MYSTERIES OF GOD
THE MYSTERY OF FAITH

It is the Glory of God to Conceal a Matter,
It is the Glory of Kings to Search out a Matter.
Proverbs 25:2

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 1 Corinthians 2:7 Which none of the princes of this world knew: (2:7) for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1Co 2:9 ¶ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Tools specific to 1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14
 
  
     Revelation and inspiration result from searching, knocking and asking. As simple as it may sound, these pathways that lead a seeker into the knowledge of the mysteries of God is not easy to discover. "God is a Spirit," says the scripture. His divine existence is one that can only be perceived, believed on a non-sensing level. If I say that I know God, whom you neither know nor see, you can only judge my assertions on the basis of my personal credibility. Some spokes persons for God or more credible than others. The early apostles did not so much argue the existence of God as a theory or concept but to prove His existence by supernatural attestations, demonstrating the Power of God. (1Corinthians 2). So we have the matter of proving to a materialistic non believing world that God is real and that He still has a part in the day to day affairs of this world and its occupants. It is a very great mystery that it is G-d who calls us to have fellowship with Him. It is G-d who equips us to grow and minister through Him. It is G-d who preserves and keeps us until his coming to gather his called out people unto himself. So you see, that it is very little about our performance or goodness. The gift of G-d prevails throughout the life of a believer.


THE MYSTERY OF FAITH
Introduction

Progressive Revelation

First let me preface this topic by stating the principle that persons without the Spirit do not, can not know God! They are wearing the spiritual blinders common to all humanity. The first step to progressive revelation is to be born of God. This allows them to be partakers of the heavenly and Christ's divine nature. Thereafter they can read the work of God or scripture and derive understanding from it. Prior to this time it is sealed to them. Their eyes have the veil of spiritual blindness that is removed through Christ.

     God is a god of mysteries and hidden things. The parables taught by Yeshua (Jesus) had within them truth at varying levels, plain story-level truth and higher spiritual level revelation. There is and always was that matter of hidden truth. To Christ's disciples it was given to know the secrets of the Kingdom of God while others received no more than a moral homily. God reveals himself to some and not to others. Heaven and its mysteries are not laid bare for any to intrude upon as there are defining limits between darkness and heavenly light. The Bible truths and hidden mysteries are not delineated as point by point, topic by topic facts and realities. Thus the key to unpacking and deciphering the Word of God can not be achieved strictly by academic skills and study alone. Without the Holy Spirit which is the teacher and discipler of truth we are limited pretty much to the moral homily level of the listener.

We are given understanding in the light of Yeshua (Jesus) in a line by line, precept upon precept, understanding that Jesus is the Word of God, Itself the greatest mystery. For when the Scripture is made known in its completeness we shall See Him as He IS.

The following writings deal with the subject of Mysteries. They do little more than introduce the topics of God's mysteries, some of the mysteries. There remains, more, much more to be gleaned within these domains of study. Moreover, there are likely more and more mysteries and mysteries within mysteries which will come into our field of view in due time. Revelation is progressive and always deepening as His truth is being revealed by God's Holy Spirit in God's divine time. God is withholding certain things from us because it is not yet His time. Contrary to some ecclesiastical authorities we do not have all the answers (facts) as to Who God is and what His complete plan is for His Body, The Church (another mystery).

Matthew 16:16 "But who do you say ye that I am?"
Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter, answers and says, "You are the Messiah, the son of the Living God." Jesus then tells Peter, "- - - Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. This is an example of how we receive knowledge of hidden things, Mysteries revealed by God 1Corinthians 2:0 - -"Eye has not seen nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those that love him. 10: But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11. For man knows the things of a man, save the sprit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God, know man knows, but the Spirit of God.

No scripture is of private interpretation. The word of God means only what God has intended it to mean. The apostles of the first church established the precise understandings and parameters of doctrine that stand for all generations. There is today an apostate movement that would tell us that the present prophets and apostles have greater knowledge that the early apostles. This is a dangerous deception. Any and all current revelations must square with the word of faith first presented by the fathers. (Jude 3)

Various Uses of the Religious term "Faith"

“FAITH” A GENERIC RELIGIOUS TERM REFERRING TO BELIEF IN A RELIGION A PERSON WITHOUT “FAITH” MIGHT CONSIDER HIMSELF/herself AN ATHEIST One can argue that they still have faith in something e.g. SCIENCE, or COMMON SENSE

THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM: “HE BELIEVED GOD AND IT WAS CONSIDERED HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

THE "FORMULA FOR FAITH" AS GIVEN IN HEBREWS 1:16
All active actions of faith are exemplified by this principle  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. My faith definition is “knowing that God is working continuously with you - even in the, here and now, present moment or crisis

FAITH TO BE “BORN AGAIN” FAITH TO WALK ON WATER, FAITH TO CALM A STORM, CURSE A FIG TREE THE
"For to each of us is given the measure of faith." No one can believe unless that God-measure comes to us; therefore it is a gift from God.

