The Spirit of Faith

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light; and there was light.’” Gen. 1:1-3. In other words, God was the first one to speak in the Spirit of faith! As far as we know, this was the first thing He did. “Let there be light!” And He speaks to us in the same Spirit of faith! “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:6. For us who believe in Him, these verses bring a tremendous hope that His creative power will do a monumental work of salvation within us. God Himself had to command light to shine out of darkness. From this we understand that He has not made our salvation dependent on our human gifts and resources. He knows that nothing good dwells in our flesh (Rom. 7:18), and He knows that “the carnal mind is enmity with God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Rom. 8:7-8. Mankind is in darkness. We have been powerless since the fall, and yet God has commanded His light to shine into this darkness. “But we have this trea­sure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; perse­cuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Cor. 4:7-9.

What power was manifested by the life Paul lived! You can partake of exactly the same power and the same abundant life. The gospel places no limitations on what we can attain of the life of God. If we want this to be reality for us, we need the death of Christ. This is a powerful weapon against all the lusts and desires in our flesh that would prevent this work of salva­tion from happening. That is why Paul also writes further about this mystery: “Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same Spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.” 2 Cor. 4:10-15.

When we think about the possibilities that are open to us who have entered into the new covenant, we have good rea­son to examine and test ourselves to see if we are in the faith. 2 Cor. 13:5. The fire of faith must burn powerfully in your heart, you who have partaken of this heavenly calling. What promises God has given you! Think about God’s Word, and let your heart be set aflame with thoughts about the glorious future God has planned for you. See your heavenly inherit­ance in the saints, now and for all eternity.

What is written in the old covenant was written for our in­struction, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Rom. 15:4. When Goliath mocked the armies of Israel, David went out to meet him full of faith in God. When David came to the camp, he asked the men who stood by: “‘What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?’ A man of Israel said: ‘The man who kills him, the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.’” 1 Sam. 17:25-26. David was a poor shep­herd, and his father, Jesse, was old and weak. Jesse had eight sons, so there was probably not a large inheritance to split between them. David’s heart burned for God and for God’s honor. He felt it was a shame that no one had had faith in God and stepped forward in the name of the Lord to stop this giant from mocking Israel. Through this Spirit of faith he entered into God’s works, and he won for himself an eternal name, together with God. He secured a future for himself—for time and eternity. He went forward in the Spirit of faith and power with only his sling and the weapons in his shepherd’s pouch. The amazing thing is that the stone he threw struck Goliath right on the forehead!

Now it is our turn! We carry our weapons in our meeting bag! Every stone thrown in the Spirit of faith strikes precisely where it should. The Spirit of faith has been the trademark of the saints through all the ages. By this Spirit the saints have accomplished tremendous things. “By faith [Moses] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of li­ons, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women re­ceived their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better res­urrection.” Heb. 11:27-35.

The only way we can have a future is through fellowship with God. Everything else will end up in ashes. If you want a future in God’s kingdom, come into this same Spirit of faith and fire that David was in. Let your heart be set aflame for God’s kingdom, and fight for His honor. Then you will experi­ence that the Lord will fight for you. We who are living in these last days must fill ourselves with the same Spirit of faith. By this Spirit, all darkness, unbelief and doubt are driven away, and we experience that God abundantly blesses our works. We become decisive; we have the power to take ac­tion. Such men and women of faith are sorely needed in the last days—brothers and sisters who have confidence in God and who have allowed the Holy Spirit to fill them. They will spearhead the battle that is being waged to bring forth the church in glory, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that it may be holy and without blemish. Eph. 5:27.