Genuine Faith

We should be on a journey of ever growing faith (2Thessalonians 1:3). The Bible promises if we SEEK God we will FIND Him. (1) First, we discover Him as the almighty CREATOR of the universe and of us. We are created by a Personal God, the FATHER, who wants us to know Him. (2) Then, we discover He has revealed Himself in His Word, and ultimately in His SON, Jesus Christ, and we come to know Him as our SAVIOUR. (3) Then, His SPIRIT comes to indwell us and He works in our life as our SANCTIFIER, transforming us from glory to glory. Likewise, there are 3 LEVELS of FAITH: (1) GENERAL FAITH in God - His existence and character, His power and goodness, which is the basis for HOPE (Hebrews 11:6). (2) SPECIFIC FAITH that comes to God (on the basis of general faith) and receives His promises (TRUST), for example Hebrews 11:11, Mark 11:24, Hebrews 4:16. But (3) the highest level of faith is trusting God, even in times of testing, when all seems lost. This is the expression of faith manifested in the loyalty of LOVE. We see this kind of faith exemplified by Abraham offering up Isaac, when he passed the ultimate test of faith, when he proved his love for God (Genesis 22, Hebrews 11:17-19). This Level 3 Faith was also exemplified by Habakkuk (3:17,18), and by Job in the midst of his trials (James 5:11). These 3 LEVELS of Faith are illustrated in Daniel 3:16-18: (1) general faith in the character of God ("our God is able to deliver us"), (2) specific faith in the promise of God ("He will deliver us from your hand, O king"), and (3) trusting God and staying loyal to Him, even if it means suffering loss ("even if He does not deliver us, we will not bow down to any other god").