11 Kinds of Faith
The 11 Kinds of Faith © Al Pirozzoli
Before we look at the kinds of faith we first, we need to define faith:
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance (total confidence) of things hoped (expectation) for, the conviction (set in reality) of things not seen."
How do we use faith daily? “We walk by faith not by sight.”2 Cor. 5:7
1 No Excuse Faith
Romans 1: 18-20 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
If you are walking in a desert and your foot hits something in the sand, you bend down to pick it up and in your hand is a wristwatch with a leather watch band. You can conclude one of two things.
There is a watchmaker. Or you look around and think that the components in the sand, the silica and bits of stone somehow got together with a desert lizard. The component and materials in the sand of their own accord, built a watch and the lizard, well, poor fella, his skin was used to make the watch band strap. Of course, this begs the question who made the sand and the lizard? Well, you get the point. Considering all the complexities and details and orderly design of everything around us and in us, it is evident there is a Creator. As the scripture attests, there is no excuse for not knowing there is a God who creates. There is a time when you must clarify this truth by the design of all things. It is a baseline to build on.
2 Merciful Faith
1 Timothy 1:13-14, "I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, but the grace of our Lord overflowed [for me] with the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."
Paul was an unbeliever and a mortal enemy of the church (then called the Way). But then grace overflowed to him with faith. We are prepared if willing, to receive salvation. This kind of faith is offered to all and rests in pure mercy. God, desires us to be saved—he shows mercy. Consider this verse:
“Or do you think lightly of the riches of God’s kindness and patience, don’t you know that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4
This is nothing short of stunning to read and to be its recipient. It’s applied to Paul and you and me. There are times when it is necessary for you to apply a merciful faith with someone.
3 Fundamental Faith
Faith in what the Bible teaches. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again. “Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
She knew the fundamentals of her faith. There are times when you will need to apply the fundamental principles of faith in the Word of God.
4 Limited Faith
Thomas became known as Doubting Thomas because he wrestled with the truth that Jesus rose from the dead. Limited to only what he could see. Yes, God can do this —-but he can’t do THAT! There are times when you will have to function in faith and not by sight.
5 Recall Faith
“Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments spoken by His mouth.” Ps 105:5 God has, more times than you know, stepped in on your behalf. It could have been a healing, or some kind of safety issue, of financially, or helped a loved one. There is something you can look back at and see the hand of God. There are times when you will need to bolster your faith by looking back, and be confident and grateful that God has helped and will again.
FOR CONSIDERATION:
God gave us many faith tools for various situations. Don’t get stuck in working with only one faith principle. There are different kinds of faith for different kinds of trials as you have seen above.
To help illustrate that there is more than one kind of faith, and we should not be stuck in one dimension of it. This is an old story but nicely makes the point above.
A young woman walked along the seashore early one morning. Just ahead a man stood, feet in the water, casting out a fishing line. Every time he reeled in a fish, he would pick up a metal ruler and measure the fish. In some cases, he would place the fish in his bucket but with other fish, once measured, he would throw it back into the waves. This unusual behavior went on for a while. Intrigued by all this, the young girl walked up to the man and politely asked why he was measuring the fish he caught and why he was throwing so many back?
The man replied, quite seriously, “I only keep the 8-inch fish.”
But why?” the girl asked.
“Well, I only have an 8-inch frying pan!”
Now, besides being a bit humorous, this is often what believers do. They think that faith is faith. God, knowing our ways saw it fit to demonstrate in the Bible that there are many kinds of faith to suit many kinds of situations. You can’t apply faith because you only have an 8-inch frying pan mindset.
There will be a time when you help someone step out of a paralyzed belief, out of the status quo.
6. Expectational Faith
“Whenever you stand praying believe what you ask and it will be granted.” Mark 11:24
This are the words of Jesus himself. I don’t think it requires my commentary! There is no time when you pray without believing it has already come to pass.
