Even as babes or mature Christians, our faith comes from hearing the exploits of God and the greatness of his power through the Word, for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, according as it is written.
There are men who are rich in faith – who can do the works of him that sent them. In other words, there are men who are full of faith. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also, (2 Tim 2:2).
These possess the faith of Christ, though they could be lowly. So seeing we overcome the world by faith and that there are faithful men, we shouldn’t despair nor doubt, but instead believe God and believe also that there are gifts he has bestowed upon men which can be of important benefit.
The chosen poor are part of the congregation who are rich in faith. So we ought not to despise them and yet be favorably disposed to the rich. Instead, we should treat them with great esteem, equally.
Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? Jam 2:5
We see in the Scriptures in several places where the faith of others was sought to bring succour to the needy. Many of such are written: we see the case of Peter and Tabitha. The woman of Zarephath and Elijah, among others.
The need to beckon on these men in times of need and at times of ‘no-need’ is also instructive: the brethren had to send for Peter to come and raise the dead: after some time Peter came as he was in town! He went in and raised the dead.
It is a wonder that a sent man could help others in need unto the manifestation of the works of faith. In the Gospel, we see a man sick of the Palsy. While Jesus was preaching the Word, they had to carry the sick man unto him, even from the roof of a building. And Jesus saw their faith and healed the man, (Luke 5:20).
What works do we need to do for God to ‘see our faith’? How can we grow in faith, seeing that there is great and little faith? How can we admit to know the evidence of faith? These things could be a mystery that exceeds our understanding. But the Holy Spirit teaches us all things, according as it is written.
The mystery of faith should be held with a clear conscience by those whom it concerns: they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, 1 Tim 3:9.
The works done by the brethren at the times and the exploits of the faithful men should encourage us to search for help in God, putting our trust in no other. With faith, we can attest to the truthfulness of God’s Word, and please him. But when the Son of Man comes on earth shall he find faith? (Luke 18:8).
May God help our unbelief and make us grow in knowledge and faith.