Faith Is A Noun: "The Prayer Of Faith"

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray our him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." (James 5:14-15).


Hello To All:

Near the beginning of last year, my wife and I were invited to join a couples Bible study group. We typically meet on Sunday evenings for a time of fellowship in Jesus Christ and a time of study of His Book - The Bible. At that first session, as there were some participants who were strangers to us, we were asked to introduce ourselves.

When the time came for my turn, I made some statements about who I am; and then, compelled by The Spirit of God, I made this statement: "If I tell you all of my stories, you just might decide that I am a crazy old guy." So far, they continue to welcome me; and they continue to love me as a brother in Christ Jesus. Thank you Jesus.

My beloved brethren, this brief introduction to this letter (this is posting #140), is intended to prepare you for the possibility that, after reading all of this letter, you might just decide that: I am a crazy old guy. And, quite frankly, I am alright with that.

After over a decade of posting letters, on this web site, I have often been reminded that my job does not involve me trying to convince you of the truth. My task is to be faithful to being one of God's ordained messengers. Part of God's work, in His creation, as He works through His Spirit, is to guide us "into all truth." (John 16:13). My job is to deliver the message that He has guided me to; and, if in the reading of the message, you feel like calling me a crazy old guy; again let me say that I am alright with that; and I will forgive you, just as Christ Jesus forgives me!

Our opening text comes from a portion of the letter from James, that gives us deep insight into the relationship between the sick amongst us, the  elders of His church: The Body Of Christ, and the willingness of our Lord Jesus Christ to heal the sick amongst us!

As we work our way towards a deeper understanding of this relationship; it is probable, that I will be compelled to make statements that will not be appreciated by certain segments of the world wide Christian community. I ask only two things: will you please pause before rushing to judgement and labeling me a crazy old guy? And, in that pause, will you take the time to listen to the still small voice of The Spirit of God, as He seeks to guide you into all truth?

A critical part of a right understanding of God's provision for the healing of the sick among us, is the right understanding of who qualifies to be "the elders of the church." There is a great deal of confusion; and a broad range of perspective regarding what it means to be an elder. Some assemblies elect their elders. Some assemblies appoint their elders. Some assemblies ordain their elders. Some assemblies embrace a combination of these practices.

As we consider these methods of becoming an elder, we need to ask ourselves these questions: From where or from whom does the elected elder derive their authority? From where or from whom does the appointed elder derive their authority? From where or from whom does the ordained elder derive their authority?

If we are going to rightly answer these questions, we must begin by going back to the beginning of our creation. (Please take a close look at Genesis, chapters 1-3)? When God proclaimed (Genesis 1:31), that: "it is very good," - He was also including the creation of man in that proclamation of being "very good."

After the creation was identified as being "very good," God placed Adam in a very specific place in His creation; and He gave Adam certain responsibilities. We find the following written at Genesis 2:15-17:

15.  "And the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."
16.  "And the Lord God commanded the man saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely    
 eat:"
17.  "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou          eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."

At this point in Adam's life journey, he still had the status of being the image of God (Genesis 1:26); and he still had the status of being, "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Thus, it should be rightly understood that Adam had the moral authority to care for the garden of Eden; and he also had the moral authority to obey God's command regarding the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." At this point, in his life journey, Adam was sinless and the only voice he heard  and obeyed, was God's voice.

But things changed. Adam listened to other voices. He turned his back on the moral authority that comes from our Creator. In taking this step, Adam placed himself in a position where he was now willing to listen to the counsel of other voices.  Prior to taking this step, Adam had the authority to rebuke the serpent and to keep Eve from eating the fruit of "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." When Adam listened to a voice and obeyed a voice, that was not God's voice, he lost the fullness of the moral authority that was his, by virtue of his Creator's authority bestowed upon him. 

It is very probable, that at this point in this posting, some of you are wondering if maybe this elder is just: "a crazy old guy." I will grant you that the previous two paragraphs might be presenting a perspective that you have not given any consideration too, prior to this posting. I ask that you bear with me and let us together see if this elder is, indeed, sharing the truth with you, my beloved brethren.

