Having long since understood that the modern day “Faith Movement” healing and prosperity message was a modern day perversion of God’s Word, it is yet difficult to see its insidious tentacles continuing to invade the minds of sincere seekers of God. It’s nothing more than psychology or having faith in faith. But faith in your faith is no faith at all. Many have not come into the true knowledge and revelation of God’s Salvation Plan. That being the knowledge that Christ, through His substitutionary sacrifice, has on the one merciful and loving hand saved us from the consequence of our past inherent disqualifying sin (Romans 5:12) and granted us the gift of eternal life (Romans 5:21), while on the other just and holy hand, has laid out in Scripture the potential or possibility for eternal glory for those who then overcome their present sinful nature Revelation chapters 1-3). See Exodus 29:4 with 30:19-21 in the light of John 13 where Christ then washes the feet of His Disciples. John 13 is one of the emblematic examples of this necessary spiritual duality in the washing of a man’s soul, these together being the fullness of God’s Salvation plan. It is His intended purpose for each individual saved…. (1) in that the one who has been immersed in the regeneration waters of eternal life, then has no need to be immersed again, for once he is fully cleansed in regeneration of the spirit, then (2) he needs the further ongoing washing of the feet which represents the inescapable soiling of the “dust” of this corrupting World. The Truth set forth in Scripture is that the immersion of the spirit with the receiving of Christ’s Righteousness as our own, with the promise of eternal life, is that one-time cleansing (once and for all). But in our covenant emersion in newness of life (typing resurrection), there follows Christ’s command for ongoing cleansings through repentance unto overcoming in the Spirit the soiling of our feet as we walk in the world. That then is the process unto holiness if we are to have any part in His glory– filled kingdom.  

So it is, the mature are humbly grateful in the full knowledge and revelation of those two parts of Christ’s Atonement; that is the all inclusive gift of eternal life part (justification) and the exclusive promised prize of eternal glory in His Kingdom part (our sanctification) . The basis for our cleansing repentance is in that (1) we acknowledge our ongoing sins as being contrary to His Will and Word and know these would otherwise disqualify us from His promised inheritance as an Overcomer (Revelation 1-3), and (2) and that we might thereby draw upon that grace (the gift of power of the Spirit) to overcome the old nature and the wiles of the enemy of our soul unto a part in His Kingdom. (He dealt with our sin and we deal with/overcome our sin nature. Eternal life is all inclusive to believers while eternal glory is exclusive to only the overcoming/fruit-bearing believer.)  

The “Faith Movement” messages (like many ancient false sister–like messages) would have us to believe, contrary to Christ’s Words that we have no practical need of any further cleansing on earth as it relates to our afterlife. Having received the immersion into Christ, they say that we are thereby guaranteed recipients of all His eternal promises. Although these “faith” messengers might talk about a sinless life, and project a life of holiness, it is nonetheless taught as an already assured glory-filled heavenly inheritance, as everything necessary or needed is imputed in the Righteousness of Jesus Christ. So thus their message becomes one that has all to do with an earthly inheritance while living here, and also ensuring they have already obtained all that Christ has wrought and promised the “believer’” as their rights, in the after life as well. And therefore, they say we should claim and lay hold of those “faith promises” in the here and now! Thus they destructively redirect a Christian’s focus entirely upon an inheritance in earthly things. They say that as God’s Will, the so called “Rights of the Believer” in Christ are success and physical health, (and abundant wealth being the main thrust of their doctrines). With “positive confession” and tithing/ “giving and receiving” being key essentials in the realizing of God’s desired intent for all “believers” in Christ.  

REDEFINING FAITH 

Faith being the shield, it must first be attacked…. 

