Faith: The Power Of Believing Big

Having big faith is directly proportional to one's view of God. If one perceives God as a big God, capable of performing miracles and changing hearts, then they will have big faith. Conversely, if one views God as small and controllable, their faith will be limited. Rose Marie Miller, a missionary to the Sikh community in England, asserts that the strength of one's faith is determined by their understanding of Christ's power. The bigger the perception of God, the stronger the faith.

Faith is a gift from God

The apostle Paul emphasizes that even faith does not come from us, but from God's giving. This is further supported by other verses in the Bible, such as Acts 3:16, which speaks of "the faith which comes through Him." Faith is an integral part of the gift of God's grace, and it is this grace that brings about salvation.

The doctrine of faith as a gift from God is central to Christianity, separating it from other religions. It is not the result of human effort or works, but a divine gift that cannot be earned. As such, no one can boast about their faith, as it is not something that they have achieved.

The understanding of faith as a gift from God is not a new interpretation, but one that has been held throughout church history by theologians and scholars alike. This view is supported by the original language and exegesis of the biblical texts.

Faith is a foreign concept to humans, something that feels alien to us. It is not something we generate within ourselves, but rather something that is placed in us by God. This understanding of faith humbles us and makes us more aware of our need for God and His grace.

In conclusion, faith is indeed a gift from God. It is not of ourselves, but a gracious gift that brings about our salvation. This doctrine has been affirmed by theologians and is supported by Scripture, humbling us and drawing us closer to God.

Faith is tied to God and His promises

Faith is a gift from God, and it is our belief in Him and His promises that forms the foundation of our faith. The Bible talks about faith in the context of hope and confidence in things unseen (Hebrews 11:1). Paul encourages us to live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) and that with faith, we can move mountains (1 Corinthians 13:2).

The strength of our faith is directly proportional to our view of God. If we see God as a big God, capable of doing big things and bringing about change in our hearts, then our faith will be strong. On the other hand, if we see God as small and something we can define and control, then our faith will be weak.

Rose Marie Miller, a missionary to the Sikh community in England, writes in her book, "From Fear to Freedom: Living as Sons and Daughters of God," that "What you know about the power of Christ determines the strength of your faith. Know a little bit about Christ and his omnipotence, and you have weak faith; know more about Christ as the sovereign Lord, and you have more faith; know a great deal about Christ, and you are on your way to having great faith."

Our faith is not based on our feelings or circumstances but on the character and promises of God. When we feel weak in our faith, we can turn to God's Word and find stories of men and women who have struggled and yet demonstrated strong faith. We can be reminded of God's sovereignty and that He is involved in every aspect of our lives, from our blessings to our failures.

God is the author and source of our faith, and it is through His grace and mercy that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-10). Our faith is secure when it is based on God, His character, His promises, His commands, and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Faith is about knowing God's power

Faith is a powerful force that stems from our knowledge of God's might and sovereignty. It is not just a feeling or an abstract concept, but a deep-rooted conviction that is grounded in the truth of God's Word. The Bible tells us that faith is the "persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true" (Hebrews 11:1). It is this assurance that gives our faith its strength and substance.

The size of our faith is directly related to our understanding of God's power and nature. When we recognize God as a big God, capable of accomplishing incredible things, our faith expands. We see this in the words of Rose Marie Miller, a missionary to the Sikh community in England, who wrote, "What you know about the power of Christ determines the strength of your faith. Know a little bit about Christ and his omnipotence, and you have weak faith; know more about Christ as sovereign Lord, and you have more faith."

Our faith grows as we acknowledge God's involvement in every aspect of our lives. He is intimately acquainted with our joys, sorrows, triumphs, and failures. Nothing escapes His notice, and even when He chooses not to act, it is ultimately for our benefit. This understanding of God's omnipresence and sovereignty should be the foundation of our faith.

However, it's important to remember that the object of our faith is more important than the amount of faith we possess. Our faith is secure when it is rooted in God's character, promises, commands, and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even a small faith, placed firmly in Jesus Christ, will uphold us through life's challenges.

Ultimately, faith is a gift from God, and it is through His power that our faith is sustained. When we feel weak or uncertain, we can turn to God's Word and find reassurance in the stories of men and women who have faced similar struggles. Their examples remind us that our faith is not dependent on our circumstances but on the unchanging nature of our mighty God.

God is involved in every aspect of life

The idea of having big faith is tied to the belief in a big God, one who is capable of doing big things and is involved in every aspect of life. This notion suggests that the magnitude of one's faith is proportional to their view of God. If one perceives God as vast and omnipotent, their faith will be strong, whereas a limited perception of God's capabilities will result in weaker faith.

The concept of a "big God" implies a deity intimately involved in the minutiae of life, from the mundane to the extraordinary. This involvement extends to all facets of human existence, including failings, blessings, accidents, regrets, and transformations. According to this belief, nothing is outside God's sovereign governance, and every detail of life is directed by God. This perspective is supported by various biblical passages, such as Proverbs 16:9, which states, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis is often cited as an example of God's intricate involvement in the details of human life. God's providential hand is seen in various aspects of Joseph's life, from his birth order within his family to his prophetic dreams, and even in the evil actions of others towards him. Believers hold that God works all things together for good, as stated in Romans 8:28, and that he is a Good Shepherd who guides his flock through both green pastures and the valley of the shadow of death, as described in Psalm 23.

The belief in God's involvement in every aspect of life has significant implications for faith. It suggests that faith is not just about religious rituals or good works but also about recognizing God's presence in the ordinary and mundane. This perspective encourages individuals to pay close attention to the small details of their lives, trusting that God is actively working in and through them. Ultimately, this belief provides a sense of hope and confidence, knowing that God is in control and working towards a greater purpose, even in the midst of suffering or adversity.

While some may struggle with the idea of God's sovereignty and question their own faith during difficult times, it is important to remember that faith is a gift from God. It is not about having a "big enough" faith but about having faith in a big God. Turning to God's Word and seeking guidance from biblical stories and characters who have faced similar struggles can help strengthen one's faith and provide comfort during challenging times.

Faith is about believing in the unseen

Faith is not just a New Testament concept. It is woven throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New. The psalmist, for example, sings of faith in Psalm 119:30: "I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws." Abraham, too, demonstrated faith, as Genesis 15:6 says that his faith was "credited to him as righteousness."

The size of one's faith is directly proportional to their view of God. If one sees God as vast and capable of performing miracles, their faith will be strong. Conversely, if one perceives God as limited and defined by human constraints, their faith will be weak.

Rose Marie Miller, a missionary to the Sikh community in England, captures this idea in her book, "From Fear to Freedom: Living as Sons and Daughters of God." She writes, "What you know about the power of Christ determines the strength of your faith. Know a little bit about Christ and his omnipotence, and you have weak faith; know more about Christ as sovereign Lord, and you have more faith; know a great deal about Christ, and you are on your way to having great faith."

Ultimately, our faith is secure when it is based on God, His character, His promises, and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Faith is a gift from God, and it is through Him that our faith continues to grow and be filled with hope and confidence.

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