Organic Faith
Happy Independence Day, America!
When you journey through the book of Acts of Apostles, you come to the proper knowledge of Organic Faith. Organic means Natural, Authentic, or Real. Most Christians clothe their faith with several additives, preservatives, spices, and flavors, and we must remove all the additives to faith to be in Christ. A journey through the Acts of Apostles will imprint the Faith of the Apostles on one’s mind. Without their organic faith, there would have been no gospel, and the spread of the gospel witnessed today would have been impossible.
In ‘Faith,’ we have a God-installed need for a deep relationship and fellowship with God. A superficial relationship between God and humankind is an enemy of faith. Faith is summarized in four short sentences:
- God said it
- It is settled
- I believe it
- I receive it.
Faith is what transforms Sovereignty from philosophy or theology into reality. Faith is that Character quality that allows us to trust God to do what He said He would do. Hebrews 11 defines faith as: “The confidence assurance that something we want will happen, and it is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us even though we cannot see it up ahead.” Hebrews 11:1 (LB).
We express faith in two areas:
- the assurance of things hoped for
- the conviction of things not seen.
The Heroes & Heroines of Faith in the pre-Christian era are listed in Hebrews 11. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, and only by faith do we believe God exists. Faith must have an object and the proper object of genuine Faith in Jesus Christ.
Many Christians today add to their faith preservatives or additives; such as:
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Predictability
You presume you know what will happen and can predict God. You set your heart on your own will rather than doing and staying in God’s Will. Your way in your sight is good and pleasing.
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Efficiency
Jesus wants your dependency on Him. The Scripture says, “I can do all things through Christ that gives me strength,”; but you think you know the best and fastest way to reach the desired effects rather than leaning on the directive of the Holy Spirit.
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Superficial Relationships
It is disheartening that one can find in the Church of today; racism, ethnicity, tribalism, and all sorts of class segregation; the rich versus the poor; the nobles & royals versus peasants & servants. We read in Acts 2: 44 that all believers were together, with no segregation, having fellowship and sharing things. Also, in verse 46, we read that they continued to meet every day; they broke bread in homes – deep relationships, not superficial. God is love, and Faith in God brings about love among brethren.
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Appearance Obsession
There is a tendency to want to mix with only those that dress well, flamboyantly, or in rich attires while forsaking those that don’t dress up-to-date or in peasants’ dresses. Organic faith does not focus on appearance; God is a Spiritual being and looks inward rather than the outside appearance.
Unbelievers or non-Christians do not have Faith in God. Faith is for the regenerated souls. It is the food of Spiritual Babes to make them grow into maturity. Faith in God is a gigantic step to Spiritual maturity. In elementary teaching, faith can be regarded as the counterpart of repentance. As repentance is turning away from the darkness of sin, faith is turning to the light of God.
Faith is the substance of Hope. A Hope in what is to come. Faith is that firm conviction within you that confirms the Word of God. Faith drives out fear. It makes you relaxed and calm amid danger knowing the LORD you serve. In times of trial and temptations, faith is the hand that holds you upright. Like a mustard seed, you must allow your Faith in God to grow. It is your Faith in God that gives you protection against your enemies. Your faith is tied to your trust in God and your knowledge of your creator. If you know God’s Character and Attributes, you will have Faith in Him and will not fear the devil or his demonic elements. Faith makes you bold that you can defend your belief in the living God despite any terminal threat to your physical life.
Esther could say, “Even if I perish, I perish,” due to her faith in the living God. Daniel’s faith in the living God prepared him to be a meal for the ferocious Lions rather than worship the King’s idols. Paul said either he lives or dies; he belongs to Christ. He boldly defended his faith in the living God.
The Righteous Live by Faith.
One must allow faith to grow like the mustard seed. Faith is never perfect; belief and unbelief are often mixed, so we must continually ask God to increase our faith. Mark 9: 24 says, “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” Luke 17:5 says, “The apostles said to the LORD, “increase our faith.” Miracles, Signs, and Wonders follow only those who believe and have faith in the living God. Without faith, you can not get your desired miracle. You must believe God exists and can do what you are asking Him to do. “Then he said to him, “Rise and go”; Your Faith has made you well.” Luke 17:19
Faith makes you seek God’s Will and do His Will. Faith taught the writer of Ecclesiastes that God has ordered all things according to His purposes (3:1-15, 5:19, 6:1-2; 9:1) and that man’s role is to accept these, including his limitations, as God’s appointments. Faith drives out the fear of our enemies but makes a man fear God and keep His commandments. Hebrews 11 is written on Faith of the Saints, and it is worth reading the whole chapter and meditating on the Word. The Saints of old had faith and were counted for them, and they triumphed and became sons of God. You need faith to move into God’s Will, His perfect and good Will.
