spirit-faith is so much more than ‘the in-between-thing!’ It is not the psychological bridge between what you don’t have and what you need! That is called positive thinking, or goal setting, which we are all familiar with as a natural law as much as sowing and reaping is also a natural law. There is nothing wrong with that; it is how any business or individual succeeds in the natural realm of the senses. Spirit-faith operates in a dimension of far greater significance. Its reference is rooted in what God knows: God sees mankind included in Christ. “God calls things which are not (visible) as though they were.” Rom.4:17. “We have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, “I believe and so I speak”, we too believe and so we speak while we look not at the things that are seen but at things that are unseen.” 2Cor.4:13,18. Note that this kind of faith is not a blind-fold, leap-in-the-dark kind of faith; it is a seeing, and therefore speaking a greater reality. “We impart this in words not taught by human wisdom (reduced to human experience) but taught by the Spirit, combining and intertwining spirit with spirit.” 1 Cor.2:13. “Deep calls unto deep!” Ps.42:7. Paul is so confident about the fact that man is spirit compatible, that he refuses to tamper with the word in order to squeeze it into an inferior mould of familiar human experience or popular traditional opinion. But by the open (unveiled) statement of the truth, the opinion of God revealed in the face of Christ as in a mirror, he appeals to every man’s conscience. 2 Cor.3:18, 4:2. “When you read this, you will perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,” he says. Eph.3:4. Man is designed to live life in the largest sense of the word, ignited and sustained by the expression of God’s opinion. (‘Every word that proceeds from His mouth’) The substance of this faith is found in the revelation of man’s true spirit identity. “He brought us forth by the Word of truth.” To continue in this Word is to discover the liberating law of sonship! James 1:18,25, John 8:31,32,36. In these last days God spoke to us in a son! Heb.1:2 This faith comes from God; it is the faith of God. He is the Originator and Author as well as the final conclusion of our faith, it is “from faith to faith.” Rom.1:17, Heb.12:2. How can the father of lies compete with the Everlasting Father, the Father of truth?

The substance of Simon’s faith was his spirit identity, his true sonship: “Simon, son of Jona, I call you Peter and on this Rock will I build my church.” Abraham’s faith did not find its substance in Isaac in the first place, but in friendship with God, based on his spirit identity! (His identity is revealed in his faith-name, father of many nations!) Herein is the secret of his faith: “I am your exceeding great reward, says the Lord!” Gen.15:1,6. Faith is a ‘friendship with God-thing’ before anything else! What makes friendship with God not only possible but also irresistible is the revelation of man’s origin (his true spirit identity) and restored innocence. Anything, even Isaac must go to the altar rather than substitute the real thing! Abraham’s faith was reckoned to him as righteousness twenty-five years before Isaac! Rom.4.This faith is a gift embraced not an achievement won through religious discipline: i.e. diligent study, meditation, fasting, giving, prayer and parrot-type confessions, etc. (Not that there is anything wrong with these disciplines, as long as it is because of, and not in order to!) Eph.2:8.
The living eternal Word revealed in the life death and resurrection of Jesus as mankind’s life, death and resurrection ignites faith-revelation in the consciousness of man. Rom.10:17. This is the mystery that was hidden for ages. “None of the rulers of this age understood this, if they had, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory.” 1Cor.2:7,8. The faith of God reveals His eternal purpose and opinion, which is to unite all things in Himself, things in heaven and things on earth! Eph.1:9,10, Eph.3:11. God did enough in Christ to reconcile, (unite) the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them! 2Cor.5:19. “All of creation eagerly anticipates the revelation of the sons of God! Rom.8:19.

Part of a booklet by Francois du Toit
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