Your Faith Will Make You Whole

We have discussed that faith is fundamental in becoming complete in Christ Jesus. Faith is "the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not yet seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony" (Hebrews 11:1,2). Clearly, faith (a revelation to us of God: who He is; how He expects His children to live; what His plan is in each of our lives, individually) precedes the manifestation of all those things in Christ Jesus. The revelation focuses and empowers us to press on in Him. 

"Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better but rather grew worse. WHEN SHE HEARD ABOUT JESUS she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, 'if only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.' Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction ." (Mark 5:25-29) Why would she have thought that her touching Jesus' clothing would produce such a result? It is my impression that she received an understanding from God regarding Jesus Christ that focused and directed her steps regarding her affliction. She acted on the understanding first by saying what had been revealed to her ("with the mouth confession is made unto salvation"  Romans 10:10) and then by taking the steps directed- literally touching His clothing.

The good news is that faith is the seed of all things included in salvation in Christ Jesus. Any seed contains the directions for how it will be manifested. Salvation in Christ Jesus desires to touch our spirit, our soul, our physical body, our vocation or call, a good land or our sustenance. It is all-encompassing. The faith that you have been given: whether by a measure or increased/greater in its depth, holds the keys to your victory over sin/sickness/self-service/defeat. The scripture says that Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of faith.

Call out to Him from the depth of your soul, from the depths of who you know yourself to be, and He will answer. He will remind you of the things He has revealed to you that you have yet to act upon and reveal to you those things that build upon the former. Each revelation serves to focus/direct your path to completion in Him so you can walk just as He walked - not apart from Him but with Him because you are in Him!

Tongues: For Personal and Private Use

The topic of spiritual language is devisive amongst christians. The reason: Satan likes it that way. He knows if he can keep the christian away from the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he can keep them from becoming "witnesses to Jesus Christ"(Acts 1:8) in our sphere of influence. The examples of the Holy Spirit coming upon people always resulted in the spiritual language of tongues coming forth from those people experiencing that power.

My family and christian friends know that I agree with the biblical teaching on this subject. They know I strongly advocate for every christian to seek after spiritual gifts yet they have rarely, if ever, heard me as I pray in tongues because it is not important that they hear me. In my personal christian life, I speak in tongues other than my native language of english because "he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries"(I Cor. 14:2) and "but you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit"(Jude v.20). Reference back to v.19 regarding sensual persons, causing division, because they do not have the Spirit. Having and praying in the Spirit empowers us to be Spirit-led as opposed to being sense-led. It is my opinion that  these references speak of tongues for personal use. I am edifying myself in Christ as I speak in tongues. A strength arises in in my spirit for my soul as I pray/speak in tongues.

I Corinthians, chapter 14, discusses tongues for public edification. As you read this chapter, you will see there is place for this manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the church service as well. Here, tongues are vocal and are to be heard by others, serving as a sign to unbelievers. 

I Corinthians 12:29-31 reads,"Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? " I have prayed/spoken in tongues personally and almost daily for 18 years yet vocally in church only on 3-4 occasions over that same period. Earnestly desiring the best gifts (those that profit others as well as you) will put you in a position to be ready when He calls upon you.

Remember, we struggle not with flesh and blood, but principalities, with powers, with rulers of darkness of the age, with spiritual hosts of wickedness in high places. This is a point of contention in particular christian circles because Satan wants to steal the empowerment Jesus means for us to have. He wants to remove the spiritual which draws people to God's goodness and make church a lecture series. This is a living gospel, we need all the tools God means for us to have!