HOW TO MEASURE YOUR FAITH
We are all familiar with Hebrews 11:1-6 which both defines faith and then tells us that we cannot please God without faith. I don’t think it would be a stretch to conclude from this that the more faith someone has, the more they would please God.
STARTER FAITH
God gives every man a “measure” of faith.” This doesn’t state the amount of faith involved, but I would think, judging from the character of the Lord, that every man gets the same amount of faith at the beginning. This might be thought of as starter faith and from then on it is up to you what you do with it.
Rom_12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Since man is made in the image of God then it would be safe to say that no animal has, nor can exercise faith. It is unique in the creation of man.
KILL IT…KILL IT…KILL IT QUICK
Satan’s job then would be to kill, weaken, cover, distort, or distract that faith as quickly as possible. Sometimes, a certain culture can accomplish all these motives of Satan through their various well-established systems that are nearly unchallengeable. For instance, a child that is born into a strong Muslim community can be bombarded with that false religion to the point where their measure of faith, which was designed to be directed to reveal their Creator, (Romans 1, Ps.19) is nearly drowned or choked to the point of unconsciousness. Or, a person born into a wealthy, well educated, ungodly, family whose existence and operation does not even recognize the Lord, these children still have their measure of faith and have the possibility to seek and find the Lord, as did Cornelius in Acts 10, but this very rarely happens.
MEASURING YOUR FAITH
Jesus rebuked the disciples for having little faith. The Bible asks the question, “Where is your faith,” and then speaks of great faith, and even mentions mountain moving faith in 1Cor. 13. Peter told us to grow in grace which, of necessity includes our measure of faith. The problem is never that someone has too much faith so the supply must be limitless. The problem we all have is to find out how much faith we truly have and then apply Romans 10:17 and grow.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So, faith is ALWAYS connected to the Word of God which is the sole source of faith. It would seem then, that whatever faith anyone has is directly connected to their time, study, and belief in the Word of God.
But, how much faith do I need…where am I now…and what do I need for my ministry in the future. In relation to this we might ask ourselves, how much faith do I want, or how much faith would I use if I had it?
SELF TEST
Assuming you have used your measure of faith to bring you to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, then I challenge you to measure your faith. The Word of God HAS TO BE PERFECT or else it is not God’s Word. So, open your Bible anywhere and begin reading. At some time, nearly all Christians will eventually come to a verse or story which they simply cannot believe as it is written. At this point they will desperately seek help. Some may substitute their education to help the Lord out. Science will be consulted because it just can’t be only six 24 hour periods in which God used to create everything. That is just too unscientific. It simply can’t be the way the Bible states that the sun stood still or that the sun rose or set. “God probably meant that from the angle of what it appeared.” Or, they will consult a commentary written by someone who also doesn’t have faith enough to believe that story so they can help them in their sincere, but tragic, explanation. Or, some will simply seek out another version that “makes sense” and maybe even retranslate the unbelievable, at least in their mind, to help the Lord out. “No one who is educated or understands science like I believe would take that story literally.” That, then, is the measure of your faith. Don’t ask God to show you anything more because you have not believed what He has already shown you. Take your thumb and place it on the cover of your Bible and then place your forefinger on the page where you quit believing. Hold your thumb and forefinger up and that is the measure of your faith.
DISOBEDIENCE
If you get past that test and you believe the whole Bible then take a further test. Do the same until you come to a verse you are uncomfortable to obey such as, Acts 1:8, Malachi 3, Mark 16:15, Ezekiel 2 or 1John 2:15-17. When you reach that place you have reached the measure of your faith. Don’t bother asking the Holy Spirit to show you the right way to go…or reveal to you the Lord’s will because He has already shown you and you have disobeyed.
FEAR
Let’s try the test one more time. Read your King James Bible to the first verse that you would be reluctant, or, just down right scared to try to obey. These might be Psalm 37:5 or Proverbs 3:5,6, or Ps. 139:2,3 or even 1Jn. 1:9 or 2Sam. 12:13. You have reached the end of your faith. Are you content with this measurement? Better ask the Lord if He is pleased with this measurement.
Remember when you were aged 11 and you leaned against a wall and mom made a light pencil mark and then measured it. Remember how you and mom were so pleased when it was discovered that you had grown since the last time you measured. Why not make the Lord pleased with your growth in faith at some time in the near future.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.