Faith: The Force, the Fire, and the Footsteps of God

By Wendell Wyman Bonner Ph.D

For the believer who is serious about living in the fulness of God’s glory, and experiencing walking in the footsteps of God, this book may help you tremendously in seeing that glory manifested in you and around you. Are you yearning to tap into the profound power of God inside of you? Are you desperate in desiring to completely live inside of a peace that passes all understanding? If so, this book may be God’s message to you in how to relax and melt into it.

You will learn in this book that faith is a lifestyle, and not just a vehicle for miracles to occur in your life. Faith is a lifestyle of rest and reliance on God to do everything He has promised for His children. Faith is not something that you work at having, it is a gift that you just relax and let “do its thing”. However, you may not have been taught to just relax and “let God”. If not, this will help you gain intellectual insight to facilitate spiritual release to walk in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Faith empowers you, but what does that look like? Faith emboldens you, but how will you know it? Faith relaxes you, but how do you rest in it? Faith molds you, but who and what are you becoming? This book will help you with scriptural answers to these questions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781664277816

Wendell Wyman Bonner Ph.D

Dr. Wendell Bonner serves as the Elder and Pastor of The Ministry of Jesus Christ at First Baptist Church of Webster Groves, The House of Living Stone in Webster Groves, Missouri. He feels honored to have served in this capacity since 1994. Elder Bonner received his Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from The University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana where he also met his spouse of over 30 years, Dr. Lizette Smith-Bonner. He has 3 daughters: Jessica, Jaedyn and Gianna. Pastor Bonner is the author of many spiritual education publications issued from The House of Living Stones Publications at the First Baptist Church of Webster Groves. He is also the author of a series of age-specific, culturally framed spiritual education curriculae for children, teens and adults; available through the House of Living Stone Publishing House at First Baptist Church of Webster Groves. Elder Bonner’s publication materials are used nationally and internationally. In addition to the preaching ministry, Dr. Bonner’s has demonstrated long-standing musical talent, skill and appreciation. A native of Monroe, Louisiana, Elder Bonner began his early music education under the tutelage of his mother, Barbara Bonner, a significant figure in the region for instrumental, vocal, and choral teaching and training. Pastor Bonner is a talented vocalist, and has written over 200 gospel songs.

Book preview

Contents

Introduction

UNIT I: THE LIFESTYLE

Chapter 1.     Faith a lifestyle.

Chapter 2.     Faith and the life we live.

Chapter 3.     Faith is a spiritual power.

Chapter 4.     Faith begins with revelation.

Chapter 5.     Faith can encompass a number of things.

Chapter 6.     The beautiful gate of faith.

UNIT II: THE PRACTICE

Chapter 7.     Faith is not as hard as it Seems.

Chapter 8.     Acknowledging God.

Chapter 9.     Believing God.

Chapter 10.   Committing to who and what you relieve.

Chapter 11.   Depending on God.

Chapter 12.   Expecting from God.

UNIT III: THE POWER

Chapter 13.   The empowering revelation of faith.

Chapter 14.   Will God help my unbelief?

Chapter 15.   Obstacles that can test your faith.

Chapter 16.   The connection between faith and trust.

Chapter 17.   Walking in the footsteps of God.

Dedication Page

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. I John 3:22,23

This work is dedicated to every born-again believer in Jesus Christ who aspires to live a life pleasing in the sight of the Lord. We pray that this work will both educate and inspire.

This is a production of the Word of God from Jesus Christ,

with the authority of God the Father, through the agency

of the Holy Spirit, by the vessel; Wendell W. Bonner, Ph.D.

This has been a House of Living Stone publication.

The Force, The Fire, and

The Footsteps of God

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Jesus saith unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:22,23,24

Faith

A Brief Introduction.

Welcome my brothers and sisters in Christ to yet another offering of the Holy Spirit to help guide us in the knowledge and truth of Jesus Christ ; as was promised by our Lord.

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come." John 16:13

God is leading us yet again into an avenue of understanding and revelation in learning about Him and the wonderful riches He’s given us in Jesus. As Paul once prayed for the church at Ephesus, we now receive the same riches of that prayer.

