Martin Schmaltz

Doing Faith

Posted on 09. Jun, 2009 by Martin Schmaltz in Kingdom Lifestyle, Kingdom Notes eZine

Apostolic Notes Vol 3 No 6

How have you demonstrated faith today? Maybe you demonstrated it this way: Did you get up and turn on the lights? What does this have to do with faith, you ask? While not spiritual, it is a form of faith. Do you personally understand how electricity works? Do you really understand how it is generated and then transferred to your light bulb? Probably not. Yet you flipped the switch. You had faith that the bill was paid and that the electricity would be available. You demonstrated this faith by your actions – you turned on the switch.

Now I know this is somewhat of a silly example, yet it reveals the principles of true faith. You acted on what you believed, even if you do not have the in-depth understanding of it. It was this “action of faith” that allowed the electricity to reveal itself thru the illumination of the light bulb.

In the demonstration of spiritual or apostolic authority in our lives, it requires faith. The fourth key component of being sent or apostello is that obedience or demonstration is the proof that we are sent (see “What Is Apostolic” for further clarification). The challenge to this is it requires faith.

Faith is not talking about what I believe; it is about my actions, which demonstrate what I believe. If I step out and demonstrate what I have been gifted or sent to do, it is proof that I believe I have been sent or commissioned. James addresses this issue of faith being demonstrated by our actions or works: “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.“ (James 2:19 NKJV) What proves we have faith? It is our actions.

James gives us further clarification in discussing Abraham’s faith:
“How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his actions, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. Can’t you see? His faith and his actions worked together; his faith was made perfect through his actions. And the scripture came true that said, “Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.” And so Abraham was called God’s friend.” (James 2:21-24 TEV)

Abraham’s faith was made “perfect” or according to Thayer’s it was made complete by adding what was lacking, “through his actions.“ It was when Abraham acted out his faith; God demonstrated His character of Jehovah-Jireh and Abraham became known as the friend of God.

Throughout scripture we see that it was the individuals actions that demonstrated their faith AND created the avenue for God to reveal His miraculous power.

• The ten lepers were told to go show themselves to the priest. It was as they went, they were cleansed. (Lk 17:14)
• It was when Peter’s foot touched the water, that he then walked on it (Mt 14:29)
• When Jesus fed the multitudes, it was not his breaking of the bread that manifested the miraculous, it was when the disciples broke and gave it, that the bread kept multiplying.
• It was when Peter pulled the lame man up that his feet and ankles were strengthened and were healed. (Acts 3:7)

It is our actions that prove we have faith that we are gifted or sent and these actions provide the channel for God’s power to manifest itself. How are you “doing” your faith today?

Tags: apostolic, authority, demonstration, faith, God, manifestation, send, sent