The Meaning of the Nature of Faith

The nature of faith is centered upon the Person of Jesus Christ. A "faith" that does not focus upon the message of Christ is a false gospel whereby there are "legion" of gospels that oppose the true nature of the Gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:8-9). It is quite important that the nature of faith are defined according to the standard definition of the Bible. It is amazingly difficult that there are cultist that utilize biblical terminology (e.g. "firstborn") but have radically different meanings (2 Pet. 3:16, 17). For any Christian to be effective in pre-evangelism and discipleship is to insult that many of cultist define biblical terms (e.g. "firstborn") according to the standard definition of the Bible. That is the way by which many Christians can "stripped" the cultist of its most powerful arsenal (2 Cor. 4:3-4).  It is very unfortunate that there are cults within the Faith movement that utilize at will biblical terminologies (e.g. "faith"), but have radically total different meanings: that of "Faith as a force; words are the container of the force by which the Faith Christian can speak their world into existence as if they are the Sovereign Creator. They worship the creature more than the Creator." How is it that the system of Faith theology can worship some "god force" at the exclusion of the Christ of scripture which is in fact a "false" faith?

   Throughout this article I will begin to address the nature of faith as to (1) the meaning of what faith is. (2) how faith is centered upon the Person of Christ. (3) The false dichotomy of faith taught within many Faith circles. (4) The legality of faith as a means what of salvation. (5) The remedy to this all-pervasive problem of faith that have in fact destroyed the Christian faith and the moral lives of believers.

    The meaning of the nature of faith is defined according to Romans 10:17 where it says, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." In so many words the nature of faith is hearing the message of Christ's gospel; not through building of one's faith in order to act upon the Faith Christian in conquering sin, sickness, disease, and poverty. I can remember when I first came to accept Christ as Savior and Lord that I (1) heard the message of the gospel of Christ. (2) convicted by the Holy Spirit as to my own personal sin (3) received that of the irresistible grace of God through divine election. (4) whereby I have gift of salvation through God's Son Jesus Christ. The nature of faith is hearing the message of the Gospel of Christ in order for the unsaved to receive the gift of salvation (Jn. 3:36; Rom. 10:9-10).  It is so important that believers are taught properly the God's Word in order to live lives pleasing unto the Lord or otherwise it can have an adverse effect within the spiritual and moral lives of God's people (2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Tim. 2:17-18).

    The question, "How is it that the nature of faith is centered upon the Person of Christ?" It is hearing the message and that the message of Christ is through the word about Christ. Throughout the synoptic Gospel: that of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John chronicles the life, work, and death of Christ and His resurrection in order to know Who Christ Is. To know who God is through the Incarnate Christ (Jn. 1:14). There is nothing other than the Gospel can we know Who Christ is: that of the revelation of God's Word (2 Tim. 3:15, 16). Faith is centered upon the Person of God's divine Son Jesus Christ; not through some personage or angelic being of worshiped (Col. 2:18, 19). 

    The false dichotomy of faith that is taught within many Faith circles that the Faith Christian must act upon God's Word. The basic premise or argument of the doctrine of Faith taught within many Faith circles especially within the context of the African American Word of Faith movement churches is that the "Faith" believer do not look at what they see, but what they do not see." Is that the actual meaning of the nature of faith according to Romans 10:17? Absolutely not! To further elaborate the premise or the argument of the Faith movement's understanding of the doctrine of Faith is that for the "Faith" Christ to act upon God's Word is to not look at what they see (e.g. "symptom" of cancer), but what they do not see (i.e. "faith confession") so as to conquer sin, sickness, disease, and death. The system of Faith theology use as a biblical proof-text of 2 Cor. 5:7 to promote such "blind" faith as it relates to denying "symptom" of sickness in favor of such positive confession of faith (Matt. 4:1-11).  The "faith" of Faith theology is a man-centered faith at the exclusion of faith being at the center of  the message of Christ's Gospel (Gal. 1:8-9; 1 Cor. 15:1-3). It is trusting Christ for salvation; not "faith" in acting upon God's Word (2 Cor. 5:7).

    The legality of the doctrine of Faith as a means of salvation is for "Faith" believer to "activate" or to walk in faith in conquering sin, sickness, disease, and poverty as if they are the "Christos" or "Christ" residing within there [human] spirit.  In order that Gnostics can attain salvation is there "knowledge" of knowing who they are in Christ and realizing the "spark" of divinity from within: that of being the "Anointed" One or the "Christs" as to be more than conquerors within the world. Asceticism and libertinism are associated with Gnosticism understanding of who they are and the world around them. Even though there are many faith teachers who talk about salvation in Jesus, but that the "Faith" Christian must "walk" or "act" in faith in conquering sin, sickness, disease, and death. That as "conquerors" that the "Faith" Christians is the "Christos" or "Christ" as a Master human race. So the whole of the "faith" of Faith theology is a works system; not a grace movement (Eph. 2:8-9).

    The remedy to this all pervasive problem of the Faith movement's understanding of the doctrine of Faith is that of God's divine judgment (1 Tim. 4:1). The doctrinal depravity of faith taught within many Faith circles have in fact reached into the annals of biblical Christianity and the historic Christian church whereby it has infected the faith of the Church and in ruining the moral lives of God's people (2 Tim. 2:17, 18).  Despite of the numerous attempts made by many parachurch ministries and Christian organization to make clear the biblical definition of the nature of faith (Rom. 10:17) that "cultist" within Faith movement especially within the context of the African American Word of Faith movement religion persist in their diatribe teaching as to their understanding of faith: that of to "walk" or "act" in faith as if they are the Sovereign Creator in overcoming sin, sickness, disease, and poverty are in fact spiritually "blinded" by Satan who is the Enemy of man's soul (2 Cor. 4:1-2; 3-4).  Even in the midst of God's divine judgment that God demonstrates His love (Rom. 8:28). As concern Christians and family members who have lost their loved ones to the Faith movement must pray and continue to reach out to those who are snare by the Enemy (2 Tim. 2:24-26) in order to shed light concerning the truth of God's Word.  The stakes are high; the person's faith hinges upon where they will spend eternity (Jn. 3:36).

Rev. Darryl L. Miller is founder & Lead pastor of Contending for the Faith Church of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also president and Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries and travels extensively throughout the United States and the continents. Darryl is bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From: Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" As a apologist, evangelist, senior researcher/editor, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."