THE FAITH MOVEMENT AND HOW IT BEGAN TO LOSE ITS WAY
I and others started out in the Kenneth Hagin, Norvell Hayes, Copeland school of faith. Hyper faith teaching began to misjudge those who lacked faith, spoke amiss or declared things which were rather than were not. There grew to be faith in faith and not in God. There are Biblical instances when not all of the apostles experienced healing or deliverance from hardship.
1 Peter 4:12 – Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES THAT HAVE FAITH AS THE FOUNDATION:
THE PRAYER OF FAITH TO HEAL THE SICK;
BAPTISM INTO NEWNESS OF LIFE;
FAITH IN RENEWAL FROM 'LORD'S SUPPER"
MARK 16 FAITH; See Mark 16:15-18
FAITH IN POWER OVER DEMONS;
FAITH IN DIVINE PROTECTION; ETC.

BELIEFS currently prevalent that have replaced Biblical “Faith.” Rationalism.
Belief that human reason should be our supreme authority (a belief which, ironically, we cannot prove by human reason!). Egalitarianism. Belief that all people should be given equality of opportunity / outcome regardless of (enter classes of your choice). Naturalism. Belief that the natural world is all there is — there is no divine being. Libertarianism. Belief that people should have unfettered freedom in every area of life (except where they ‘harm’ others — as defined by the elite). Relativism. Belief that there is no such thing as ultimate truth (which is, famously, a claim to ultimate truth).  Salvation by works. Belief that God accepts us on the basis of what we do.

BELIEFS COMMON TO THE ‘NATURAL MAN/PERSON’
Hedonism.
Belief that pleasure is the aim of life and will satisfy me.
(Witchcraft and Luciferianism)
Materialism.
Belief that money and possessions will satisfy me and natural things guide my world view. Decisions like these about what beliefs to hold are being made daily by everyone we encounter. The person who sits opposite you at work; the person you talk to occasionally on the train; the teacher who advances a particular idea in your local school.

FAITH VERSUS REASON AND EVIDENCE
Science (think “the vast universe” somehow displaces God. Most evolutionists - Stephen Hawking, &tc.
Who God has chosen, 1Corinthians 1:26 
For [k]you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many [l]noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the [m]base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.

Faith Works Through Faith
Faith and the Grace of God

  Grace is everything that God has provided Is providing, And will provide, On our behalf. Grace is what God does, Yielding and Obeying Is what we do.

 A Bible Example of Faith in Action

Faith and Grace


Faith Grows as a Fruit as we study the Word of God


Jesus Lived by Faith


Jesus Taught and Demonstrated Faith in Action

 

A Bible Example of Faith in Action

 
To continue the idea of response to God or his Word, we can find it portrayed in the Gospel story in Matthew 14:28. In this account, Peter sees Jesus walking upon the surface of the water, an act quite impossible in the natural world unless of course the water be frozen. Peter, always adventurous, tells Jesus that he would like to join him in walking on the water, but only if it truly is Jesus. The faith sequence is portrayed by Jesus telling Peter to "come." Peter himself, then proceeds to approach Jesus, walking on the water. When he removes his eyes from the master and begins to sink, Peter began to notice the waves and the storm, when his faith was replaced by reason and doubt, Peter began to sink.

An indispensable element of the equation is the fact that Jesus spoke directly to Peter and said, "Come."

Jesus spoke this Rhema, or spoken word, and Peter acted upon that word from the Lord. It was not Peter's ability to transcend the laws of nature but the power of the Word of God, which formed all of the natural world in the beginning. This Word held Peter up miraculously. This was faith in action.

In the present day we do not often get rhemas to walk on water but if His voice tells you, "Walk." you should respond. If it tells you, "Sing." you should resound. If it tells you "Go." you should respond. If it tells you, "Stop."you should respond. This is acting in response upon faith.
 
  Faith and Grace

The natural human mind, emotions and will (the human soul) would not seek God, could not believe, and it has no inherent goodness in itself. Though not all of our souls are that of arch villains or wholly reprobate, everyone in the human race " -falls short of the glory of God." Therefore our faith is first given to us by God. His provision or spiritual endowment is GRACE.

Grace is everything which God has provided and will provide, working (spiritually) on our behalf. Grace is what God does! Yielding and obeying is what we do!

In the beginning all of Paul's epistles, Paul pronounces a certain phrase. I believe these words were written by the Spirit of God to provide a living rhema capable of empowering our faith as we read. This by the apostle and charged with Spiritual Power, that phrase is, "Grace be unto you -," sometimes it is accompanied by "and Peace - " This "invocation" has come to be ritualized in church ceremonies but in its initial form, I believe it was Paul's intent that it be, a prayer of faith. A prayer of faith is a spoken proclamation which is intended to achieve a Spiritual result. The sinner's prayer is a prayer in faith that brings salvation. See my 5 minute video.

