Commentary on "The Fruit of the Spirit is Faithfulness"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, February 13, 2010

 

Overview

Today we will gain an understanding of faith and faithfulness by examining the Biblical exposition on the meaning and source of our faith.

 

Observations

What is faith?

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. (Heb. 1:1-2 ESV)

What is the source of Biblical faith?

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:1-2 ESV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph. 2:8-9 ESV)

The source of our faith is a gift from God. God the Father gives us Jesus Christ who is represented by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is our faith.

Keeping in mind that Jesus is the Word mentioned in John 1:1, we need to ask; How do we receive this faith?

But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:8-9 ESV)

When you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe God raised him from the dead you will be saved. You now have the Word, Jesus Christ, who is our complete and perfect faith.

As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered." And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:20-24 ESV)

Jesus mentions no conditions of how good we are to become or degrees of a growing faith in a ‘spiritual development formula’. Jesus simple says we are to believe. Our problem is doubt. We have a choice to make, a decision to ‘walk in the faith’ that he gives us.

 

Summary

1. The gift of salvation includes the imputed faith that can only come from and is Jesus Christ. Because of our Savior we can have “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.
2. The faith ‘to move mountains’ is impossible for anyone other than those who have the source of faith, Jesus Christ. To display this faith is the work of the Holy Spirit and is the Spirit’s fruit of faithfulness that is displayed in our lives.
3. When we speak in faith “it will be done” because the faith we have is centered on Jesus Christ, who is faith.

 

GO TO DAY 2

 

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