Lesson 4
The "Gift" of Special Faith
1 Corinthians 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit,
Right at the beginning we must point out that this gift is like all the other giftings of the Holy Spirit. It is not mere faith, like a word of wisdom is not mere human wisdom. If this were so, or even perhaps if this were just an extension of the faith of human beings then the supernatural element would have been removed. But it is not so. One of the other giftings of healing and another miracles....quite evidently not natural these giftings. Neither are the others.
All nine gifts are supernatural elements and parts t the Holy Spirit. Now these work through men, but they do not come from mankind. They come from God who "works all in all" as was stated in 1 Corinthians 12. He divides u the supernatural giftings and works them into the ministries that He gives to people. The callings of God are something else.
So then we must rule out the fact that this kind of faith can be found in mankind. It is similar to the faith of human beings but it is, in effect, the faith of God. It is referred to in many translations as "special kind of faith". Or faith that can be used for special or immensely difficult or dangerous situations. Out of the normal.
Hence the need for the supernatural element.
Examples of this higher form of trusting God come when the individual has come to the end of their own faith. As with all the other gifts...mankind is "used up" it's efforts and now only supernatural faith can save them.
The Example of Daniel
in the lions den is a good example of this. Daniel's faith was in God but he needed something more than this faith to endure the lions den and also to state that his God would save him from the lions because he did not deserve it.
Daniel
6:22 "My God sent His angel and shut
the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I
was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no
wrong before you."
23 Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that
they should take Daniel up out of the den. So
Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was
found on him, because he
believed in his God.
Modern Day Example
A missionary couple were travelling back along the rugged mountains of Lesotho one night. It was terribly misty and full of low clouds so that they could not see their way clearly. As the travelled in their car they cried out to God to help them. Suddenly the women cried stop the car. The car was stopped. I have faith to ask God for something special. She ask God to deliver them from this situation as the roads were now treacherous and the mountains dangerous. Cars could fall over the edges easily. Both prayed then with eyes shut. When they opened their eyes they were parked in their garage at home 30 miles from where they prayed. She got the special faith gift of the Holy Spirit and asked and it was granted....the miracle happened.
The need for this gift is especially evident in dangerous situations. Rebuking danger and standing still and strong in the face of it all, need special faith, not just normal faith in God. Getting through death often requires this too.
Walking on Water Requires Special Faith
And faith comes from a special word from God often fulfilling the requirement of the scriptures..."Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God!"
It enables endurance for martyrs, for enduring hardships of great magnitude for the kingdom's sake. Missionary initiation often requires this kind of special faith that afterwards is lost....because it is a gift for that occasion, and that one alone. Even the dead are raised through this gift.
BOOK E
Lesson Four
Questions
