How faith comes

Over the past two Sundays we have been closely examining the subject of “faith.” And judging by your responses, the message of “faith” is being received with much enthusiasm. And this pleases me. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” The Message says, “It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.”

Nothing can compensate for lack of faith. Choosing not to believe is an insult to God. “If we have faith in God's Son, we have believed what God has said. But if we don't believe what God has said about his Son, it is the same as calling God a liar” (1 John 5:10). So how can God be please with anyone that makes Him out to be a liar? But the flip side is this - nothing pleases God more than steadfast faith in all that He is and all that He’s promised to do.

“Faith” is the only thing that gives God His proper place, and at the same time, puts man in his proper place. It is divinity promising to make the impossible possible, while humanity believes God to make possible the impossible. According to our recent study faith is “absolute belief in the trustworthiness of God. It is the very essence of things confidently expected; and true faith provides un-shakeable evidence that the unseen blessings of God are absolutely certain and real.”

Notice, “faith” not only believes that God exists, but it also expects Him to reward those who tirelessly seek Him. Why? Because faith provides undeniable evidence that every promise of God is an absolute certainty. There is nothing about God that makes it impossible for men to believe (or trust) in Him. The difficulty is always with us.

In the knowledge we’ve acquired, we have found out what faith does for us; and we put together an accurate description of what faith is; but how do we obtain faith? How does faith come to us?

In Romans 12:3 the apostle Paul says, “For God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” Therefore, each of us has been given the same measure of faith. God did this so that every man, woman and child may have the means by which they can receive salvation. But I’m convinced that this divine mechanism operates beyond salvation. The same measure of faith makes it possible for all believers to receive every promise of God. But if this is so, what activates this measure of faith, and where does this potency come from?

The mechanism that activates your faith, and where it comes from, are one and the same. Romans 10:17 states, “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Young's Literal Translation says, “So then faith [is] by a report and the report through a saying of God.” All translators seem to agree that faith comes by hearing something that God has said. Therefore, there must be something spoken and then something heard! In God’s ordinary means of operating, people do not come to saving faith unless someone first tells them the good news about Jesus Christ.

Notice, it is the Word of God which the Holy Spirit uses to activate the measure of faith that God has deposited in us, and it’s the reliability of the Word of God on which we rest our faith for salvation. God speaks through His word, and when the message is received, the faith within us is activated. This measure of faith then reaches out and receives salvation by the workings of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, faith will rise up in people only when they hear our preaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ (which is based on the word of God). But hearing with ears is not enough. A person must hear with an open heart and mind, willing to receive the truth. If he does, he will find out that the word has power and that the truth is self-authenticating. And the outcome? He will believe! But remember, the hearing mentioned in this verse does not involve the ears exclusively. The message from God, for example, might also be read, so “to hear” means to receive the message by whatever means available. Hence, as long as you know that it is God delivering a personal message to you, and you hear with an open heart and mind, faith will be activated - faith will come.

I am aware that the faith mentioned in Romans 10:17 is saving faith, but I firmly believe that this process works just as effectively after you’ve received salvation. Faith comes every time you hear a spoken word from God (a message you believe is for you personally). And this is why the Greek word “rhema” is used, as opposed to “logos.” “Rhema” denotes “that which is spoken, what is uttered in speech or writing.” But the significance of “rhema” (as distinct from “logos”) is exemplified in the instruction to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

Here the reference is definitely not the whole Bible as such, but the individual scripture which the Holy Spirit brings to your remembrance for use in a time of need (when faith needs to be activated). “Rhema” is when the Holy Spirit breaths life into an individual scripture (a personal word to you from God) and this in turn causes faith to come. Therefore, faith comes by hearing (and receiving) a particular or individual word from God that has become alive in you through revelation given by the Holy Spirit.

This divine process is also mentioned in Psalm 119:130, “The entrance of Your word gives light, it gives understanding to the simplehearted.” When ever God’s word is allowed to “enter” the human heart and illuminate mind it brings forth revelation. And the result of this distinctive revelation is faith.

Earlier in Romans 10 the word “rhema” appears twice in the same verse (verse 8), But what does it say, “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach).

Can you see? “Rhema” is used in reference to faith! And the emphasis is on the “words” being spoken to others. Implying that your words have the power to activate faith in another person. Yes, the Word of God will never return void because He watches over it. And it may not matter who delivers it. But the outcome with regards “faith” is determined by the hearer, not the one delivering the message. When the Word of God is spoken, it demands a response. A person must hear with an open heart and mind, believing that God cares enough to reward him.

Many Christians in the UK have never embraced the “faith message,” and consequently, when ever (and however) God speaks they do not relate it to faith. This leaves them open to superstition and the “be it Thy will” theology. The truth is, God doesn’t waist His words! When He speaks , the measure of faith in you and me is programmed to respond. It immediately reaches out and grabs the promise of God the relates to that particular situation. Faith reaches out and believes that when God said it - that settled it! Faith “believes that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

If God has placed a measure of faith in us in order to receive the promise of salvation then surely there is a measure of faith in us to receive every other promise of God. And the very thing that activates and ignites this faith, the Word of God, will continue doing exactly the same and getting the same results. All we need to monitor and get accustomed to, is the voice of God.

You must be able to discern when the “rhema” of the Lord is being directed at you and your needs. And the moment you know and allow His word to penetrate your heart and mind, faith will come to you!
“So then, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word (rhema) of God.” Very simply, hearing a “rhema” is a guarantee that faith will come!

Chris Demetriou, 21/01/2007