Greetings Brethren:

Faith in Jehovah God is the cornerstone for those who seek to grow in the Spirit. However, this wicked world sees the multitudes seeking the little faith of man and money. Who will you call upon? Who will you place your trust in? We (FreedomJournal) place our Faith and Trust in the Creator who can move a mountain with a breath of the mighty wind. The Creator that can raise a rain storm that pours rivers of rain upon the earth. We see great Faith in the Power that brings the snow of Winter, the colorful leaves in the Fall, the birds and flowers that bloom in Spring and the hot and cool of Summer sunshine. Peace and Love, Carl Patton a willing slave of Jehovah God and a servant of the people writing for the FreedomJournal July 13, 2001 in the year of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. CHRISTIANITY: FALSE TEACHING, FALSE DOCTRINES THE MIRACLE OF HEALING PART 32: WHAT IS FAITH?

In the name of Jehovah God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.

Faith is an active part in the life of a Christian. Faith is also an integral part in the healing process. Webster defines faith as trust, a belief without proof. It is also described as the substances and basis or foundation which something rests.

Meanwhile the Bible tells us that faith is more than belief. To believe something usually takes in account certain facts. However, faith is obedience to God and living out the word.

In the Old Testament the word faith appears only twice. Deuteronomy 32:20. "And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith."

In the Book of Habakkuk we find the second use of the word faith. Here we see the prophet Habakkuk standing at the Watch Tower waiting to receive God's message.

Habakkuk 2:4. "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."

This passage of scripture has been a great inspiration for Christians. The just (the righteous) live because of their faith and trust in Almighty God. Often Christians live through difficult times (the storms of life) without knowing the end results. Therefore the Christians faith will sustain them as they trust God who is the Director of all things to His purpose.

Meanwhile as we continue to note faith in the Old Testament, we find (Old Testament) not so much a doctrine of faith as examples of it. The foundation was the revelation that God made to Moses, regarding the Covenant.

However, one of the greatest testimonies of faith in the Bible is found in the Book of Job. If we always know why we suffer, our faith will have no room to grow. The sources of suffering are: 1. Sin 2. Other's sin. 3. Avoidable physical or natural disasters. 4. Unavoidable physical and natural disasters.

The Book of Job is a critical statement toward understanding the healing power of Almighty God. Thus when those that believe and have faith and who desire and need healing Job is a fulfilling inspiration.

Job 1:1. "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was a perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil."

Job lost all that he had through no fault of his own. Job did not know why he suffered. However it is revealed that he was not to know the reasons. Thus as Job (all believers) faced the trails of life without the answers our faith fully develops.

As we continue to study and mediate on the scripture passages in the Book of Job regarding faith we learn a great lesson. Often the good will suffer while the evil seem to go unpunished. However in Job's life we see that faith in God is justified even when life seems to be hopeless. Thus faith that is based on rewards and prosperity or un-fulfilling and lacking. Faith that is solid is based on the confidence that the will of God will come to pass.

As we move to the New Testament, we see the greatest explanations and meaning of faith. While faith and belief are rarely used in the Old Testament, it is used almost 500 times in the New Testament.

Hebrews 11:1. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Hope by itself will not do it. Faith is not hope; hope plays a part in faith. Substance and evidence notes faith which is believing. Furthermore Christianity is not usually logical. Common sense contradicts the miracles in the Bible.

Again we note that faith plays an integral part in healing. Although there has been a great emphasis on the denominational teaching of faith, faith alone will not save you. For example faith alone will not save you from a poisonous snake. Meanwhile, we should be aware of the importance of belief and faith. We cannot be saved by faith, nor can we be saved without it. Although faith alone will not save you, unbelief by itself will render you lost.

Cont. Part 33: The Book of James & Faith

About the Author

Peace be unto you.