Let us continue this journey to truth, by looking at a portion of Eve's response to the serpent: "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." (Genesis 3:3).

As one of God's ordained messengers, this elder has a deep level of appreciation of the dangers of saying "God said," when in fact He didn't say what it is claimed that He said. Eve makes the statement that: "God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die." When did God say: "neither shall ye touch it?" When God gave the commandment to Adam, nothing was said about touching the fruit. Eve's knowledge of the commandment had to come from Adam. God put Adam in the garden to: "dress it and to keep it." (Genesis 2:15). It should be rightly understood that part of Adam's responsibility to "dress it and to keep it," would have been properly informing Eve, regarding God's commandment, regarding the garden.

The King's Book tells us that: "by one man sin entered into the world," (Romans 5:12); "For since by man came death," (1 Corinthians 15:21); "For as in Adam all die," (1 Corinthians 15:22); "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners," (Romans 5:19).

Eve was the first to eat of the forbidden fruit: "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food"..."she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat," (Genesis 3:6). Since Eve was the first to eat, why does the inspired scripture take the position that sin entered the world through Adam?

The only source that Eve had, regarding the commandment: "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die," was Adam. The commandment was given to him; and he was given authority over the garden and all in it. Something happened between the time that God gave the commandment to Adam and the time that Adam informed Eve about the commandment. The question is: what happened?

The only way we can answer this question, is by being willing to take a deep look into the mystery of man's ability to choose good; and man's ability to choose evil. The fact that Adam was given a commandment, directs us to the truth that Adam had the capacity to either obey the commandment or to  disobey the commandment. Even with his status of being sinless and being declared to be "very good," he had the capacity to disobey God.

As we ask and seek to answer the question: "what happened," we must also ask the question: how did Satan get access to the garden? The answer is the same for both questions. When Adam informed eve regarding the commandment - Adam lied! Did Adam intend to lie? Only God can answer that question with any degree of certainty. Nonetheless, the Spirit directed logic of the sequence of events compels me to believe that Adam told Eve not to touch the fruit. In this he lied!

Perhaps, in his zeal to protect Eve, and insure obedience to God's commandment, he took this extra step and added to God's commandment. But, in his zeal, as he listened to his own voice, he sinned. Adding to God's word or taking away from God's word is a sin; and should rightly be understood as being a lie. This is the sin that lead to Adam's fall; and this is the sin that gave the evil one access to the garden!

Jesus reminds us (John 8:44) that: ..."the devil"..."When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." Because both Adam and Eve embraced this lie, their ability to resist the devil and his lies was diminished; and the result was their eating of the forbidden fruit. Sin entered the world because Adam's lie diminished his capacity to obey God!

Now, the question needs to be asked: how does this relate to our opening text and the prayer of faith? When God placed Adam in the garden (which God had created) He gave Adam a job and He gave Adam a commandment. In this, God ordained Adam for a certain purpose and God equipped Adam with the authority to fulfill this purpose. With this perspective, it should be rightly understood that Adam was the first ordained elder!

Adam was not elected to his position by a group of like minded people. Adam was not appointed to his position by a group of like minded people. Adam was ordained to his position by our Creator! As the first ordained elder in God's plan for His creation; we find, in Adam, the example of what an ordained elder should be; and we also find an example of what an ordained elder should not be!

Now I speak to all rightly ordained elders. In Christ Jesus, we are brothers. In Christ Jesus, we are given the task, with regards to His church: the body of Christ, "to dress it and to keep it." In Christ Jesus, we are empowered to listen to the voice of God; and we are empowered to obey the voice of God. 

My brothers, the question before us this: Are we, as ordained elders, listening to any other voices? Is our focus exclusively on Christ Jesus; or are we distracted by competing allegiances to other entities? 

