Having Faith!

Remember from last week, at the time this epistle was written to Timothy to encourage him. Paul was in prison awaiting the sentence of death for preaching the gospel, so he writes to Timothy reminding Timothy that he was constantly in prayer for him. Where did the desire to see Timothy come from in Paul?

• Yes – it can be said it was because of his love for him – which is indicated in – (1 Timothy 1:2)
• Notice – as we read this passage – Paul’s love and longing was due to Timothy’s faith
• A faith that dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice
• A faith that Paul was persuaded dwelt in Timothy also
• A faith Paul describes as genuine (sincere – unfeigned) – (1:5)

Paul’s comment about Timothy’s genuine faith must mean that not all faith is genuine – not all faith is pleasing to the Lord 

1. There Is Little Faith

•     Faith that does not trust in God’s provision – (Matthew 6:25-30)
•     Faith that is filled with fear and doubt – (Matthew 8:23-26) (Matthew 14:22-31)
•     Faith that allows human reasoning to forget God’s power – (Matthew 16:5-8)

2. There Is Dead Faith

•     Faith that fails to produce works – (James 2:14-20)

3. There Is Social Faith

•     Faith that is dependent on one’s environment

•     These remain faithful while under the positive influences of their – home – church – Christian college – but take them out of such an environment – and his/her faith is lost

•     There are some signs of this kind of faith

1. Praying in public – but not in private
2. Studying the Bible when at church – but not in private
3. A lack of personal closeness and dependence on the Lord

4. There Is Blind Faith 

•     Faith that believes in something without evidence
•     As many have said, “You just have to have faith!”
•     Yet God expects us to love Him with our minds as well as our hearts – (Matthew 22:34-37)

So what kind of faith would be considered genuine – the faith that pleases God

1. It is faith that is a strong conviction 

•     Such is the Biblical definition of faith – (Hebrews 11:1)
•     In God and His promises – (Hebrews 11:6)

2. It is faith that believes God raised Jesus from the dead

•     This faith is necessary for our salvation – (Romans 10:9-10)

3. It is faith that is proven by walking in the light – (1 John 1:5-7)
4. It is a faith that keeps His commandments – (1 John 2:3-6)
5. It is faith that abides in all of Christ’s words – (John 8:30-31)
6. It is faith that bears fruit  – (Matthew 7:17-18) (Matthew 13:1-9)
7. It is faith that practices righteousness and loves the brethren – (1 John 3:10)