In preparing this lesson, I used a web-based tool from BibleHub.Com. The entire “HELPS Word Study” was wonderful!!! I will be expounding from the materials present there. If you would like to see the original, feel free to visit http://biblehub.com/greek/4102.htm
The word “Faith” comes from the Greek word “Pistis”.
Pístis (from peithô, meaning “persuade, be persuaded”) – properly, persuasion (be persuaded, come to trust); faith.
Faith is always a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people. In short, faith for the believer is “God’s divine persuasion” – and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence) yet involving it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer, so they can know what He prefers. This way they can know the persuasion of His will. I John 5:4 says,
“for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
Pistis, in secular antiquity, referred to a guarantee (warranty). In Scripture, faith is God’s warranty, certifying that the revelation He inbirthed will come to pass His way.
Faith (pistis) is also used collectively – of all the times God has revealed (given the persuasion of) His will, which includes the full revelation of Scripture (Jude 3). Indeed, God the Lord guarantees that all of this revelation will come to pass!
“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:18
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17
Faith is God’s divine persuasion. It is a warranty, guaranteeing that we will find ourselves in sync with His will and purpose. We could not have come to him without His first revealing Himself to us and birthing faith in our heart.
The scripture says that the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord and that the just shall live by faith. This means that we will find ourselves walking into the very Will of God as we live by faith. Or rather, as we live within the divine persuasion of God.
Many times, we don’t know which way to turn or what to do, but scripture is clear, Isaiah 30:21 says,
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
But faith is so much more than just know what to do or which way to go. It is literally a “way of life” for the Child of God. It is so that we would be in sync with the very heart and mind of God, fulfilling His will on this earth. Not, just getting “stuff” but rather walking and fulfilling God’s purpose in the earth. His guaranteed purpose. His persuaded purpose.
Focus your heart on your divine gift from God and walk in his purpose.
One thought on “Faith: The Most Precious Gift from God Pt. 1 By Pastor Shari Stephens”
Love this! Yes indeed “God’s divine persuasions, drawing , leading and guiding. Without Him we would all be out of “The Way; His ways” . My thoughts after much study also in the Greek are that faith is a joint effort with the leading and guidance of the work of the Holy Spirit. He (partial job description) is the one who brings us into all truth.. (John 16:13). We are His workmanship,yet we are blessed and privileged to play a role in the faith walk. Our work is to seek, find and grow in the faith, allowing God to take us from the present glory we are in to His greater glories through personal relationship, prayer, obedience and scripture, for according to the Holy Word of God “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. (Romans 10:17). How precious are his ways towards us carrying us on Holy Spirit winds to greater measures of faith and trust in Him as we in obedience seek Him with the whole of our hearts, minds, souls and bodies! And even “If we believe not, yet He stays faithful” (some translations say “faithless): “He cannot deny himself”. II Timothy 2:13. Truly our amazing God is “the author and finisher of our faith”. (Hebrews 12:2) keeping His promise to “perfect all that concerns us”. (Psalm 138:8)
Thank You Pastor Shari for stirring me on to confirm my faith in my living, life-giving Lord God today!