WHAT FAITH IS NOT

When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so GREAT FAITH, no, not in Israel – Luke 7:9

As we continue to explore the Frontiers of Faith, it is prime time to deal with “WHAT FAITH IS NOT” so that we can be firm on WHAT FAITH IS! It is hazardous to be vague on the matter of faith, a subject of such immense significance to our lives and destinies! It takes Faith to stand, walk, live, fight, overcome the world and taste the sweetness of Victory.

Faith is neither a FEELING nor mere emotions. Feelings fluctuate like the weather, but Faith in God’s Word never fails. Faith is not physical or emotional evidence, but spiritual ‘substance’. It is spiritual proof from the Word of God, that what exists in the spirit realm will be made manifest in the physical. Faith is spiritual and it controls, shapes and rules the physical.

Faith is not empty ASSUMPTION or foolish PRESUMPTION. It is not GUESSWORK or living by trial-and-error. It is not a rash claim, void of evidence. Faith is not MENTAL ASSENT to the “letter” of the Bible, but a heart-conviction of God’s Word.

Faith is not irresponsible RISK or recklessness. It is not a blind leap into the unknown. It is not a blind jump into the dark. It is not taking hasty action without revelation, instruction or conviction of God’s Word and Will. There is always evidence behind faith; not physical evidence, but evidence of God’s Word and the Integrity of His Person.

Faith is not a FIGMENT of the imagination. It is not fantasy, fiction or make-belief. It is not just one of many theological subjects up for argument and debate. Faith is real, practical, supernatural and evidence-based – evidence of God’s Word.

Faith is neither a FORMULA nor a PHILOSOPHY. It is more than POSITIVE CONFESSION. Faith is not founded on common sense but on Bible sense. It is not all about “naming-and-claiming” what belongs to others.

Faith is not a RELIGION. It is not a religious concept, a Creed cast in stone, or a set of religious rules. Religion is an uncertain search for an unknown God (Acts 17:23). Religion conforms, but faith transforms.

The example of the Centurion’s GREAT FAITH demonstrates that Faith is simply TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD to the point of obedience. Faith is a CONVICTION based on the reality of God and the evidence of His Word. What Jesus saw in the Centurion was not feelings, emotions, presumption and risk-taking, figment of imagination, formula, philosophy, or religion. The Lord saw a man who simply took Him at His Word: “…but say in a WORD, and my servant shall be healed” (Lk.7:7).

Everything in life may change, but God’s Word remains the same (Isa.40:8; Matt.24:35). No matter how you feel or what you experience, you can choose to depend on the Word of God as the unchanging reality if your life. Now…that is FAITH!