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FAITH.003
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FAITH PRINCIPLES No.3.
THE PLACE OF THE RHEMA
The Bible declares that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the
Word of God" (ROM. 10:17). This verse has confused some who have
thought that the genesis of faith in us is from learning Bible
facts or quotations when it is really describing how unbelievers
are born again. It shows us again that faith is a gift from God
and that unregenerate people receive the impartation of divine
faith when they hear the word and receive Christ.
It is clear that not all of those who are well versed in the
scriptures are "faith people". Some of the most negative and
unbelieving Christians are Bible experts. In fact, some
unregenerate people have a mental understanding of the Bible but
are not saved and have no spiritual faith.
Rom. 10:17 shows us the facet of revelation through the intuitive
part of our spirit which triggers or starts the response of faith
in us.
1. RHEMA AND LOGOS
In the original Greek of the New Testament there are two
different words which are normally translated "word". One is
"logos", the other is "rhema". At times the two words are
used interchangeably. Yet each has a distinct special signif-
icance of its own.
The full meaning of "logos" extends beyond a word that is
spoken or written. It denotes those functions which are the
expression of a mind. The authoritative Greek lexicon of
Liddell and Scott defines "logos" as "the power of the mind
which is manifested in speech, reason".
In this sense ""logos" is the unchanging,_self-existent "Word
of God". It is God's counsel, settled in eternity before time
began, due to continue on into eternity long after time has
run its course. It is of this divine "logos" that David is
speaking in Psalm 119:89,when he says, "Forever O Lard., Thy
word is settled in heaven". Nothing that happens on earth can
ever affect or change this word that is eternal in heaven.
On the other hand "rhema" is derived from a verb meaning "to
speak". and denotes specifically "a word that is spoken" -
something that occurs in time and space.
In Rom. 10:17, when Paul says that "faith cometh by hearing
and hearing by the WORD of God", he uses the word "rhema", not
"logos". This agrees with the fact that he couples "word"
with "hearing". Logically, in order to be heard, a word must
be spoken.
The Holy Spirit takes the very words that meet our needs at
that moment and imparts His life to them. They become "rhema"
- something we can "hear". like a living voice, God Himself
speaking to our spirit personally and directly. As we hear
His word, faith is released in our hearts.
This agrees with Paul's statement in 2 Cor. 3:6, "the letter
kills,_but the Spirit gives life". Apart from the Holy
Spirit, there can be no "rhema". In the Bible, the "logos" -
the total counsel of God - is made available to me.
But "logos" is too vast and too complex for me to comprehend
or assimilate in its totality. "Rhema" is the way that the
Holy Spirit brings a portion of "logos" down out of eternity
and relates it to time and human experience.
"Rhema"is that portion of the total "Logos" that applies at a
certain point in time to my particular situation. Through
"rhema", "logos" is applied to my life and thus becomes
specific and personal in my experience.
In this transaction between God and man by which faith comes,
the initiative is with God. This leaves no room for arrogance
or presumption on our part. Indeed, in Romans 3:27 Paul tells
us that boasting is excluded by the law of faith. It is God
who knows - better than we do - just that part of the total
"logos" which will meet our need at any given time.
By His Holy Spirit He directs us to the very words that are
appropriate and then imparts life to them, so that they become
a "rhema" - a living voice. At this point the response
required from us is "hearing". To the extend that we "hear",
our faith is released.
Eph. 6:17 says ''to take the sword o
of God - . W.E. Vine commenting on this says, :here the
reference is not to the
whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the
Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a
prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with
scripture".
Matthew : 4:4, in the literal translation, says "Man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word ("rhema") which is
continually proceeding out of the mouth of God". This tells
us that the "revelation" rock on which Jesus has -built His
Church is still current. God is still inspiring His people
with faith ideas. Matt. 16:17-18.
2. TWO KINDS OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE FACULTY OF INTUITION
There is-knowledge_which is gained through the five senses of
sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. Even our Bible
knowledge can be at this level - that of learning, logic,
indoctrination.
