The Faith Process

September 28, 2025

Dr. Paul Cannings

Many times, when we read the scriptures, we are encouraged by the many successes of a variety of Bible characters. We are encouraged by their strong faith and acts of heroism. Their interactions with God are many times coveted. Because these acts of heroism encourage us it may seem implicitly implied that they were perfect. However, even though Abraham was called righteous by God, he had several failures. Of the many is the story of Hagar. Elijah, a man revered by all those around him deserted God because of the wickedness of Jezebel. David, a person that was declared to be ‘a man after God’s own heart,’ one of his many failures, Bathsheba. Paul crystalizes this well when he said, ‘…..for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.’ (Romans 7:15; NASB) “………For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish.” (Rom 7:19-20; NASB) “……..Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Rom 7:24-25; NASB) John writes; “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us …………..” (1 John 1:8-10; NASB)

Being a person of faith is to bear in mind our growth is a process that God is aware of and is committed to work out (Phil. 1:6). It is a process of guiding us to be less self-reliant (Luke 14:25-27; John 12:23-26) by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2), accept the Spirit’s conviction when we sin (John 16:7-11), trust the Word to be comprehensive (2 Peter 1:3-4) about all life issues so that the Holy Spirit who is fully deposited in us (Tit. 3:4-8) is ignited in our obedience (Hebrews 5:11-14). When we become drunk with the Spirit (Eph. 5:15-18) we are able ‘to work out our salvation in fear and trembling because of He who is within us – the Holy Spirit.’ (Phil. 2:12-13). Our victory is not in what we achieve, it is learning to walk in what the Lord has accomplished for us (Romans 8:28, 31-39).

This is what we find in the spiritual development of Abraham whose faith became so refined he would raise the knife to kill Issac or Paul who would later say; “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.” (Gal. 2:20-21; NASB)

We are not expected to run perfect races. What the Lord expects is for us to keep our eyes on Him by practicing His word each day (Hebrews 12:1-3).