An Example of Faith

Have you ever considered how helpful an example is? In so many things an example can deepen your understanding on a practical level of how things work. For example (proving the point!), secular education uses examples extensively to deepen your understanding. I remember during Science lessons at school, the teacher told us how certain elements react violently to contact with water. Then she took a strip of reactive metal, threw it into a bowl of water, and BOOM! – we learned by example! Another teacher explained how, because of their fixed atomic structure, many solids are impervious to other solids. Then she demonstrated this by trying to walk through the blackboard! Point taken, for sure.

Have you ever noticed how small children learn primarily by example? Before they even go to school, they learn certain words and behaviour primarily from their parents, and also their siblings and friends. They learn from the examples around them, which can have a powerful influence in their upbringing.

In the life of faith, examples can be extremely helpful. The Bible is full of examples. Some examples are not to be followed, but should be learned from nonetheless, such as in 1 Corinthians 10 where Paul described God’s judgement on the Israelites for their disobedience, concluding,

“All these events happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age is drawing to a close.” (1Cor.10:11)

And there are examples we should follow. James tells us:

“For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honour to those who endure great suffering. Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. From his experience we see how the Lord’s plan finally ended in good, for He is full of tenderness and mercy.” (James 5:10,11)

Of course, the Lord Jesus is always our ultimate example in everything, from suffering:

“Think about all He endured when sinful people did such terrible things to Him, so that you don’t become weary and give up.” (Hebrews 12:3)

to humility and servanthood:

“Since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13: 14, 15)

to love:

“We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16)

Just as little children follow the example of their parents, we also should follow the example of our Father in Heaven:

“Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave Himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins.” (Ephesians 5:1,2)

It is also right to follow the godly example of other believers:

“Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)

Examples can be extremely helpful when it comes to faith. The Old Testament is full of examples of people who achieved great victories through faith and Hebrews 11 lists many of them. There is Abraham and Sarah who had a child at 100 and became the Patriarchs of the nation of Israel, from which the Lord Jesus came. There is David who as a youth defeated the champion warrior of the Philistines who was nearly 10-foot tall, with just a slingshot! And Daniel who was thrown into a den of hungry lions and came out the next day completely unharmed.

There are New Testament examples too, such as the woman who received a complete healing by faith as she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. In fact most of the miracles of healing described in Jesus’ ministry happened through the faith of the individual. And they are examples of how we, too, can receive from the Lord.

That’s why reading and hearing testimonies of other people’s victories are so important, because they strengthen and encourage our own faith, and give us a frame of reference about how victories can be received. Of course, we don’t base our faith purely in the experiences of others, but on the Word of God, because not all experiences are in line with the Word.

For example, I’ve had a couple of ‘faith failures’ in my life – times when I trusted God for something and it didn’t come to pass as I expected. Even though it was confusing and disappointing at the time, as I grew in the Lord I came to understand why it didn’t come to pass – because I had set a time-limit on God. It didn’t come to pass when I expected, so I quit! But God doesn’t operate on our time-limits, so I should have continued to believe God. It wasn’t that faith failed, it was that I didn’t believe God in the right way – I added something to it. Like one guy said, it’s not that you tried faith and faith didn’t work, faith tried you and YOU didn’t work!

I heard a great example from a well-known teacher who told of when he first got hold of the ‘faith’ message, he decided he would believe God for a new car. He chose what kind of car he wanted, brand new, and decided he would give God 30 days to bring it to pass. For 30 days he rejoiced in the Lord, encouraged himself in the Word of God, and was eagerly expectant that the Lord would bring it pass. However, after 30 days – no car! Disappointed, he quit his faith until a few months later, in a time of prayer, He asked the Lord about it. The Lord told him he was doing well until the 30th day when he quit his faith. He said he had let the hands of a clock keep him from receiving. He also said it wasn’t too late, and that he should pick it up again and see it through.

So this teacher resurrected his faith, and continued to believe for this car. 30 days went by. 3 months went by. A year went by. 2 years. 3 years. Finally, 5 years later, a guy called him up and offered to buy him a brand new car. They went to a car showroom and found the exact model he had been believing for. Long story short, he got the car!

At the time I heard this example, I was stirred in my own faith to also believe for a car! I looked around for a while and decided on the model I would like, and asked God for it according to Mark 11:24 and 1John 5:14,15. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a done deal, the Lord has granted the request, and it shall come to pass! That was two years ago, but I’m not at all concerned that I’m not driving around in the car yet. Why? Because not only do I have faith in the promises of God, but I also have an example. I know not to quit on my faith because it hasn’t come to pass yet. I intend to keep believing and trusting those promises until it does! The car is currently valued at around £40k new, and as the Lord said to one brother, “If you ask big, be prepared to stand long”. And as Kenneth Hagin used to say, if you’re prepared to stand forever, it won’t take very long!

So let’s be encouraged by the examples of those who have received victories through their faith in God. Let’s stand on the promises of God, and allow the testimonies and examples of others strengthen us. If you’re believing for healing, listen to testimonies of those who have received healing. If you’re believing for finances, listen to testimonies of those who have received finances.
Let’s not quit our faith, but see it through to completion, just as Paul admonished in Hebrews 6:12:

“Follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience.”