Hello Ivan
IvanOng said:
1) Can anyone here tells me what's the exact definition of the word 'Faith' in christianity?
One has faith when one Believes God.. Note i did not say believe IN God... But i said Believe God. If one believes God then one has trust in Gods words. So faith is both trust and Belief in God and His Word.
2) Can I say the level of Faith towards God in every Christian, determines the chances of God replying his/her prayers?
Yes to an extent
James 1
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
So yes there is no point asking for something if one doubts that God will give it. It is very important to also know that we are just human beings and sometimes we ask for silly things. Things that we do not need, things that would be harmful to our relationship with God. The first thing we must pray for is the wisdom to know what to pray for. Also trusting in the judgement of God allows us to pray to God knowing that if it pleases Him to grant our request it will be done, If our request is not granted then we must trust that God has a good reason to withhold from us what we desire. This is where trust in God is important, we must place that above our own desires and thinking.
3) Is it really true that if a Christian has the PERFECT FAITH - 0 doubt in God, he/she could do ANYTHING that is IMPOSSIBLE? Like what Jesus said, you could even command the mountain to jump into the sea - Is this just an illustration or not?
Thats it. We are Not Perfect... At this time. We look for the second coming of Jesus when all believers will be made perfect by God. I believe what Jesus said that about moving the mountain, but if you read what he said He never said when we would be able to do it. He did not say they could do it at that very moment. They did not have perfect faith because they where not perfect.
4) Is there any question that I could ask myself to know whether I have enough Faith towards God?
6) Currently, I felt that my Faith isn't strong enough. Is there any thing I could do to improve my Faith level other than reading the Bible?
You could pray to God to increase your faith. read this:
Mark 9
20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. 21 So He asked his father, How long has this been happening to him?
And he said, From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. 23 Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things
are possible to him who believes. 24
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!
You can make the same heartfelt plea to God also. To help you have the faith you need. Although it may not be perfect faith it will be enough to sustain you through life. You already have a measure of faith and it is good that you desire to grow in faith. So ask for more faith but do not ask for anything from God with doubt in your mind that God will not hear you. God knows the thoughts of every man and He will hear you and give you what you need.
7) Can I say that the only way for one's Faith to improve, is only through after the miracles he/she seen and after every prayer God answered for him/she? For my case, sometimes God didn't answer my prayer even I prayed it with a right motive and believing that God would help me definitely. This result in my losing of Faith towards God, am I wrong to react like this? Why?
As i have said if one trusts God then it does not matter if they receive what they ask for or they do not receive what they ask for. Those who trust God know that God hears their prayers and that their prayers are considered by God. That is enough for them.
8) If I couldnt receive a gift from God and Im keen in receiving it, should I keep on praying and praying? But if I pray continously, doesn't that shows my lacking of Faith?
If i got a feeling in myself that what i was praying for was not what God wants for me then i would stop asking for it. I know God knows what i want even before i ask for it. God reads my mind and knows all my thoughts i am content to know that God will give me all i need.
1 Timothy 6
6
Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into
this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And
having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and
into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all
kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Food and clothing is all the physical things we need.
9) There are lightning rods installed on every church's rooftop, doesn't that shows lacking of Faith too?
No that is taking precaution. I they did not install the lightning rod would they be putting God to the test?
What if i bought a car but never worried about checking or maintaining the breaks would that be faith or would that be putting God to the test?
We rely on God to save us from unforeseen dangers we rely on Him to intervene when we through lack of knowledge put ourselves into harms way. But to place oneself in harms way intentionally is wrong.. It is like attempted suicide or playing Russian roulette with our lives.
All Praise The Ancient Of Days