Wherefore I also-Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: Ephesians 1:15a,16,17

So we’ve been brought yet again to the Table of Truth to learn from the Lord more on how to live in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Today’s message is about Faith: and how simple it really is. Now although Faith takes work, and although it takes the continued efforts of a renewed mind in Christ to walk in its precepts correctly, it is a lot simpler than many of us may think. Faith is a spiritual law; and, if you will, a spiritual hook or hand that can bring the things of the unseen world into the seen world. This is why the Hebrew writer penned the following:

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:3

Faith is the vehicle for us to walk in the unseen realm and find the unseen world materializing in the seen world. Faith is our way of walking in God’s World in God’s ways: knowing that these ways, methods, and products are eternal. The world that we see is only temporary, which is why it is ever changing. The world of the unseen is the world of eternal realities. These realities are more permanent and more powerful than the temporary realities of this visual world.

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal [temporary]; but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:18

This is why Faith is based solely on the Word of God; and this is why Faith will always conquer any seen reality in this world. Faith is the way we access the ultimate, eternal reality of our God; and the connection we have to that reality is the Spirit of God and the Word of God. The Spirit of God makes that reality part of our being [which gives us eternal life], and the Word of God reveals to us what that reality consists of.

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth forever. I Peter 1:24,25a

This Word gives us access to and insight into the eternal world of God which cannot be shaken or removed. It is the world into which we have been placed when we accepted Jesus into our hearts.

And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Hebrews 12:27

This makes what we believe and receive through faith enduring and everlasting. Faith is the set of eyes God has given us into the world into which we’ve been translated and the inheritance we’ve received.

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Colossians 1:13

Faith is how God operates, and it is the way we must learn to operate. This short publication is intended to help you on the road to understanding and building a powerful Faith-walk in the Lord. The next step for you in growing in Faith is this manual. Take this manual and read it carefully. Let God speak to you throughout its contents. It is God- breathed and God-directed. Let God take you deeper into the treasures of His truth and simplify His Word to you. Just rest, relax, read, and let God show you how Faith is as easy as A, B, C, D, and E. The first question we need to ask is this: What, exactly, is Faith? Let’s look at the words The Holy Spirit penned through James in James chapter 2. It reads:

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, 0 vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise, also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:14-26

Introduction

Welcome beloved of the Lord; to yet another word of encouragement and exhortation. We have prayed for and hope that this Word will bring light to your souls and teeth to your faith. We hope that it will bring you a spark of endurance as you continue to be God’s vessel in this world of darkness. We look forward to you gaining confidence in God after each scripture, each page and after each reading. We expect this Word to reach the deepest levels of your being, and to bring hope where little hope may have resided. We are excited about the power this Word will ignite in your spirits, and the fire it will ignite in your soul. We look for God to do wonderful, great, and mighty things in you and to you and through you.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us, " Ephesians 3:20

Oh, glory Hallelujah! We anticipate God elevating you to new levels of faith and glory. We know that the Word will enrich you spiritual soil and allow God to cultivate His harvest of righteousness in you as He has promised to do through Jesus Christ..Hallelujah!

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tiding unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." Isaiah 61:1-3

God is going to do it! God is going to do it! God is going to do it; and He’s going to do it in you. I know He will. Don’t you know that He will? I know He will! Why do I know?

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6

That is why we come to you as commanded by our Lord, to give you added word of encouragement as you walk in and out of life’s storms, trials and unexpected difficulties. Be assured my beloved, that God is still at work.

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" 2 Corinthians 4:1.7

Keep the faith! Keep your trust! Hang on! Hang in! Every God-allowed affliction is here for a reason. What is that reason? The Holy Spirit explained it this way.

"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Hebrews 12:6-11

Now the Holy Spirit was only reiterating what Jesus told His apostles when He said:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit John 15:1,2

Knowing what the purpose of our trials are, we know that we must endure to the end to receive the end of our salvation. Trials are God’s methods for building up endurance in His children. The Holy Spirit tells us this in the following passages:

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Romans 5:3

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12

Look at the purpose in the Word, not the problem in your eye! You can make it! You will make it! You must make it! All you must do is endure. All you must do is to wait on the Lord and be of good courage.

Wait on the Lord: of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine h : wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Unit I

The Lifestyle

The just shall live by faith.

Chapter 1

Faith a lifestyle.

The foundation for our conversation.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:1-3

Why don’t we begin this chapter with a question. That question is: What exactly is Faith In The Life Of The Believer? We submit to you that Faith is much more than the power of the Word of God to bring life to our desires. Faith is more than the power behind prayer. Faith is much more than the power of our expectations and our beliefs.

What Then Is It? We submit to you that Faith is an acceptance of or belief in the revelation of Jesus Christ as God in the flesh, and for the believer, a lifestyle reflective of this belief. Again: Faith Is An Acceptance Of Or Belief In The Revelation Of Jesus Christ As God In The Flesh, And, For The Believer, (Actions Constituting) A Lifestyle Reflective Of This Belief.

