The root of pistis or “faith” in the Greek is peithô (“to persuade, be persuaded”) which supplies the core-meaning of faith (“divine persuasion”). It is God’s warranty that guarantees the fulfillment of the revelation He births within the receptive believer. Sound familiar? Hebrews 11:1 says,
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Faith is the warranty guaranteeing the fulfilment, faith is the proof, faith is the evidence.
Scripture tells us in Romans 4:20-21, that Abraham,
“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
Let’s consider this definition of faith and replace in in some of our key scriptures for a clearer revelation:
Matthew 9:29 says,
“Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith [divine persuasion] let it be done to you’”.
In other words, its God’s will to heal you, you agree with it and have receive the persuasion that He want to do this for you, so it’s done!! Let’s look at another.
Matthew 17:20 says,
“He replied, “Because you have so little faith [divine persuasion]. Truly I tell you, if you have faith [divine persuasion] as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’”
Nothing is impossible with Faith [divine persuasion] because it is the very heart and mind of God. It is His desire, His purpose, His will. He will do it. It is His warranty or proof, the fact that you have faith [divine persuasion]. All things become possible.
Let’s look at Hebrews 11: 1 again,
“Now [divine persuasion] faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
It seems so much clearer understanding the meaning of the words in the original language it was written in.
Acts 3:16
“By faith [divine persuasion] in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith [divine persuasion] that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.”
It is God’s will that we trust in Jesus, and that through Him we be healed.
One of the most powerful verses is in Acts 17:31 here Pistis I translated “proof”,
“For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof [divine persuasion] of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
This tells us why God will be considered righteous when he judges mankind. He has given proof to everyone.
Ask yourself, what divine persuasions do you know God has shed with you? He has given you faith to believe in His son, has he giving you more?