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FAITH.011
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1992-10-03
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FAITH PRINCIPLES No.11.
THE ATMOSPHERE OF FAITH
1. MUTUAL FAITH
Romans 1:12 shows that there must be a compatibility in the
realm of faith. Paul expected that the faith he had when
joined with the Roman Christian's faith would produce a
beneficial effect for both parties. He calls it mutual faith.
It is clear that there is a great need for unity and
cooperation in faith. When we join our faith with others we
are able to achieve more than we can on our own.
Matt. 18:19 shows that at times it is necessary for there to
be a definite agreement in faith between at least two people,
and when this is done their faith is lifted to new levels of
possibility. The laying on of hands commanded by Jesus (Mark
16:18) is basically an agreement between two people to reach
out for a miracle and blessing. While laying on of hands is
not the only way to reach God, there is often a greater
release or help in it as this mutual faith is expressed.
Mark 2:1-12 records the incident of a palsied man brought to
Jesus by four of his friends. Note that Jesus healed the man
when He saw "their" faith. This was a unity of faith. These
men had made an agreement together and were reaching out for
the same thing. Their faith strengthened by each other's
resolve was rewarded. There was often an identification by
some friend or relative in Bible healings -
eg The Nobleman's son - John 4:46-51
The Syro-phoenician woman's daughter - Mark 7:26 Peter's
mother-in-law - Mark 1:29-31
Jairus' daughter - Luke 8:49-56
The crowds brought the sick to Him - Mark 1:32.
2. THE RIGHT KIND OF FELLOWSHIP IS IMPORTANT
Amos 3:3 shows us that two cannot walk together unless they be
agreed, and we generally accept that in marriage or business
relationships it is essential to be in unity. However, in the
matter of faith this necessity is often disregarded. The fact
remains though that unbelieving company will foster that in
us. If you fellowship with unbelief the dust of unbelief will
rub off on you. If you want to be a winner, you must avoid
the company of losers for their despair is contagious.
Most of the world around us tends to be a negative
environment. It is easier to knock ideas or criticise
someone's effort to achieve greatness. These attitudes of
scepticism will become our natural state if we are not
selective of our company.
a) We grow like the company we keep. An outstanding example
of the power of negative values to reduce our faith
potential is seen in the experience of an eleven year old
boy who's medical problem had been incorrectly diagnosed.
He had been placed in a home for sub-normal children as
a small child and had grown up showing all the symptoms
of that condition. He was spastic and sub-normal in
behaviour. During a tour of an electronic factory he was
separated from the main party of sub-normal children. He
2 a) cont.
was found sitting at a workman's bench which had been
vacated for the morning tea break. He had completely
assembled a transistor radio from the diagrams on the
bench. Further tests were taken of him and it was
discovered that far from being sub-normal, he had genius
level intelligence with an I.Q. above 160. His only
physical disability was that he was deaf! He had simply
copied the attitudes and actions of those around him,
considering this to be normal.
b) David's Lofchicks of Manitoba, Canada is another example
of this necessity to maintain the right company. He was
born with cerebral palsy and given no hope of a normal
life by 27 doctors. Finally Dr. Pearlstien of Chicago
told his parents there was a chance for him if they would
arrange constant physiotherapy for him, and he also said,
"Never let him mix with people with his problem or he
will treat that as normal. Surround him with normal,
healthy, well adjusted people".
Eventually this young many triumphed over his disability
and was selected as Mr. Manitoba at 21 years of age.
Negative company will destroy not only your faith vision, but
your faith ability. Choose carefully those whom you follow.
Beaten paths are made by beaten men, but faith refuses to live
among the dead!
Heb. 13:7 advises us to follow men of faith, considering the
end or results of their conversation.
Successful, positive and faith expressing people will enhance
and increase our own faith potential. Their example and
attitudes has the ability to make us reach out for more in
God.
Faith is a faculty that needs to be constantly kept inspired
and a right atmosphere is essential to this. The world we
live in is so filled with negative and unbelieving attitudes
that for this reason alone good faith inspiring friends or
teachers need to be cultivated so that our minds are washed
from destructive attitudes and our spirits are refreshed to be
able to respond to God in faith.