I am reminded of a conversation with a pastor friend of mine. He was concerned about some things his institution/denomination was doing. I suggested that he express his concerns to the leadership. His response has stayed with me all of these years. To the best of my recollection, this is what he said: "I must be careful about what I say, because they control my future." 

Adam listened to his own voice and he sinned. If, as ordained elders, we are to be successful in praying, "the prayer of faith," - then, let it be understood, that the only voice we obey is God's voice! Our future, rightly understood, is in the hands of our Creator: Jesus Christ!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,

Elder Theophilus

Faith Is A Noun: "Our Faith" - The Evidence.

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4).

Hello To All:

We began this series of postings titled - "Faith Is A Noun" - in July of 2019. It has become very apparent to me, that our Lord Jesus Christ, wants to take us deeper into our understanding of our faith; as well as taking us deeper into our application of our faith; as well as taking us deeper into our dependency upon this great gift of our faith. Let us be reminded that we are called to: "walk by faith and not by sight."

The primary purpose of this forum is too: Promote and encourage "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ." Please note that our opening text references: "The VICTORY  that overcometh the world, even our FAITH. Victory and faith have been capitalized for emphasis; and hopefully this emphasis will help to get our attention focused on who we are in Christ Jesus. In Christ Jesus, we can have victory!

How often have we sought victory; only, seemingly, to be denied? How often have we wondered why victory seems, seemingly, to be so difficult to achieve? How often, in the midst of our difficulties, have we wondered if God has abandoned us? The truth is that Jesus Christ has not abandoned us nor has He forsaken us. The problem is not with God; rather, the problem is with us and our limited understanding of the "victory" that we can have in and through Jesus Christ.

All who look to Jesus Christ for salvation, are also the ones who are "born of God," (please see series of letters titled: "Am I Born Again" - with a beginning date of 5/17/2012).  And, as our opening text clearly states: "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world." Can we say thank you Jesus? Amen and Amen and Amen!

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world." This is an absolute proclamation of the absolute victory, that is the potential for everyone who is born of God. If we as believers in Jesus Christ, fall short of this promise of victory, then we need to examine ourselves to find the reason for the deficiency. The deficiency is not with our Lord Jesus Christ; rather, we who are born of God, are falling short of the fullness of the potential that Jesus Christ offers us; and is very willing to provide for us - so that we might have the victory that He has won for us! In Christ Jesus we can have victory!

All too often we are trapped into focusing on our apparent deficiencies. Because we have fallen short of the victory that we seek, we become convinced that there is something wrong with ourselves. And, the truth is, is that there is something wrong; but, the wrongness is not because we are lacking something; the wrongness is because we fall short of understanding the fullness of our identity in Christ Jesus. And, in this sense, we do lack something! The something that we lack is the absolute understanding of who we are in Christ Jesus!

Our opening text reminds us that: "whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world." The next verse (1 John 5:5), presents us with a question with the included answer:

"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Verse 4 tells us that "our faith" - "is the victory that overcometh the world." Verse 5 tells us that "he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God" - "is he that overcometh the world." Are we seeing the connection between believing that Jesus is the Son of God and "our faith." The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God, has a faith that is sufficient to "overcometh the world." This sufficient faith that is the result of believing that Jesus is the Son of God, has the potential, in Christ Jesus, to give us the victory, in all of life's circumstances! This is an essential part of our understanding of our identity in Christ Jesus.  In Christ Jesus we have a faith that is sufficient to bring us the "victory."


Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

Faith Is A Noun: "Great Faith

"When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." (Matthew 8:10)

Hello To All:

When approaching the King's Book (the Bible); and when seeking the revelation of the truth that it contains: one of the essential principals, that must always be embraced, is this: Context is everything! It is when a text is pulled from its context, that we often get into trouble, regarding the truth of the text.

Our opening verse, from Matthew 8:10, is a good example of such a text. As we look at the verse, in its stand alone condition, we might be inclined to think that there are different kinds of faith. Clearly our Lord Jesus Christ makes reference to a faith that is spoken of as a "great faith." Does this then mean that there is a faith that is less than great? Or does this mean that there is a faith that is not great at all? Clearly there are opportunities for confusion, as we seek to comprehend the truth of this stand alone text!