“Positive” confession being faith’s essential is one of its clear tentacles. Confession or speaking and thinking on the “positive” is to reject the “negatives”, as they are interpreted as faith–stealing doubts. Positive thoughts and words at the exclusion of negative thoughts and words, has been equated as faith. So then truth, and what is just, and what is pure, and what is honest is seen and offered in the same dark light. The Word does not advocate “positive”. It’s similar to the idea of of a Judge never convicting criminals, desiring always to be positive. These leaders teach God’s Word “to fill your mind with positive / successful thoughts” and words to make one successful. To take a few “positive” Scriptures that may be quoted to affirm their desired will is but self-delusional. The terms positive and negative are wholly inappropriate terms when we are dealing with God’s Will and Word that deals with promises and warnings and judgments and approved faith. The result of accepting these doctrines as Scripturally sound is the narrowing and restricting of God in His intent to discipline and conform us into His sons. As God’s Word is full of “negative” rebukes, and threats of judgment.  As foundational to positive confession, is the belief that there is power inherent within the words that causes whatever one says to come to pass, therefore one must be very careful to say only positive things. It is SELF-healing. You get what you say, or “confession brings possession”. While some of what they teach is based on Truth, remember that rat poison is mostly food but poison kills, no matter how subtle. Satan’s deceptions are not always obvious, for he is skilled at twisting scripture to deceive. A rat would reject the poison if it was not mostly food in it. 

The Faith and Positive Confession Movement’s doctrines or ideas have pervaded many Christian denominations. That is the idea that it is Scripturally wrong for Christians to have sickness and disease in their bodies, as it is not the Father’s Will that any should be sick or die of disease, as sickness has no right or place in the Body of Christ. And the doctrine goes on to say if we have “faith” we are healed. And that to be in faith, we must believe and confess we are healed, even when we are sick. What is the issue with God? First our focus should not be upon the earthly, that which is temporal. We are not to rule in this life, but to be subject to the rulers (2nd Corinthians). We are but sojourners not residents. Secondly, His Word declares we must suffer for righteousness (ours) sake in this life if we are to inherit in the Kingdom of His Son. But they conveniently ignore scriptures like 2nd Timothy 2:12 which says, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him…” And 2nd Timothy 3:12 which says, “…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” And Acts 14:22, “….we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” And James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this; the trying of your faith worth patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” This goes against the teaching that every bad thing must be the devil and every “good” thing must be God. (See also Deuteronomy 32:39 and 1st Samuel 2:5 where God says that He both kills and makes alive.) 

One great core issue then is the leading of the heart, where is our focus? We are to “seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” When we hunger and thirst after righteousness instead of after prosperity, and when we put holiness ahead of healing, then surely our heart is focused upon the weightier matters. The weightier is the inheritance in the kingdom of Christ based upon worthiness worked out in this life. (2nd Thessalonians 1:4-5: “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.”)  

Gifts of the Spirit speak to the full immersion of regeneration, whereas fruits speak to the “repentance washing” of the feet in holiness. Charles Spurgeon said, “…the power lies in the grace of God, and not in our faith. You must look away from your own looking and see nothing but Jesus and the grace of God revealed in Him.” There is a deeper purpose that God would work in our souls than miracles can produce. FAITH has a far more worthy object in view than the acquisition of some material or physical thing. And often the mis–focused desire for healing or happiness can stand in the way of the very loving purpose for which we are sick or discomforted. There might be some critical repentance ignored, a “crucifixion” of our close association with the world in our heart that obstructs/hinders our way into His inheritance. And left unchecked, it will surely disqualify us, the cause of our condition (“…the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life…”) being a result of our continued refusal to self-denial and servanthood, those to which if we would yield in loving faith, would hold the promise of the first resurrection out from among the dead. 

Oswald Chambers warns: “We are apt to imagine that if Jesus Christ constrains us, and we obey Him, He will lead us to great success. We must never put our dreams of success as God’s purpose for us; His purpose may be exactly the opposite….His purpose is that I depend upon Him and on His power now.…if we realize that obedience is the end, then each moment as it comes is precious.” 

