Characteristics of Faith

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John 4:46-54

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman…

I. FAITH IN THREE OF ITS STAGES.

1. When faith begins in a soul it is but as a grain of mustard seed. God's people are babes at first. The first stage of faith is a seeking faith. This faith —

(1) Excites activity. There is no. more idleness in religion. The means of grace are used and the Bible read, etc.

(2) Although weak in some things it gives great power in prayer. How earnest was the nobleman. "Come down," etc. In this stage a man has not power to say, "My sins are forgiven; " to that, Christ can forgive. A thousand difficulties will be surmounted.

(3) It gives importunity in prayer. It will not give over at an apparent rebuff.

(4) This faith can do much, but it makes mistakes. It knows too little. It knows not that Christ can work a miracle without coming down, and expects that Christ will work in its way.

2. In the second stage faith takes Christ at His word, and the believer realizes the happiness of believing. He is saved.

(1) It dares to believe without sensible evidence.

(2) It brings quietness and peace of mind. The nobleman was satisfied and was in no violent hurry to return.

3. Faith blossoms in assurance and usefulness.

(1) Doubts are dispelled.

(2) His household believes. When the Father believes He ought not to rest satisfied until his children are saved.

II. Diseases to which faith is subject.

1. With regard to seeking faith. We are very likely when we are seeking to begin to suspend prayerfulness.

2. Those who are trusting implicitly are in danger of wanting to see signs and wonders. Do not place reliance on anything you have dreamed, or seen, or heard, but on Christ. So many Christians want the signs of a revival in noisy demonstrations and not in God's way.

3. The disease which lies in the way of our attaining full assurance is want of observation. The nobleman made careful inquiries. He that looks for providences will never lack a providence to look at.

III. THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT FAITH.

1. Thou sayest "I have faith." Be it so. Many a man says he has gold, but has it not. Does thy faith make thee pray?

2. Does that faith make thee obedient?

3. Has it led thee to bless thy household?

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