God’s Word On The Lifestyle Of Faith.

As we study the following passages of scripture, we will find that Faith is a lifestyle of trust, obedience, hope and complete confidence in God. Belief and lifestyle also constitute the definition of Faith we find in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 1. Read this scripture and see how the above points reflect this description of Faith.

Given this information, we may safely conclude, then, that Faith is a lifestyle of trust, obedience, hope and complete confidence in God. This is what we are given through the word of Habbakuk who wrote:

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habbakuk 2:4

We are also given this word in Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth when He wrote the following regarding how we live:

"Therefore, we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight)" 11 Corinthians 5:6,7

This scripture does not refer to how we take physical steps walking down the street, but how we choose to approach and live our lives. It suggests that we perceive life and live life by or operating on the principles of faith. This informs us that Faith must be more than just the ability to believe in something. It appears to encompass much more; and includes an attitude, a perspective and a method of living which includes all of life. Paul aptly described how this perspective guides the all of his being when he said:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not 1, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and. gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Paul tells us here that he lives by, is grounded in, is guided by, and is focused on Faith as the substance of his life. Now to say that he lives by faith, in this context, is a very comprehensive and all -inclusive statement to make. He basically says, if I may paraphrase; "If you want to know how I make decisions, how I live, how I face my fears, and how I deal with all of the circumstances in my life, the answer is simple: I do it by the faith of the Son of God." This informs us know that faith is more than just a belief for a miracle or a confidence necessary for receiving healing. It also suggests an abiding focus and confidence in God regarding all aspects of his life.

Paul goes on to make a broad generalization about life and how we do anything in life which relates to Faith. Paul tells us through his letter to the Romans that whatever we do [and we generalize it to mean anything we do in life] is a sin if it is not done in faith.

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth . And he that d.oubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith : for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:22,23

This again implies to us that Faith goes beyond a belief for a miracle or a need. It encompasses all that we do. In other words, there must be an awareness of and an abiding obedience to Christ. Now when we look at this verse, let’s also take into consideration what the Hebrew writer (who some believe to be Timothy) said about faith which also leads us to believe that it should be given a more general application than that accompanying a prayer and/or a petition.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Based on this scripture, we learn that we must seek to please God in all that we do and say. Faith, then, can also be seen as a lifestyle of seeking God, believing the reality of God, and expecting to be blessed by Him because you seek Him. Now notice that this verse did not say; He that co meth to God must diligently seek what God can do for him. Instead, it said that we must diligently seek Him. Seeking God is a lifelong exercise yielding a lifelong experience; and it signifies the most important aspect of our salvation: Establishing a relationship with God. This is the most important aspect of our life in Christ, and it is the very reason Jesus came to die on the cross for our sins. He came to erase anything that would prevent the relationship between God and us from being established.

Faith is about relationship.

Relationship is the most important thing to God; and that is why He told us through Isaiah:

Thus, saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23,24

Therefore, we can safely see that Faith is more about our relationship with God than it is what we believe we will receive from God. While belief is a part of faith, relationship is its focus. God told us prophetically that this is the purpose for which we would be brought into the Kingdom of Christ when He said:

And I will give them. an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. Jeremiah 24:7

Now when we see this scripture in which God is signifying the importance of the relationship, guess what themes we also find when we see the Covenant that we have with God through Christ? Do you know what Christ actually died to effect? You got it - Relationship.

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and, every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest . For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 8:1.0-12

What are we seeing here, friend ? The fact that Jesus Christ died to bring us back into a relationship with God. Relationship is what faith is all about. We believe in God when we come to Him, but our job is to grow in Him and in that belief. Yet our growth is under the watchful eyes of a loving God who has brought us back into His family. Therefore, we were told to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. II Peter 3:18

Peter tells us here to grow in Grace. What is grace? It is God’s favor bestowed upon mankind. We are instructed to grow now that we are in God’s favor and are filled with His Spirit. Now we will grow if we continue to walk in that belief. If we believe that Jesus is Lord, we will obey Him. If we believe that God loves us, we will have all confidence in Him. Faith is not about what we can receive, but WHO we’ve received (or better yet, who has received us). We must grow now that we are in God’s favor; and we can only do that if we continue to hold on to the belief that we received when we came to Jesus.

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; Hebrews 3:14

Faith is a lifelong commitment.

We must hold our confidence in Christ from the beginning of our life in Christ until we leave this life. This tells us that Faith is a lifelong commitment. This, then, is the walk of faith: It is a lifetime of confidence, hope, obedience, and trust in God. Therefore, we submit to you in this piece that Faith is not a one-shot operation of believing God as some would believe. It is a lifestyle of abiding in God, trusting in God and believing in God.