Throughout the letters/postings of this site (this is posting #138), one of the recurring themes, is that every person who is able to identify, that the reality of who they are is Christian; is also a person who can have the confidence of knowing, that the faith that they have - this faith that we whose lives belong to Jesus of Nazareth - this faith that brings us eternal life: this faith, that we have, is the faith that is sufficient to move mountains!

Having often referenced the truth that we all have the gift of faith; it should be noted that the Apostle Paul makes reference to a gift of faith, amongst the list of the various gifts that the Spirit of God gives to the church (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).  This Elder cannot make any claim to having a complete and full understanding of every portion of the King's Book. At this point in my journey with Jesus Christ, I must confess that I do not know what Paul is saying to the church when he writes: "To another faith by the same Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:9).

But, without hesitation, I embrace the faith that is common to all believers: the faith that is sufficient to move mountains - the faith that is a gift to me (and every believer),  from Jesus of Nazareth!

The time is at hand to put our opening text back into its full context. We find the following written at Matthew 8:5-11:

 5. "And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,"
 6. "And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented."
 7. "And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
 8. "The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof:        
       but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed."
 9. "For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this man, Go, and he
      goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it."
10. "When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have
        not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

As we look at these 6 verses, the question we must ask is this: When Jesus makes the statement - "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" - Is He referencing the faith of the centurion? - Or, is He referencing the centurion's response to his faith?

This Elder, is compelled to take the position, that Jesus is referring to the centurion's response to his faith. We can see the validity of this position, by first looking to verses 8 and 9. We should see, in these two verses, the centurion's testimony regarding his absolute recognition of; and his absolute
submission to: the absolute authority of Jesus Christ!

We find further evidence of this position at verse 10, where we find written: "When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed." What is it that Jesus heard? It was the testimony of the centurion. This testimony should be rightly understood as his response to his faith.

This position is also evidenced at verse 13, where we find written: "And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour." Believing is a verb; and believing is made possible by faith that is a noun.
Believing is our response to the gift of faith. The centurion's response was called great because of his absolute submission to the authority of Jesus Christ. It was the greatness of his believing, that caused Jesus to marvel at "so great faith."

The question, that we now need to ask, is this: When Jesus "marveled" at "so great faith," was this the reason that the centurion's servant was healed? Another question, that should be asked, is this: If we are to be healed from our sicknesses and infirmities, do we also need Jesus to marvel at "so great faith?"

By returning to the importance of context, we will find our answers. Earlier, in chapter 8 of Matthew's gospel account, we find another instance of healing recorded. We find written at Matthew 8:2-3, the following:

2. "And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make
     me clean."
3. "And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his
      leprosy was cleansed."

First, we must understand, with absolute certainty, that the faith of the leper was sufficient for his healing! Just as the faith of the centurion was sufficient for the healing of his servant! But, the faith of the leper was not proclaimed, by Jesus, as "so great faith." Jesus "marveled" only at the centurion and not at the leper. Why the difference?

Both the leper and the centurion had an absolute understanding regarding the authority of Jesus Christ. They both believed that Jesus was and is capable of healing; and they both found the healing that they were seeking. But, they each had vastly different responses to their individual faith. The centurion was fully committed to Jesus and His authority. The leper was not as fully committed; he held back by first saying: "If thou wilt?"

Throughout the gospel accounts, everyone who came to Jesus for healing - was healed! Let it be stated again: Everyone who came to Jesus to be healed - was healed! The faith that they had, in every instance, was sufficient! We must also understand that our faith, even though it may not warrant the reference of being "so great faith," is also sufficient for healing! Why then,  are so many of us not being healed?

