Supernatural Faith

Today I wanted to look at something the Lord has been impressing in my heart lately and that is the topic of supernatural faith. Faith in general is a huge topic and cannot be fully expressed in all of its nuances in this forum. However, today I wanted to meditate on some Scriptures that deal with supernatural faith in a believer’s life.

In general we know that “salvation” is a gift of God from Ephesians 2:8-9. We also know that this salvation comes by the sheer grace of God through faith. So, having faith and trust in the Savior Jesus Christ is foundational and the life of the believer in Christ begins from this point of faith.

However, as a believer who has faith in God unto salvation we come across some passages in the Bible where it seems to talk about another type of faith within the believer’s life. This faith is not different in essence to saving faith but I would say it is different in mode of operation.

Let’s take a look at the following passage from 1 Corinthians 12:9 –

“…..to another faith by the same Spirit….”

Now the interesting thing about this short passage is the fact that Paul is describing the “charismata” or gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12. It is clear from the context that you need to be a believer first and foremost before any of the gifts of the Spirit can reside in your life. So, the question is why would he list “faith” as a supernatural charismatic gift of the Holy Spirit if “faith” is what initially brings us into the family of God in the first place and is in of itself supernatural in essence?

I believe again that the “gift of faith” described here is different in mode of operation but not different in essence to saving faith. The gifts of the Spirit described in 1 Corinthians 12 is for the edification of the Body of Christ. So, as the Sovereign Spirit gives to each person in different circumstances different gifts it is for the common good of the Body of Christ as a whole.

Even though the Sovereign Spirit gives to each one according to the circumstance and for the good of the whole; Paul is very clear that we as individual believers should pursue the different gifts of the Spirit as the Lord leads us. We should be praying for these gifts to be evident in our lives for the good of the Body. I pray we would not neglect these wonderful gifts from God because they are actually not for ourselves but for others to be built up.

As is the focus today I would encourage you to pray specifically for the “gift of faith” so that God will manifest this in your life by His Holy Spirit so that others may be encouraged in their walk with God. You see I sense that the enemy is running around trying to devour the Body of Christ. In particular I see spiritual battles in my life and in the lives of those around me rising up a notch as of late. The enemy is working overtime because his time is short. Let us be a people of God who operate under the influence and direction of the Holy Spirit. This “gift of faith” is simply a specific act of faith and assurance in God during a trying or difficult circumstance in which God by His Spirit prompts your heart toward Him rather than you going down the road of despair. It is simply the supernatural act of trusting in God knowing the outcome is assured in Him. Take some time to read about the heroes and heroines of the faith in Hebrews chapter 11. Please note the specific details and circumstances facing these people of God who were already called by Him but they had supernatural faith in particular circumstances that they faced in their lives.

One profound thing that spoke to me from this chapter is that these people of faith operated in the understanding that they were foreigners in this Earth. Even though the gift of faith was evident in each of their particular circumstances the Bible says that they did not see the fruit or tangible expression of the promise of God in their earthly lives. Their saving faith as a foundation propelled them into the realm of the supernatural gift of faith as they experienced all of life’s different trials, circumstances, tribulations, etc.

“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.” – Hebrews 11:13

This chapter in Hebrews is interesting because it describes great victories for people operating in supernatural faith but also great hardships and tribulations – all coming from the same faith.

“…and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated

(men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.” – Hebrews 11:36-38

Let me try and tie this together with the supernatural gift of faith in specific life circumstances. You see God is writing a story – “His-story” in your life and my life. We must always remember it is not about us but all about Him. The supernatural gift of faith described earlier from 1 Corinthians 12 as I mentioned is manifested from individual to individual as the Lord gives, but it is primarily for the benefit of the Body as a whole. What I mean is your supernatural faith in a particular circumstance which leads you to worship and adoration unto God results in edification for those who watch you and see you. God is painting a tapestry of faith from person to person so that in the end you and I will finally “get it” we will finally see the full picture and the promise in Jesus Christ will be fully known.

Let me end with a proof of this in the last two verses from Hebrews chapter 11 verses 39 and 40 from the Message:

“Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.”

You see God withholds the final promise in the full disclosure and revelation of Himself even when we are operating in supernatural faith because He is “doing something” – He is writing His Story. Praise His name that we who are His people are part of His Story and our supernatural faith during particular times and specific moments of our lives is added together with the rest of God’s people throughout history which is creating a completed whole. This is precisely why we need each other as the Body of Christ – let us pursue the supernatural gift of faith by the Holy Spirit so that God’s plan and purpose may be accomplished in our lives and in the lives of others!

Blessings,