We can also surmise this from God’s comments on why the children of Israel did not enter the promised land.

Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well. as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard. For we which have believed do enter into rest, Hebrews 4:1.3a

Why was the gospel not mixed with faith in them? Because they did not live in obedience to God. They believed in God, but not enough to live for Him. They talked the talk, but they did not walk the walk. And their unbelief was demonstrated by how they lived. Because their lives did not reflect their belief, they never made it into the rest that God had planned for them. But what is this Rest that they did not enter into because they didn’t have faith?

For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:10,11

The Children of Israel blew it because they did not live their lives trusting in the Lord. Understand, then, that Faith is more than jut believing in God. Faith produces actions that should reflect your belief in God. Therefore, we say that Faith is a lifestyle. Remember that James said:

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26

Now you may be wondering: But I thought it was all about Believing in God, preacher? It is. But what is the connection between lifestyle and believing in God, then? I’m glad you asked. The connection is this: If you believe in Christ, you will have confidence in Him. If you believe in Him, you will hope in Him continually. If you believe, you’ll trust Him. If you believe, you will obey Him. Faith is maintaining this lifestyle of confidence in and obedience to God for the rest of your life. This confidence should be reflected in the life that you live. Hence, Faith is a lifestyle of obedience, hope, confidence, and trust in God.

Faith is demonstrated by your abiding in Christ.

We’ll begin this section of our conversation by sharing Jesus’ words found in John chapter 15. Jesus said: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:4,5 KJV

To obey Christ, you must continue to walk in His Word. This is abiding in Him, or staying in Him. We were told by the Holy Spirit through John what we must do in order to be accepted at His coming:

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. I John 2:28

Yet in that passage, John only echoed the words of our Savior who told us …

I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself., except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:1,2,4,5

We hope you are beginning to see that Faith is much more than just miracles. Faith is a miracle.

Faith is more than miracles.

Another scriptural support for the belief that Faith is a lifestyle is Jesus’ response to the disciples after they had been sent on a trial mission of performing miracles. When they came back, they were all excited about the miracles that had been performed. But notice that Jesus told them not to focus on the miracles, but that something else was much more important than the miracles.

"And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:17-20

Jesus told them that having been reunited into the family of God was what they should really rejoice about, not the miracles. Although their faith channeled the power of God for their use, it did not replace the overall purpose of the mission. The mission was not to perform a show for the world, but to reunite men with God through faith in Jesus Christ. The life in Christ with God is the true reason for their joy. Miracles are temporary (in that they don’t last forever); but life with God through Jesus is eternal.

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. I John 5:11-13

Faith is a lifestyle and not just a Life tool. Faith is totally submerging yourself in and under the power and authority of God. Faith is a way of life and a state of being. Faith is the lifestyle of confidence, hope, belief and obedience of a child of God. It can be summed up in the following words:

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

How can we equate this scripture with faith, then? Simply because we were told that it is impossible to please God without faith. We must please God by the way we live. Now Christ told us that if we take up our cross daily [the cross of self-sacrifice and complete obedience to the will of God], then we will receive the pleasure of God and eternal life.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s and of the holy angels Matthew 16:25-27 KJV

If Faith is a lifestyle, then how does it look? Let’s look at what should be produced in us if Christ is inside of us: namely, the fruit of the Spirit. Now before you put the book down saying what does the fruit of the Spirit have to do with faith, just hold on and you may discover something. On the surface these concepts may look as if they have no connection to our topic, but you may be a bit surprised when you truly open the Word of God.

The look of faith can be found in what it is supposed to produce. We received Christ into our hearts by believing in Him, but something is supposed to be produced as a result. We find this in Paul ‘s letter to the Galatians; and we call it the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is what is produced; and God told us what it is.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22,23

But how did we receive it?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

But how do we know that Faith is a lifestyle? Because it is produced by a life of love and it must be accompanied by love.

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6

In the New International Version, this verse reads:

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6 NIV

If this is the connection, and this is how Faith looks, how does Faith act?

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not, charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. I Corinthians 13:4-7

This is faith because this is Love. Love, like faith, is a personality trait of the Holy Spirit; but walking in love is the essence of faith. Walking in love pleases the Lord. We are told that Faith is expressed through love. Since God is love, and faith must be expressed through love, then Faith must also express the life of Christ in us - since He told us to love each other as He loved us.

"He that path. my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.