7 Aggressive Faith
Peter and John at Gate Beautiful
"Peter and John looked at him. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The man who could not walk looked at them. He thought he would get something from them. 6 Peter said, “I have no money, but what I have I will give you! In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” 7
Peter seized the man by the right hand and lifted him up. At once his feet and the bones in his legs became strong. 8 He jumped up on his feet and walked. Then he went in the house of God with them. He gave thanks to God as he walked. Acts 3
This is a profound demonstration of the definition of faith as shown on the first page. See it here in action. The proper translation as I underlined in the verse is “seized.”
Here is the definition:
To take hold of suddenly and forcibly; grab; overwhelm; to take possession by force. Now that is amazing. There will be a time when you will act in this kind of faith.
8 Gentle Faith
By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 Corinthians 10:1
There are times to bring someone along gently, unlike aggressive faith.
9. Explorational Faith
Moses’ mother, Jochebed hides baby Moses in a basket and places it into the Nile River. Snakes, crocodiles, or the basket could sink. There were no specific faith writings that she could read to do such a thing. But it is a faith that God has imprinted in our hearts when we know Jesus intimately as sovereign. She explored a explorational faith action with God. There will be times when you too must apply faith in an exploration way.
10. Repentant Faith
"You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
"You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
"For this reason, I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?" And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Her repentance is a physical and mental act as she wipes his feet. Confess sin, then a repenting heart and life. This is one of the most beautiful scenes in the Bible. Take some time and saturate in it.
There will be a time when you must kneel your heart and move to repentance. This is the preparation required for the next type of faith, and the single most important.
11. Salvation Faith
Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
This is ultimate faith— the other 10 cannot be accessed without salvation first.
There will come a moment ( if you haven’t already), when you give yourself to Jesus Christ and receive the benefit of forgiveness and the sheer, indescribable, beautiful, unfathomable, glory, and powerful love of God. If you have this transformation, the time will come when you help bring some else to know Jesus, our Christ!
Before we look at the kinds of faith we first, we need to define faith:
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance (total confidence) of things hoped (expectation) for, the conviction (set in reality) of things not seen."
How do we use faith daily? “We walk by faith not by sight.”2 Cor. 5:7
1 No Excuse Faith
Romans 1: 18-20 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
If you are walking in a desert and your foot hits something in the sand, you bend down to pick it up and in your hand is a wristwatch with a leather watch band. You can conclude one of two things.
There is a watchmaker. Or you look around and think that the components in the sand, the silica and bits of stone somehow got together with a desert lizard. The component and materials in the sand of their own accord, built a watch and the lizard, well, poor fella, his skin was used to make the watch band strap. Of course, this begs the question who made the sand and the lizard? Well, you get the point. Considering all the complexities and details and orderly design of everything around us and in us, it is evident there is a Creator. As the scripture attests, there is no excuse for not knowing there is a God who creates. There is a time when you must clarify this truth by the design of all things. It is a baseline to build on.
2 Merciful Faith
1 Timothy 1:13-14, "I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, but the grace of our Lord overflowed [for me] with the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."
Paul was an unbeliever and a mortal enemy of the church (then called the Way). But then grace overflowed to him with faith. We are prepared if willing, to receive salvation. This kind of faith is offered to all and rests in pure mercy. God, desires us to be saved—he shows mercy. Consider this verse:
“Or do you think lightly of the riches of God’s kindness and patience, don’t you know that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4
This is nothing short of stunning to read and to be its recipient. It’s applied to Paul and you and me. There are times when it is necessary for you to apply a merciful faith with someone.
3 Fundamental Faith
Faith in what the Bible teaches. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again. “Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
She knew the fundamentals of her faith. There are times when you will need to apply the fundamental principles of faith in the Word of God.
4 Limited Faith
Thomas became known as Doubting Thomas because he wrestled with the truth that Jesus rose from the dead. Limited to only what he could see. Yes, God can do this —-but he can’t do THAT! There are times when you will have to function in faith and not by sight.
