Having Respect for Faith

By Bishop John Stevenson

Some would ask, "What is faith?" when the real question is Who and not what. The Bible says faith is the substance of things hope for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). But here's what faith isn't. Faith is not a concept or idea. Faith is a person and His name is Jesus Christ. Just as God is love according to the word of God, Jesus is faith according to the word of God. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). "It", which is the word of God, not only reveals that the word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us, but that His name is the word.

This book will also testify of the coming of faith who was sent by His Father. This writing is to share the wonderful revelation of not what but who faith is. In lieu of this revolution, one must come away with a different perspective because what we see matters and our perception is everything. How we perceive a thing determines how we conceive a thing. How we conceive a thing will in fact determine how I believe a thing and how we believe a thing will determine how we receive a thing. Upon the revealing of faith being a person, we must come to the conclusion that we cannot benefit from someone we have not respect for. The scriptures tell us that Jesus's own people perceived him not (John 1:11). That is because they had the wrong perception of who He was. With wrong perceiving comes wrong conceiving which produces wrong believing. This makes it almost impossible to receive from someone we've placed in such regard. Our faith and belief in a person or a group of people will always determine our level of respect for them.

Here is the conclusion of the whole matter. We cannot benefit from someone we have not respect for. One must respect one's position if they are going to benefit from the power of that position. Therefore, if you intend to draw from the blood that flows through Emmanuelle's veins, respect for Emmanuelle is definitely required.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669805137

Bishop John Stevenson

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Book preview

THE REVELATION OF FAITH

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The revelation of faith. Not only do we find out what faith is we will find out who faith is. If faith remains as just a thing concept or idea we will never come to the understanding of why faith is who faith is. Faith is a who and not what changes everything we ever recognized faith to be. Faith is active in the life of the believer. Faith causes the invisible to become visible and tangible which makes for a very interesting experience. The bible says now faith is. Is what? Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the things not seen. Faith makes things easier to accomplish. Faith removes the physical aspect of labor from the equation. Faith keeps you and me from having to do any heavy lifting. Your Faith will move the mountains out of your way in life. Faith will get it done. Jesus on numerous occasions used a statement like the following. Your faith has done this or that. Your faith has performed this or that. Your faith is credited for this or that. It’s hard to walk in faith if we don’t have the revelation of faith. Revelation is truth uncovered. The undisclosed made visible. Revelation affords us to see that which is hidden in plain sight. There were times when Jesus who is faith was hidden in plain sight but he would eventually make his presence known. Not only is Jesus faith he is also the truth. So revelation allows us to see the truth about faith. And when we get the revelation of the truth about faith it will move us to a position of respect for faith. It is the disrespect for the faith that will prevent us from walking by faith, keeping the faith that hinders the working of faith in our life. Remember my friends what you see matter and your perception is everything. How I perceive a thing will determine how I conceive a thing. How I conceive a thing will weigh heavily on how I believe a thing and how I believe a thing will affect whether or not I can receive a thing from God. Our initial perception of faith will have a greave effect on how we deal with faith for the rest of our lives. You can’t benefit from what you have no respect for. Respect will open the door of your life to a person and give him or her authority in your life to perform services in your life. Faith has been sent to serve God’s people. The bible says Jesus who is faith came to serve and not to be served Mark 10:45. In the absence of respect, faith will not be able to serve you.

HAVING RESPECT FOR FAITH

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Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God according to Romans 10:1- 17 which actually says; {Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:1-17

Remember Zacchaeus

Okay, so we are talking about having respect for faith and how faith comes. So remember Zacchaeus the chief publican? He sought to see Jesus and who he was. The scriptures speak of how Zacchaeus had to put forth the effort if he was to see Jesus because he was small in stature. So he climbs into a sycamore tree in the hope to better his chances. Climbing into the sycamore tree would remove most of the hindrances that he would encounter. Not only did he place himself in a better position to see Jesus. He also put himself in a position to be seen by Jesus. The scripture also says that Zacchaeus climbed in a tree that was in the path that Jesus was sure to take. So when Jesus arrived at the sycamore where Zacchaeus was sitting he looks up and says to him hurry and come down out of the tree. For today I must visit your house. And here’s what the text says next.

And Zacchaeus hurried down from the tree and received Jesus joyfully Luke 19:6. And when some of the onlookers saw what was happening they responded with he is meaning Jesus. He is gone to be guest with a sinner Luke 19:7. But doesn’t the scriptures say that Jesus came to save his people from their sin? Did not Jesus come to save sinners? So by going home with Zacchaeus is not an injustice. He is doing exactly what his father sent him to do. So it’s better to obey God than man. As Zacchaeus stood before Jesus he repents and declares that he will take steps to right and wrong he has committed. And that he will