Even though, the leper was tentative in his approach to Jesus; he was still healed! Why was the tentative approach of the leper, to Jesus, successful? - when our tentative approaches, to Jesus, most often do not find success. How often do we pray and wonder why there seems to be no answer? The leper said - "if thou wilt" - and was healed. We say - if thou wilt - and most of the time, we find nothing. What is the difference between the leper and ourselves? Why was the leper successful in his approach to Jesus; whereas, we, His present day followers, find it so difficult to be healed?

The answer can be found in our understanding of authority; or perhaps in our lack of understanding, regarding authority in our present day assemblies; and in our lack of understanding, regarding authority in our present day relationships with Jesus Christ.

The leper's tentative response to the authority of Jesus Christ, did not diminish the sufficiency of his faith; and he was healed! The centurion's absolute response to the absolute authority of Jesus Christ, did not diminish the sufficiency of his faith and his servant was healed. If our faith has the same sufficiency as the faith of the leper; and the same sufficiency as the faith of the centurion: why, then, do we find it so difficult to find the victory that is possible through Jesus Christ?

Throughout the letters posted on this site, the reality of authority is often examined. The leper and the centurion were not compromised, in any way, regarding their understanding of and their submission to the absolute authority of Jesus Christ. While it is true that the leper was tentative in his approach; it is also true that he was not compromised in his approach to Jesus Christ and His authority.

When the elders of Israel approached Samuel (please see series of letters beginning with: "Make Us A King To Judge Us" - with a starting date of 5/7/2015); and asked Samuel to "make us a king to judge us, like all the nations," their submission to the absolute authority of God became compromised. Most of us are in the same position as those ancient elders of Israel: our absolute submission to the absolute authority of Jesus Christ has become compromised because of our divided loyalties.

Our God, The One and The True and The Living God, is also a jealous God. When our loyalties are divided, He will not receive all of the glory that He is entitled to. If we have bowed the knee to some other authority, and thus, have divided our loyalties, we cannot expect that our Lord Jesus Christ will bring victory into our lives. If our tentative "if thou wilt," is because of divided loyalties: we shall not find the healing that the leper did.

Our faith is still sufficient, even with divided loyalties; but our ability to respond to our faith, as the leper and the centurion responded is compromised because of our divided loyalties! We are robbed of victory because of our confusion over authority. Jesus of Nazareth is our King and He will not share the throne with anyone or anything.

My beloved brethren, this Elder is not in a position to tell you what specific compromises that you might have made in your journey with Jesus Christ. Whatever divided loyalties that are part of your life, can only be revealed to you by the Spirit of God. You must do, as I do; together we ask our Lord Jesus Christ to show us where we have bowed the knee to someone else or to something else, other than exclusively to Him! Then, once we recognize our compromise, we must repent of it and ask for forgiveness; and then with Jesus Christ, we move into a place of "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ."

Until next time, my beloved brethren, I continue to be:

Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

Faith Is A Noun: "O ye of little faith."

"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

Hello To All:

Thinking that I had a right understanding of what this posting was going to be, I started writing it back in September of last year (2019). I was certain that it was going to be part 3 of "Faith Is A Noun." The title and the text from the King's Book was written down; and then, nothing more. Months have passed, as I continued to wait on our Lord Jesus Christ, for the revelation that would open my mind to the truth that would be set forth in this next posting. I waited and prayed and studied and prayed some more; and the words did not come! When the revelation did come, the title changed from part 3 too: "O ye of little faith."

Whatever part 3 is destined to be; it will have to wait for another day. Our Lord Jesus Christ is always full of surprises! For those of you who might be first time visitors to these postings; it might be helpful to your understanding to once again say: If I am not writing, then I am being prepared to write. Sometimes the preparation takes much longer than I expected. This is one of those longer than expected occasions. Thank you Jesus!

Our opening text reminds us that our "faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." My beloved brethren: please be reminded that whatever wisdom that my natural mind might have - it is not of any value to you or to myself! True faith - saving faith - stands "in the power of God" - not "in the wisdom of men." Thank you Jesus!

