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What is Perfect Faith?
What is perfect faith? Is perfect faith available to us? If so, how do we obtain it, and what does walking by perfect faith look like? Here’s the short answer: perfect faith is the faith of Jesus. It’s God’s faith. And yes, it is available to all. As we prepare to jump into Scripture to answer these questions more thoroughly from a biblical perspective, relax! Walking by His faith is not about building your faith up to that level. You can’t work for it, much less, earn it.
What is Faith?
By definition, faith is assurance, firm persuasion, or conviction by inward certainty. The biblical meaning is found in Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In short, faith is God’s unseen reality.
God has Faith
Romans 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? This concept is not exactly new, but the fact He has faith, connects us to it by default. We are made in His image, which means God gave us the capacity live by faith. So, what does His faith look like?
Romans 4:16-17 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made you a father of many nations,) before Him Whom he believed, even God, Who quickens the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were.
His faith calls things into existence. That’s something from nothing. We’re creative by nature, but we never actually create things from scratch. We form or mold things out of the things God created. Another aspect of His faith is found in Isaiah: Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure (Isaiah 46:9-10). His faith declares the ending from the beginning.
Here’s an important side note: as we already read, someone’s unbelief does not nullify God’s faith. And that means you do not require others to give you permission to walk by faith. Someone’s unbelief is not your problem, it’s theirs.
Jesus Walked by Faith
Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a Man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.
While on earth, Jesus gave us the Example of what walking by faith looks like. There are three positions which Jesus holds. These may not be all the positions, but knowing these three will help in getting a better understanding of Jesus being both God and Man, while bringing more clarity to the Trinity. They are as follows: Son of man, Son of God and God the Son. Briefly, as the Son of man, He represents humanity to God. As the Son of God He represents God to man. As God the Son, all things were created by Him and for Him (see Colossians 1:15-18).
As the Son of man, Jesus stands in as our peer. As our peer, He died on the Cross in our stead, and will also return to judge the world as the Son of man, not the Son of God (see John 5:26-27). On earth, as the Son of man, He has authority to forgive sin. He represents man to God and is also known as the Son of David, and the second Adam. Through Adam, sin and death entered into the world, and, by Jesus, justification unto life to those who receive Him. By the resurrection He is declared the Son of God (see Romans 1:4), by Whom we obtain the resurrection unto eternal life (John 5:21-25). He represents God to man, and extends His kingdom to the earth through the Holy Spirit. He is the Express Image of the Father, and all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things exist because He is also God the Son.
Can We Walk by Perfect Faith?
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
Notice this verse says, “I live by the faith of the Son of God.” That little word, of refers to the faith of Jesus. Once we were baptized into Jesus, and identified with His death and resurrection, our old selves were counted as dead. This means we no longer live by our faith, but His. Ephesians 3:12 In Whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. Or: “Through His faith.” How is this possible?
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Born again in the Greek means to be born from above. This does not mean some sort of repetition or do-over. It’s a spiritual birth that makes us children of God.
Walking by Perfect Faith Requires Holy Spirit
Romans 8:14-18 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Briefly, walking by perfect faith is an act of submission. When you examine the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23), the manifestation of Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 12:7-11), along with the Armor of God (see Ephesians 6:13-18), you will find that faith is a component of all of these. Which means faith comes from Holy Spirit, not our selves.
What Does Walking by Perfect Faith Look Like?
John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do: for what things soever He does, these also doeth the Son likewise (see also John 12:49-50).
While on earth, Jesus did what He saw the Father do, and spoke what He said to speak. Jesus also said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). What does this point to? Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Not only does this verse refer to hearing the Gospel, it reveals how faith comes. In order to walk by faith, we need to hear from God and then speak and act according to what we hear.
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. If His sheep hear His voice, then there is a voice to be heard! How do we hear His voice? Luke said something very interesting, which gives us a clue.
Acts 1:1-2 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen.
Notice, after the Ascension, Jesus gave commandments to the apostles through Holy Spirit. If you read the entire book of Acts, you will this principle in action.
Because we have Holy Spirit living in us, we are able to hear what Jesus has to say. Some wonder if they can even hear God. Don’t panic! For starters, God is a Respecter of none, and that means every believer has been given the capacity to hear. “But I haven’t heard His voice.” Are you sure? Have you ever felt an inner nudge to do or say something? Maybe you had one of those out of nowhere thoughts come to mind. A sudden solution to a problem, and so on. Have you ever had a check in the spirit? These are all part of hearing.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Anointing means endowment or ability, and is also rendered as “unction” (as found in verse 20). In it, we find those “inclinations,” or discernment. For example, that “gut feeling” that lets you know something isn’t quite right about someone or something. Just as you may experience, “that’s right,” when you hear something taught for the first time; or conversely, “something is off.” That’s all part of hearing. The bottom line, it’s something beyond yourself.
Here’s a suggestion: sit quietly with a notebook and pen. Listen, and write down what you feel the Lord might be saying to you. See if it provides clarity or direction. Date the entry, and read it after some time has passed. Then compare what you wrote to moment in which you find yourself. See if circumstances or events reflect what was written. You may find more clarity about what you wrote later in the game. It’s a great way to train your ears.
If you feel like nothing is happening, be patient. Sometimes, it helps to worship or get into His Word for a while. This can calm any clutter that might be distracting you. The main thing is connection, which means seeking Him instead of the experience. When you connect to God, you will have experiences unlike any other.
In a nutshell, walking by perfect faith looks like communion or fellowship with God. As we connect with Him, we find dialogue taking place. That means listening as well as speaking. It’s all about relationship. Because He loves you and desires that relationship with you, perfect faith is available to you!