5 Recall Faith
“Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments spoken by His mouth.” Ps 105:5 God has, more times than you know, stepped in on your behalf. It could have been a healing, or some kind of safety issue, of financially, or helped a loved one. There is something you can look back at and see the hand of God. There are times when you will need to bolster your faith by looking back, and be confident and grateful that God has helped and will again.
FOR CONSIDERATION:
God gave us many faith tools for various situations. Don’t get stuck in working with only one faith principle. There are different kinds of faith for different kinds of trials as you have seen above.
To help illustrate that there is more than one kind of faith, and we should not be stuck in one dimension of it. This is an old story but nicely makes the point above.
A young woman walked along the seashore early one morning. Just ahead a man stood, feet in the water, casting out a fishing line. Every time he reeled in a fish, he would pick up a metal ruler and measure the fish. In some cases, he would place the fish in his bucket but with other fish, once measured, he would throw it back into the waves. This unusual behavior went on for a while. Intrigued by all this, the young girl walked up to the man and politely asked why he was measuring the fish he caught and why he was throwing so many back?
The man replied, quite seriously, “I only keep the 8-inch fish.”
But why?” the girl asked.
“Well, I only have an 8-inch frying pan!”
Now, besides being a bit humorous, this is often what believers do. They think that faith is faith. God, knowing our ways saw it fit to demonstrate in the Bible that there are many kinds of faith to suit many kinds of situations. You can’t apply faith because you only have an 8-inch frying pan mindset.
There will be a time when you help someone step out of a paralyzed belief, out of the status quo.
6. Expectational Faith
“Whenever you stand praying believe what you ask and it will be granted.” Mark 11:24
This are the words of Jesus himself. I don’t think it requires my commentary! There is no time when you pray without believing it has already come to pass.
7 Aggressive Faith
Peter and John at Gate Beautiful
"Peter and John looked at him. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The man who could not walk looked at them. He thought he would get something from them. 6 Peter said, “I have no money, but what I have I will give you! In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” 7
Peter seized the man by the right hand and lifted him up. At once his feet and the bones in his legs became strong. 8 He jumped up on his feet and walked. Then he went in the house of God with them. He gave thanks to God as he walked. Acts 3
This is a profound demonstration of the definition of faith as shown on the first page. See it here in action. The proper translation as I underlined in the verse is “seized.”
Here is the definition:
To take hold of suddenly and forcibly; grab; overwhelm; to take possession by force. Now that is amazing. There will be a time when you will act in this kind of faith.
8 Gentle Faith
By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 Corinthians 10:1
There are times to bring someone along gently, unlike aggressive faith.
9. Explorational Faith
Moses’ mother, Jochebed hides baby Moses in a basket and places it into the Nile River. Snakes, crocodiles, or the basket could sink. There were no specific faith writings that she could read to do such a thing. But it is a faith that God has imprinted in our hearts when we know Jesus intimately as sovereign. She explored a explorational faith action with God. There will be times when you too must apply faith in an exploration way.
10. Repentant Faith
"You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
"You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
"For this reason, I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?" And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Her repentance is a physical and mental act as she wipes his feet. Confess sin, then a repenting heart and life. This is one of the most beautiful scenes in the Bible. Take some time and saturate in it.
There will be a time when you must kneel your heart and move to repentance. This is the preparation required for the next type of faith, and the single most important.
11. Salvation Faith
Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
This is ultimate faith— the other 10 cannot be accessed without salvation first.
There will come a moment ( if you haven’t already), when you give yourself to Jesus Christ and receive the benefit of forgiveness and the sheer, indescribable, beautiful, unfathomable, glory, and powerful love of God. If you have this transformation, the time will come when you help bring some else to know Jesus, our Christ!
Recent
Archive
2022
April
July
December
Categories
no categories
No Comments