The measure of Faith.....po

The measure of faith ( read patiently )
Romans 12:3 KJV
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every
man that is among you, not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt to every man the measure
of faith.
Faith is a generic word which application differs
throughout the scriptures .
A preacher must not just be sound in his interpretation
of scriptures but must also be seen as sound
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth.
The rule of bible interpretation demands amongst many
others the basic requirement to examine terms in
context .
It means to study the pretext and post text and also
similar texts and consequently view the text or better
still in context .
Also ,the use of corroboration is vital
2 Corinthians 13:1 KJV
[1] This is the third time I am coming to you. In the
mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be
established.
Witness here deals with relevance .
its critical .
Bible explanation is establishing truth within the
confines of ONLY what is written .
Acts 17:11-12 KJV
[11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica,
in that they received the word with all readiness of
mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those
things were so.
[12] Therefore many of them believed; also of
honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not
a few.
I have observed that many teach the subject faith
without the observing these realities .
Back to our text
Romans 12:3 KJV
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every
man that is among you, not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt to every man the measure
of faith.
To ignore the post and pretext sure robs the text of its
truth and God ,his influence in our lives .
Faith has different meanings and applications in
scriptures
For example in the letters to Timothy ,paul used faith
more for teaching or doctrine .
1 Timothy 4:6 KJV
[6] If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these
things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ,
nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine,
whereunto thou hast attained.
Good doctrine ,good explanation
1 Timothy 4:12 KJV
[12] Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an
example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in
charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Same here
1 Timothy 5:8 KJV
[8] But if any provide not for his own, and specially for
those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is
worse than an infidel.
Denied the teaching by been irresponsible.
1 Timothy 6:12 KJV
[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal
life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed
a good profession before many witnesses.
Good fight here is against wrong teaching about money
and materialism not faith for finances etc
Just like Jude
Jude 1:3 KJV
[3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you
of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write
unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the
saints.
Contend for sound teaching
2 Timothy 1:13 KJV
[13] Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast
heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Faith here refers to the content of sound doctrine ,faith
in Christ Jesus .
2 Timothy 4:7 KJV
[7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith:
Keeping the faith here is staying firm to the truth .
It's not the same as faith used in the case of the
woman with the issue of blood
Mark 5:34 KJV
[34] And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath
made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy
plague.
Or the crippled man at lystra
Acts 14:9 KJV
[9] The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly
beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be
healed,
Even though they all mentioned faith but context is
different
For example the book of Hebrews used faith more for
the Old Testament saints expectation of Christ's
redemption
Hebrews 11:1 KJV
[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen.
This was their experience before He finished the work .
Today we see Jesus
Hebrews 12:2 KJV
[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our
faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured
the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the
right hand of the throne of God.
We can go on and on..
In the book of Galatians faith was used more in
comparison to the works of the law not faith for prayer
like James used it
James 1:5-6 KJV
[5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it
shall be given him.
6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind
and tossed.
Galatians is different
Galatians 3:2,23-24 KJV
[2] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit
by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
[23] But before faith came, we were kept under the law,
shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be
revealed.
[24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring
us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Just to mention a few references .
The epistles seem to teach faith more as walking in
knowledge or better still what you are taught or what
Christ has done more than asking for things etc .
Now back to Romans 12:3 again
Was paul referring to all believers receiving same faith
at salvation ?
First and foremost the term " The measure of Faith " is
not original as quoted in the KJV
It ought to be " A measure of faith"
A Measure in scriptures refers often to a portion ,part of
a whole .
So what measure ? What part ? What whole ?
Pretext deals with service
Romans 12:1-2 KJV
[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God.
Serving by exhibiting your bodies in its true state and
worth ,an instrument of His worship ,renewing your
mind to accept this .
Post text is far clearer
Romans 12:4-5 KJV
[4] For as we have many members in one body, and all
members have not the same office:
[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every
one members one of another.
We are members of His body ,
We have individual and differing functions
Just like he said to Corinth
1 Corinthians 12:12,27 KJV
[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members,
and all the members of that one body, being many, are
one body: so also is Christ.
[27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in
particular.
The context here is gifts ,we have different functions
,just like the physical body
1 Corinthians 12:28-29 KJV
[28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles,
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that
miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments,
diversities of tongues.
29] Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers?
are all workers of miracles?
Each part is a measure of the whole .
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 KJV
[4] Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit.
[5] And there are differences of administrations, but the
same Lord.
[6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the
same God which worketh all in all.
More precisely in the epistle to the Ephesians
Ephesians 4:7-8,11 KJV
[7] But unto every one of us is given grace according to
the measure of the gift of Christ.
[8] Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high,
he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Measure of the gift of Christ .
Emphasis was gifts for ministry ,we all have measures
,just like the human body
Ephesians 4:16 KJV
[16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together
and compacted by that which every joint supplieth,
according to the effectual working in the measure of
every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love.
This is the same message in Romans 12:3
Romans 12:3 KJV
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every
man that is among you, not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt to every man the measure
of faith.
Don't think beyond your function in the body of Christ.
Stay in your office as God has dealt to you your
measure in the faith ,referring to gifts .
Whilst it's true believers have faith and belong to its
Household in Christ ,it's also used for ministry or
ministering to others either as a gift
1 Corinthians 12:9 KJV
[9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the
gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Like healing and miracles
It's in the context of Romans 12:3 used for our
ministries in the body of Christ .
So let's re echo Paul by saying ,
DO NOT GO BEYOND THE MEASURE OF MINISTRY GIFT
GIVEN TO U IN THE FAITH .
Think soberly .
Hope this is clear ?
You have a blessed week ahead
I call you blessed
Jesus is Lord,We win
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