Peter spoke of tested faith. “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. That the trial of your faith being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it (our faith) be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ….receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” [1st Peter 1:6-7, 9]  To what does this speak, if not to our personal challenges to remain lovingly and faithfully obedient in the face of continued and appointed sufferings and tests? Is this not what approved faith is? It sees God’s Salvation plan in His designed will to mold saved men into loving first-born sons through willingly submitting to flesh’s suffering, yet praises and honors God in His Majesty while submitting to His Holy Will. This is the meaning of, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” [Hebrews 10:38] 

It is not that God makes us beautifully rounded grapes, but that we submit to Him to squeeze the worldliness from our souls in loving obedience to Christ. It is only by this means that the fruit of the Spirit comes forth. (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance.) True Faith/trust in God is a result of loving relationship. Faith/trust comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17), but “hearing” comes by revelation of Him. Knowledge of Him, hearing His Word alone does not equate to loving faith. Knowledge with revelation of Him is the source of loving faith/trust in Him. We say “loving” faith because His Word is that acceptable faith must be energized by love (Galatians 5:6), and what faith without love we might have would account for us nothing. Just as I persist to speak with tongues but have not love, I shall be like but a clanging noise (1st Corinthians 13:1–2). To continue to say “I am healed” in presumed “faith” is the equivalent of unloving mechanical habitual prayer in tongues.  

“Now faith is the substance (confidence) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In Scriptural context, “faith” is the God–pleasing patient confidence of those who suffered afflictions, appointed by God’s will, joyfully. (Hebrews 10:19-11:1) They were encouraged to remain faithful in those trials, under threat of losing the promise, until they had accomplished God’s purpose for them. And pleasing patient confidence was behind all the actions of those who were persuaded by the promises of God, though they received them not while alive on the earth (Hebrews 11:13). Pleasing Faith is not receiving, it is patiently enduring. Christ said “Have faith in God.” (Mark 11:22) Faith is not a demand upon God, but in God. Faith in God does not have a spiritual “law” in view that might activate God, but faith has obedience unto deeper relationship with God in view. God uses circumstances to develop that measure of faith that accompanies regeneration. Faith with love increases, decreases, it can be shipwrecked, lost, found, and refined. God answers prayer not because you have exercised faith, that is to say pushed the right button, but because of His sovereignty, wisdom, and loving mercy. God is not compelled to act because of some so called faith law, or some tangible molecular substance developed within you that is released by your mouth in word capsules. Nor can He be manipulated by His created beings through mental processes or any other conjuring device.  

God’s Salvation process (that is to say the washing of our feet) has His sharing His Eternal Glory with man in view (Hebrews 12:10). Jude’s “…contend earnestly for the faith….” has these emissaries of Satan in view, who have the disruptive intent of short-circuiting God’s sanctifying plan. They do this by corrupting, counterfeit “faith” doctrines, developed by misconstruing Scriptures and emphasizing material comforts and attainments (Luke 4:1-13). Health and success is the mantra of the World. Its leaven permeats the Christian community. Cross– bearing sufferings in humility are out. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that HE might exalt you at the proper time.” [1st Peter 5:6] Advancement of self is in.  It’s getting God to bless our plans as opposed to surrendering to His Will. If we are not surrendered to God’s Will, then we perceive “faith” as a means by which we get the answer to our prayer. And if the answer of our prayer is not forth-coming, we question our “faith”. And we strive to overcome any doubt by absorbing more Word, casting down any “negative” thoughts, and praying more earnestly. Trying to acquire this kind of “faith” is causing us to underscore what is untrue that we have already wrongly believed. This is to say, nothing is more destructive to true faith than our continued attempt to create a mental attitude of “believing.” Doubt cannot but help follow a belief based upon a false doctrine represented as His Word, and shall always rule in this continued environment. It is this very “doubt” that would affect a change in our thinking and direct us back to His sanctifying Truth in His Word. But every time a sanctifying Word would fight itself into our minds, we identify it as a “high imagination” or a “negative” thought associated with doubt and we cast it down, and replace it with a positive thought of a religious affirmation. The question at this point should be: Do I want God to bless my plan? (passed off as faithfulness to God) Or do I want Him to use my circumstances to work out His plan for my soul’s salvation?   