But, is it not true, that often in our journey of faith, that we come to a point of doubting the sufficiency of our faith. (Please see series of essays titled: "This Elder Has Been A Deceiver," with first posting being 3/25/2014.) Faith, in many ways is a mystery to us; and sometimes the mystery can be better understood by recognizing what confusion can enter into our lives because of our failure to understand the fullness of the reality of saving faith.

Our Lord Jesus Christ wants to shed some light on our confusion by taking us back to some previous postings. We begin with the following:

"O ye of little faith"                                                                                        September 8, 2011

Hello to All:

As we continue on our journey to "Victorious Discipleship In Jesus Christ," we also continue in our examination, of the text from the King's Book, recorded in Matthew, chapter 16 and verses 6 to 12; where we find written (at verse 8): "...when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves...?"

Perhaps, all followers of Jesus Christ, upon reading this text, will immediately think of the times, when they believed that their own "faith," was a "little faith,"similar to that of the disciples; and not sufficient for the challenges at hand. The word "faith," that is translated from the Greek word that refers to the supernatural faith, that comes to us as a gift from The Lord our God, occurs 244 times in the New Testament. It is never spoken of as a faith that is "little." The Greek word, translated as "little faith," occurs only 5 times; and rightly understood, refers to the natural faith, common to all of humanity. Nonetheless, even though this natural faith is common to all men, we, who are followers of Jesus Christ, often turn to (and depend upon), this natural faith; having become convinced that this natural faith, is what Christ Jesus has given to us; and we are confused, because it never seems to be sufficient. It always seems to be a "little faith."

This was the plight of the disciples. Their reaction, to their circumstances, was based on their natural abilities: "they reasoned among themselves." When Jesus rebuked them for their "little faith," He also rebuked them for having "reasoned among themselves." Our natural ability to reason and our natural faith, are both part of our fallen nature; and these abilities will always cause us to fall short of the fullness that our Lord Jesus Christ has for us!

Our natural reason and our natural faith, are almost in continuous use. As we go about our daily activities: we prepare food, we take a journey, we ride a bus, we drive a car, we fly in an airplane, we climb a stairway, we use an elevator, we enter into a marriage, we start a new job, we form a business alliance; and in all of these things, we exercise our natural abilities to reason and to believe. In all of these things, we have an expectation, based upon our natural reason and our natural faith, that our efforts will be successful and that our goals will be achieved. Sometimes our goals are achieved. Sometimes our goals are not achieved. This is the way it is in the natural realms.

Even as Christians, we often fall short of the mark, that true faith should be able to achieve. This happens because we are, seemingly, so very willing to function only as the natural man. We rely on our natural reason and our natural faith. We do not believe. We never recognize, that we have denied ourselves access to the supernatural faith, that Jesus Christ has given to all, who call on Him for salvation. We are rightly rebuked, as being those, to whom our Lord says: "O ye of little faith." We are rightly rebuked, as being amongst those under: "The Oppression of Unbelief." And, because we rarely get beyond our "little faith;" we do not fully use the great gift of faith: The gift that brings us victory; The gift that moves mountains; The gift that raises the dead; The gift that enables us to lay hands on the sick and see them recover; The gift that heals the lame; The gift that brings site to the blind; The gift that preaches to multitudes and sees them converted; The gift that enables us to be: "Victorious Disciples in Jesus Christ."

If we will continue, in our pursuit of Jesus Christ; if we will come to understand that our discipleship is defined by the reality of Jesus Christ in each of us; and each of us in Jesus Christ: then, and only then, can we have the expectation, that the rebuke of a "little faith," and the "oppression of unbelief," will be lifted from us. Can we say Amen and Amen and Amen!

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus

P.S. For additional postings that may be helpful in your journey of faith, please consider the following:

1. "The Oppression of Unbelief" - July 25, 2011.
2. "Beware of the Leaven" - August 27, 2011.
3. "They reasoned among themselves" - August 31, 2011.
4. "Unbelief and Discipleship" - June 17, 2010.

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus