There is a tragic trend happening in our country. Many Americans are no longer associating themselves with Christianity. Although the United States is not a Christian nation, it had a majority that aligned with Christian values. If the trend continues, even those who claim to be Christians will be the minority. While society is forsaking faith and religion, this has no actual bearing on God’s plan for the elect (Matthew 24:22).
We have been learning about the true man of God. The man of God belongs to God and flees from ‘these things’, which is the love of money. The man of God pursues righteousness relentlessly. They also pursue godliness, which means they fear the Lord, worship Him and live according to His will.
Today, we will see that the man of God pursues faith.
Let’s make a clarification. Faith can mean saving faith or practical faith in daily living. Saving faith is the root and foundation of practical faith (John 1:11, Romans 3:22). We all need saving faith in Jesus to be forgiven. Faith by itself does not save. Jesus is the one who saves but it is through faith we receive that salvation.
While listening to Paul’s urging, we might think Timothy was a weak and struggling Christian. Timothy was actually a strong Christian whom Paul depended on. He was a hard-working servant of God that risked his life for the gospel. So when Apostle Paul tells Timothy to pursue faith it is not because Timothy is not a Christian or in sin and in need of rebuke. It is not saving faith that Paul is referring to.
What is faith then? Hebrews 11:1 says faith is the assurance of things not seen. It is confidence and hope in something we have not yet obtained. It is knowing without a doubt that we will get it. When you buy something new, you don’t really need faith that it will work, since it’s new. “Faith describes a firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth, veracity, reality or faithfulness. Faith is not just a mental assent but a firm conviction, a surrender to that truth, and a conduct emanating from or in accord with one’s surrender. In sum, faith shows itself genuine by a changed life. .” Acting like it will become what they are assured and convinced” – Anonymous
Biblical faith is more than just a blind trust that something will happen in the future. Biblical faith is different because of who and what that faith is put in.
Biblical faith is in God’s word. They were charged to read and outreach the word of God diligently with the goal of that teaching being a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5;4:14). Therefore a strong faith rests in the word of God. There are many difficult situations and times where we struggle but we must cling to the Bible because it is reliable and sufficient. “[Biblical] infallibility means unable to mislead or fail in accomplishing the divinely intended purpose.” – John Macarthur
Biblical faith also places its faith in Jesus (Galatians 2:20). It realizes the love of Jesus and trusts in the life of Jesus. Without Jesus we cannot have faith or grow it since Jesus is the author and perfecter of it (Hebrews 12:2). Our faith and its pursuit depend on Jesus. We must be like the woman in Mark 5:28 who thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” May we seek Christ desperately for a touch.
Faith trusts in God’s promises. Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass (Joshua 21:45). Those who know God’s promises can rely on God for He will surely fulfill them. In summary, “Faith is believing that Christ is what He is said to be and that He will do what He has promised to do, and then to expect this of Him.” – Charles Spurgeon.
Characteristics of pursuing faith
- When things happen, you respond with faith first. If you respond with your emotions or man-made ideas then it’s too late. A biblical faith reacts by faith. “Faith is a refusal to panic” – Martyn Lloyd Jones. Remember the disciples in the storm. They tried to survive on their own and only when they were about to die did they cry out to Jesus. So Jesus rebuked them for a lack of faith. He was with them, they merely had to turn to Him.
- Biblical faith is faithful in any circumstance. There are those who try to sell faith calling it ‘seed faith’. They say by giving money in faith, God would reward you multiple times over. This is deceitful and false. Biblical faith rests in the word of God alone. It remains steadfast despite how the situation turns out and it endures to the end (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
- Biblical faith is a growing faith. Faith is like a muscle, if you don’t exercise it, it will grow weak. But if you keep using it then it will grow stronger. Exercising faith understands that God loves us and turns to Him in our time of need. Even though Jesus experienced such suffering and pain, alone on the cross, He turned to the Father. Not only do we have the Father, but also the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:16-18). The Spirit is with us and we walk with Him. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit but repent.
How do you grow your faith? A growing faith is a faith that bears fruit. To grow your faith, examine your love for God. Love God more and more, think about God and meet Him in the Word and prayer. Also, ask yourself, “Do you love your brothers?” True faith loves both God and man (1 John 4:20).
Another sign of growing faith is a willingness to forgive others. The disciples asked for more faith after Jesus told them to forgive (Luke 17:4-5). To forgive is to be like Christ. Christ forgives us and we in turn forgive others. To not forgive is to forget the gospel, to ignore the salvation that we claim.
Without faith, we cannot receive any blessing from God. Without faith, the kingdom of God doesn’t advance and the church does not grow. Without faith, everything is sin. However, by faith, we can please God. What an amazing blessing, that through faith, we can actually please the holy God. Faith turns our rags into radiance. By faith, we are God’s elect and we show the world how great He is to us. Faith is not so we can have a better life. We pursue faith because we pursue Jesus Christ and we might obtain Him.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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