A Bible teacher of the early part of the last century wrote: “Faith can be analyzed as including (1) renunciation of self; (2) reliance on God. Theses two aspects sum up its meaning.  Faith implies the cessation of self-dependence and the commencement of dependence upon another.”      

Signs and Wonders, Healing Miracles are sought by and emphasized by many modern–day Christians as lost essentials to the Church due to lack of “faith”. They contend that the Church of Acts should be the norm for today. That miracles are conducive to justifying (immersion) faith is not questioned. Nor that God does miracles today to confirm His Word to unbelievers. Certainly signs and wondrous miracles serve as God’s calling card. But for what intent? Not that people would merely believe, but that they would allow the Word of God to bring them into deeper relationship. Miracles, will not cause us to love God or submit to His Will (often they inspire the opposite effect. See John 6:15), miracles do not work Covenant relationship out in our hearts. The Israelites coming out of Egypt are clear examples of that. The Gifts are presented to us by Paul as childish things. That is that they are inferior in bringing about spiritual maturity, and is seeing through a glass darkly. Whereas the exercising of love has hope and promise of the excellent way unto maturity into becoming a man, a man of God. Like God’s Love is overemphasized at the expense of His Severity, so are the gifts of the Spirit at the expense of the fruit of the Spirit.  The faith God is looking for has sanctifying power. That is the deep conviction that will cause us to willingly and ever increasingly surrender our will to His. Bluntly, the “Faith” of the Faith Movement (that has permeated much of Christianity today) is “Lord, what is in it for me?” 

Again Oswald Chambers quotes Jeremiah 45:5, “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not….” Then Chambers goes on to say: “There is nothing easier than getting into a right relationship with God except when it is not God whom you want but only what He gives. If you have only come the length of asking God for things, you have never come the first strand of abandonment, you have become a Christian from a standpoint of your own. God puts His finger on the reason—you are not seeking the Lord at all, you are seeking something for yourself.” 

THE CHURCH CAN NOT BE WITHOUT THE SUPERNATURAL  

The problem for Christians is the misunderstanding of miraculous work. The New Covenant Command of Christ is to be filled with the Holy Spirit, which is to be led by the spirit of Christ. The effective Work of the gift of power of the Holy Spirit upon the yielded soul to the Father’s Will, is not so glamorous to the unspiritual eye as the healing of cancer is. But it is far greater in the Eye of God. This is not to take away the significance of the manifest gifts of the Spirit, as surely He exhibits them according to His purposes, but to show that the lack of these gifts in the Church does not in anyway inhibit the current Miraculous Work God is performing inside the Body of Christ in any way. On the contrary, true God-like sanctifying faith, that of blessed faith without seeing, is advanced (John 20:29). 

David said: “Yea, though I walk through the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” 

Oswald Chambers wrote: “Beware of any belief that makes you self indulgent; It came from the pit, no matter how beautiful it sounds.”…..“We grow strong in trial; therefore we must be careful that the counsel and help given will bring the person through the trial of his faith with his roots deepened in Christ, rather than enable him to escape the very challenges that God intends for his good.”Another Christian author wrote: “It’s too glorious to be easy.”And another Christian wrote: “Sometimes instead of gushy affirmation, people need to be helped to face up to reality. At times true love will give not saccharin, but shock treatment.” 

Another wrote: “Go to any bookstore and count the number of books dealing with human hurts—such as depression, fear, rejection, divorce, remarriage, loneliness, etc. Attend nearly any seminar or crusade, and you will hear much insight on how to cope with personal pain and distress. Yet how little is written or taught about sharing the sufferings of Jesus Christ, the Lord.” 

It is Scriptural to pray for healing and hope for it, and if we have committed any sins to be forgiven. But to question whether you will be healed is not doubt but the real possibility that tends to focus us on the most important issue; the heart issue.  What will we take with us when we stand before God? What will we have to lay at His feet?