There is a general revelation and a supernatural (special) revelation. (for more information click here) Maybe we’ll discuss general revelation sometime, but today I would like us to consider this statement:
Faith comes through revelation. Without the latter the former is impossible.
That may seem like an odd statement. Let’s verify its veracity.
God Revelation
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:16-17 (CSB emphasis added)
What happened in Peter that was exceptional? Several people already knew that Jesus was the Son of God before the apostle Peter.
The angel Gabriel told Mary, Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” –Luke 1:31-33 (CSB)
An angel told the shepherds, Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.–Luke 2:11 (CSB)
The apostles told Jesus, When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.” – Matthew 14:32-33 (CSB)
God-faith
So, what was special when Peter said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:16 (CSB)? Peter received a supernatural revelation. Peter believed. The Father revealed this truth to Peter so had God-faith. Others heard the news, and some spoke this truth, but Peter had a supernatural revelation from the Father, which gave him the faith to believe in Jesus.
Let’s jump over to the book of Galatians. The apostle Paul wrote: I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Galatians 3:2 (CSB) The obvious answer is by believing what they heard.
Now let’s go to the book of Ephesians. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSB emphasis added)
The Galatians were saved by grace through faith, which was a gift from God. In this miraculous process, they received the Holy Spirit. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers has this comment: And that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.—This attribution of all to the gift of God seems to cover the whole idea—both the gift of salvation and the gift of faith to accept it.
Faith Comes Through Revelation
When a truth is unfolded by God it most naturally becomes a power in man, who then finds himself able to believe. Faith comes through revelation. Without the latter the former is impossible. This explains why many do not have faith, for though they mentally understand they do not have God’s revelation. –Watchman Nee (his bio)
God-faith doesn’t stop after we are saved. That’s just the beginning! Each person that God calls, He calls for a purpose. In Christ Jesus, you have a purpose, but you can only correctly fill that purpose if you pray in faith, act in faith, and partner with fellow believers in faith; that faith is born from God’s revelation to you. As Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3:5-6:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Does anyone else remember pointing like the woman in the picture is doing? Think 1960s, 1970s.
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