There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
God gives us believers gifts of the Holy Spirit. We do not know why exactly God’s will is for us to have any of these gifts, but we are thankful for any blessings, giftings, and corrections that He gives us. Faith — it is a gift, and all we need is about the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20).
To each and every one of us, a measure of faith has been assigned by God (Romans 12:3). Moses had faith to lead Israel to the Promised Land, Sarah had faith that she would conceive even in her old age, and Noah had faith that God had spoken to him to build the ark even when everyone thought he was crazy (Hebrews 11).
There isn’t any formula that is alongside this gift of faith, and to think that there would be, it would be much more difficult to have faith. Believing in faith is easy, but in our finite minds, thoughts barricade what is truly simple.
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 (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Faith Without Proof
There are miracles everywhere mentioned in the New Testament. Many people today have seen what the goodness of God can do through miracles. In Mark 2, Jesus was in a crowded house in Capernaum.
There were four men carrying a paralytic man, trying to reach Jesus. They had to make a hole in the roof of the house in order to bring the paralyzed man to be healed by Jesus. This act was an act of faith by the four men, and Jesus saw their faith in the man being healed of his affliction.
Well, the man not only got healed but his sins were forgiven. Miracles are a wondrous gift, but having faith without seeing is believing that it is possible even though it seems impossible (2 Corinthians 5:7).
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Our hope is in Christ alone. Without faith, there is no hope. We have faith that when winter begins to thaw, and the snow begins to fade away, that the seeds that were planted in the previous season shall burst forth.
Springtime is a joy to see what was planted and is to come up from the cold ground. We cannot see the seeds with our own eyes, but by faith, we hope to see the plants and flowers come up from the earth to bring joy and harvest.
Childlike Faith
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matthew 18:1-5).
Children are like sponges. They absorb everything they can see, touch, and hear. In a classroom, it is a teacher’s job to assure that the children are learning what is being taught. Children learn from their families as to what is wrong and what is right.
But what they are the best at is having faith. Think about when you were a child, what did you have hope for? I hoped that I could see the world that God created. As I got older, I realized what goes into making those dreams come true.
I then began to see that it may not ever happen, and my faith became less in that area of my life. I let my fears become my reality because I didn’t truly believe that I could travel the world. But that dream did come true.
I have barely begun to travel the whole world, but I believe and have faith that God will bring me to places that He wills for my life.
In Romans 10:17, the Bible states, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Our thoughts can be louder than the Word of God if we let them. The Holy Spirit within us shows us what is truth and what is not.
The gift of faith is truth and grace that has been given to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The spiritual gift of faith is believing the truth, God’s truth. No matter what happens whether you receive what you are believing in or not, your confidence cannot be swayed.
The fear, worry, and circumstances do not determine your level of faith. If God has given you this spiritual gift of faith, then trust, without doubt, that He will do as He wills for your life.
A Closing Prayer
Father, we thank you for everything, and we love you with all that we are. I pray that those that have been given this spiritual gift of faith will never waiver. I pray that we will trust and believe you always God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For further reading:
How to Live Out Faith Found in Hebrews 11
What Is a Profession of Faith?
Should We Have a Childlike Faith?
What Does it Mean to Have Faith in Jesus?
Why Did God Withhold from His Most Faithful in the Bible?
Is There a Spiritual Gifts List?
Can a Christian Doubt God and Still Have Faith?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/AnnaStills
Rebecca Mashburn (Gordon) has a wonderful husband named Joseph. She has a blog, Trust. Lean, Seek and is working on becoming what God is calling her to. She has a bachelor's in psychology and hopes to one day pursue a degree in biblical counseling. Rebecca loves to be in nature, especially in springtime, and she loves to travel. She has a loving family and hopes one day to have children of her own.
