A Word of Faith
A Devotion
The Goodsoil Discipleship Ministry
By Bro. Andy Madonio
January 13, 2001
But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe, therefore we also speak.
2 Corinthians 4:13 (Ref. Psalm 116:10).
There is a perfect and divine order here that is critical to a healthy understanding of faith. The Psalmist clearly stated that he believed -- that is he had faith in God. Belief and faith are synonymous here. He said, in essence, "Since I have this faith, this powerful, supernatural belief in God, I am right to speak of what I know is true -- even if it is not visibly apparent yet." Do you see the truth? The Psalmist could speak a true word of faith, because he first had the proof of faith, whatever that was for him. Please note carefully that he did not say, "If I speak, then faith will follow." No, he knew he couldn't produce faith by virtue of the repetition of his own words. Neither did he try to gin up faith on the strength of emotional force and bluster. Oh no, not our Psalmist! He understood that his faith came only through his relationship and knowledge of his Creator and Savior.
The context of 2 Corinthians 4 clearly tells us that it was when Paul had completely given over to the inevitability of his own frailness and death, he understood what belief and trust and faith really meant. "We are afflicted in every way," "for we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake . . . so death works in us." He had arrived at a point where nothing else was left to depend on except Jesus. This dependence engenders a closeness and intimacy borne of the realization of just who Jesus really is. When One alone stands between you and death, you most certainly trust that One with everything. The Apostle, as well as the Psalmist before him, was supremely confident in the midst of helplessness -- confident that he could stand with Jesus when the day was done.
Faith is a result of our relationship with the Lord. When that relationship is strong, then our faith is real. We don't strengthen our faith; we strengthen our relationship with God. Abraham "grew strong in faith," -- why? It was because he was "fully assured" by God's promise to him. His faith, like Paul's, grew out of an intimate relationship with God, and later, he could speak of that faith. Trust Jesus in your death, and you will grow close to Him in your life; then watch your faith grow strong.