Grace is the working of a Spiritual God on our behalf. Grace is linked to the term "anointing", which is the manifestation of power and presence of God working upon one of his servants at a certain time.

It is the Father in heaven who sends His Spirit to help us in every way including to believe. This is an act of GRACE. Grace is that which God does or supplies freely on our behalf. Grace too is spiritual. It is a "Spiritual Fuel" which allows faith to work.

Salvation through grace and faith is described in Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

Faith Grows as a Fruit as we study the Word of God

Faith grows as a consequence of studying the Scriptures which are the repository of God's mind and wisdom. The entrance of God's word brings "life" and "light" as the psalmist declares. God's Word begins to redirect our thought processes and renews our minds to conform to God's thought. If we have little understanding of the Word, it follows that we can not be persons of faith. But again I promise you, God provides Grace and anointing to follow Him and know His word.

Faith is cumulative, like a living entity it grows and develops. Hearing the Word of God spoken builds faith. (Faith comes by hearing.) Reading the Scriptures aloud is a powerful faith building exercise. Speaking the Word of God with our own mouths builds and activates faith.

For example when it says in Scripture, "Fear not, for I the Lord am with you." We may activate faith by saying aloud, "I will not fear for you Lord, are with me."

If we believe we shall see the glory of God. If we do not believe, we can not see God's manifested glory. Unbelief does not activate faith. God does not violate our unyielding will and unbelief. As we move toward God in faith, he moves toward us.

Jesus Lived by Faith

Isaiah 11 is a prophetic scripture desribing Yeshua, Jesus the Messiah, in it he is described as the one who does not judge by seeing of his eyes nor the hearing of his ears; this is the essential formula for any faith-filled child of God. Truth and the life of God are born in the heart of the children of God. (Jesus was the first born of many brethren.) In the days of the created son of God, Adam and Eve, the knowledge of God was part of their life. Godly wisdom were resident in their hearts; The fall was initiated by seeing with the natural eyes and hearing with the natural ears world and knowledge of good and evil was predicated on the natural world and not faith.

Some may wish to argue that Jesus was too much like God and thus exempted from the life of faith that is required of us. I do not believe that this was the case. I believe that Jesus of Nazareth, was cast to act as the "son of man", having to exercise faith continuously from His youth onwards. It is said of Jesus, that he was full of Grace and Truth.

Two things are evident here: First that Jesus had knowledge of and lived by the Word (Scriptures) The Scriptures are the source of Faith. The son of God did not operate as God in this world but as the son of man, thus he operated under faith which pleases God and so demonstrated this principle to all of us! "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17, Luke 3:22)

Another point in support of this thesis is that Jesus walked in faith is the Scripture which we quote from Habakuk 2:4, " - -the just shall live by his faith." Whose faith we may ask? The answer I believe, is Christ (the Lord.) Therefore if it is his faith which empowers us, he must therefore be preeminent in the exercise and use of faith.

Jesus obeyed the word of the Father with whom he was in Spiritual union. It was the Father's voice and Jesus' response to his Father's voice, the Rhema, which characterizes Christ's life of faith for all of us, his disciples.

Jesus Taught and Demonstrated Faith in Action

Jesus likewise, demonstrated faith by action. Thus both Jesus' words and actions initiated a life under God's control. His spoken words were with the tone of authority, they brought a result which was often miraculous. Miracles are spiritual intervention in the natural order, thus they are considered supernatural.

To receive any manifestation from God we must act upon faith. We must say or do something. (Romans 10:9,10, we see the principle of Faith described that results in the new birth "for with the heart we believe and with the mouth we confess.") Only true and sincere belief causes God to honor faith. God looks upon the heart of man. We can not in faith through another's belief. We can not walk on water because Jesus told Peter to come forth. Our faith must be personal and it must be sincere knowing with assurance that his Word was given to us.

Finally, friend of God, to summarize: All spiritual promises are reached through the door of faith. To see the promises of God actualized requires faith. With faith all things are possible. "


E Book 1:
The Gospel Without Religion

E Book 2:

A Disciples Handbook

E Book 3:

Mysteries in the Bible


Index to all Charles Pinkney Christian Titles

Resources: Understanding Home Fellowships

Frank Viola Interviews a typical church-goer

(Discussion of Open Church)


 
 

"If you believe you will see the Glory of God. "

"Knowledge makes arrogant, love edifies."



  ©1995 - 2023

 

Introduction to Mysteries of God

Index to Bible Mysteries

 

The Rapture of Believers, Part 1

The bride and the Bridegroom typology and the rapture
 

Mystery of Accessing God

Mystery of the Body of Christ 

Mystery of the Cross, Crucified with Him

Mystery of Faith Believing God's Word

Mystery of Grace, God's Hand Stretched Forth
 

Mystery of Power and Divine Enablement

Mystery of Spoken Words of Covenant 
 

Mystery of Righteousness in the Beloved

Mystery of the Word -.Bible is a Living Force

Mystery of Spirit and Spirits