However, there is another kind of knowledge - Revelation
knowledge, by which
God will impart direct to the human spirit, through
our__faculty of intuition, things which He knows or wishes to
teach us or alert us to. The "rhema" is in this category.. It
is a special emphasis or guidance from God. while we are.
required to live by the "logos"_as far as the general
principles of our life ' are concerned, in_special cases God
will give us some explicit instruction or word. This word
will release faith, and this is what Rom. 10:17 refers to.
3. THE-POWER OF RHEMA
a) The specific word from God has inherent power to bring things
to pass as when God said, "let there be light", and there was
light. Gen. 1:3.
Luke 1:37 (RSV) - "For no word ("rhema") shall be void of
power.
b) The "Rhema" is powerful because besides being the energiser of
faith, it is the source of Spirit and life. John 6:63--"The
words ("rhema") I speak. unto you, they are Spirit and life".
It is the sword of the Spirit - Eph. 6:17.
c) The result of the "rhema" is seen from John 15:7 - "If you
abide in_me (fellowship) and my wards ("rhema") abide in you,
you will ask what you will and it shall be done'' . This verse
contains one of the important aspects of faith living. Our
desires or ideas must be generated by God. We do not
presumptuously decide ourselves what God is going to do for us
but seek God until we know His way, until His "Rhema" is in
our heart and His faith is released. Matt. 16:19 &
18:18_clarify this point for us.
The Williams and Amplified version are among the most accurate
translations at this point. "... whatever you forbid on earth
must be what is --already forbidden in heaven, and whatever
you permit on earth must be what is already permitted in
heaven" (Williams, Matt. 16:1 9 ). That is, the Church, in the
new order, must act in accordance with the will of heaven
(God). They both reveal the force of the participle perfect
passive (de-de-ME-non, must be already hound or loosed). This
means that we can only speak and see accomplished on earth
what God has already foreseen and predetermined. Only the man
who consistently walks sensitively with heaven, and can hear
the word (Rhema) of the Spirit; then chocks it out with the
principles of the Bible - only this man will see God confirm
HIS word with signs following. God is under no obligation to
answer our prayers on earth that are not in harmony with His
predetermined heavenly plans. We can speak and loose on earth
what He has already planned in heaven to be loosed; and we can
speak and bind on earth what is already consistent with His
predetermined heavenly plan.
A classic Bible example of this is found by comparing James
5:17 and 1 Kings 17:1. Elijah knew from the Word of God
("logos"), Deut. 11:17, that God has warned that drought would
result from Israel's apostasy. He prayed earnestly until this
word became alive in him and he knew that God had already
bound the rain in heaven. He then went to and bound it on
earth. In the Septuagint version of the old Testament, 1
Kings 17:1 uses "rhema" for word.
4. THE RHEMA COMES OUT OF THE LOGOS
a) In order to be able to receive constant revelation or the
word of faith from God, we must fill our spirit with the
whole Bible - the "logos". No "rhema" will ever
contradict it or be at cross purposes with it, and while
the "rhema" (or people claiming to have a "rhema") is
fallible, the "logos" is infallible.
Note the temptation of Jesus - Matt. 4:7 and Luke 4:12.
One states, "It is written", and the other, "It is said".
The "rhema" is a spoken word. Jesus so imbibed the Old
Testament scriptures that He was able to say to Satan,
"there is no difference between me and the word of God.
When I say it, it is the same as when it was originally
given. I am no longer repeating a quotation - this is
part of my life". Note Rev. 10:8 and Heb. 4:2. The word
of faith has to be in our heart and mouth and there is no
profit in the "logos" unless it is mixed with faith in
those that hear it.
b) While the -rhema" comes out of the "logos", it is
entirely at God's initiative and cannot be generated by
man. We must respond to it, but do not create it. Some
people have foolishly sought guidance by using their
Bible as a talisman - seeking verses to back up or
justify a situation or have rebelliously refused to live
according to the "logos" while seeking a "rhema" to
support their unscriptural living.