​Chapter 4: Faith towards God

​By Pastor Timothy Grant Carter

​I’m continuing the review of my friend Jeff Brown’s Discipleship book, Foundations: Creating A Hebrews 6 Disciple. This is more than a simple favor; it’s a deep assessment of my own discipleship training tools, means, and plans. And so I am…

​The Essential Foundations We’ve Covered

​In our initial reviews, we first covered the critical need for discipleship and the necessity of approaching it with all our heart. Secondly, we discussed the right foundation for discipleship, noting how Hebrews 6 is a good framework for study, and how knowing Jesus is the only true beginning!

​Thirdly, we talked about who Jesus is as God and debunked some of the false claims about whom He is not. Fourthly, we looked at how repentance is the only scriptural, springboard launchpad for discipleship.

​Faith: The Guaranteed Spiritual Growth Fuel

​And so now as we leap from the catalyst of repentance, we move ahead with the only guaranteed Spiritual growth fuel: faith.

​After repentance helps us turn away from the death-inducer of sin, it must be that something helps us turn to the elixir of new life. Faith alone can do that. Developing faith is a true theological necessity. Some things you can ponder and question for your whole Christian life, but faith is a requirement from the beginning. No faith? No spiritual life or growth!

​Understanding the “Measure” of Faith

​Jeff points out that each believer is “given” a measure of faith! (\text{Ro. 12:3}) So why should we “work on” that which is provided as a free gift? Jeff wisely points to that word “measure.” We are given a “measure.”

​Like most passages aptly interpreted, there are other passages to balance it with that increase our light and understanding. In this understanding, let us also look at Hebrews 12:1 & 2, which calls Jesus both The Author and Perfecter of our faith. So obviously—if The Lord is progressively “perfecting” our Faith—it is a work in process.

​Working on Faith: The Living Word

​So how do we “work” on faith? Romans 10:17 announces that hearing the Word is the source of faith.

​You get the picture that it is an active and alive Word that gives and builds faith. In another verse, the Scripture declares, “He took His word and healed them.” You get the vision that the true “Rhema” word works more in our hearts than just sitting on the page.

​Part of discipleship is working on learning The Living Word—a Living Word that is all the while working on changing you and I. “Faith comes from hearing and hearing by The Word of God.” (\text{Ro. 10:17})

​The 5 Actions to Grow Faith

​Jeff then makes known 5 things we must do to continue to grow our faith:

• ​Confess
• ​Believe
• ​Act
• ​Persist
• ​Pray

​Of course, each one of these deserves its own attention in the pursuit of discipleship.

​A Critical Note on The Holy Spirit

​Jeff indicates how The Baptism in The Holy Spirit is needed to continue to grow in our faith life. But since this is not specifically covered in Hebrews 6, and yet is imperative and critical to learn discipleship and sustain Spiritual growth, I think The Agency, Personality, and Operation of The Holy Spirit needs its own chapter, not just a mention here.

​Chapter 4: A Powerful Revealer

​Overall, chapter 4 is a powerful revealer that faith is both:

A) The only way to follow up on repentance.

B) The only avenue to birth a strong Spiritual life.

​P.S. You better believe I’m working on making my own course for Sawyersville Church out of this. 😉