by Janet Mushi | 20 March 2019 08:46 pm03
One of the most foundational yet deeply misunderstood themes in Scripture is faith. The Bible addresses faith in many dimensions — saving faith, healing faith, persevering faith, and the gift of faith among others (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 11:1). Like education, faith is not one-dimensional nor ever complete. It grows, matures, and deepens over time (2 Thessalonians 1:3).
Too often, believers treat all faith the same, expecting every kind of faith to yield the same results — miracles, salvation, blessings, etc. But Scripture shows us that not every expression of faith produces the same outcomes, nor is every kind of faith pleasing to God.
Two individuals may both be educated, holding degrees and accolades. Yet their knowledge is domain-specific. A pilot cannot perform brain surgery, and a surgeon cannot fly a commercial aircraft. Both are competent in their fields, but outside of their area of expertise, they would be completely ineffective — perhaps even dangerous.
The same applies to faith. One may have strong faith for healing but lack faith for salvation. Another may believe God for provision but struggle to trust Him in trials. Faith functions within spiritual maturity and revelation. It must be cultivated, directed, and built on the right foundation — Jesus Christ.
Scripture describes several kinds of faith. Let’s explore them briefly:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
– Ephesians 2:8 (NKJV)
This is the foundational faith every believer must possess — faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It is the faith that leads to justification (Romans 5:1), and without it, no one can be saved (Acts 16:31).
“And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.’”
– Luke 8:48 (NKJV)
This kind of faith receives physical or emotional healing and is often activated through trust in God’s power and goodness. It can exist even in non-believers, as we will see.
“…to another faith by the same Spirit…”
– 1 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)
This supernatural kind of faith is given by the Holy Spirit and is not tied to salvation. It is a temporary, powerful endowment for a specific purpose — usually involving miracles or divine interventions.
Text: Luke 7:1–10 (NKJV)
In this passage, we meet a Gentile centurion — a Roman military officer stationed in Capernaum — who exhibits one of the greatest expressions of faith in the entire New Testament.
Key Verses:
“For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
– Luke 7:8 (NKJV)
Jesus responds in awe:
“I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”
– Luke 7:9b (NKJV)
This man was not a Jew, nor did he know the Torah intimately. He had no formal training in the Scriptures. Yet, he recognized authority — and believed Jesus only had to speak a word for his servant to be healed.
This was not saving faith, but it was faith rooted in revelation through life experience. He understood that Jesus operated with divine authority, and he appropriated that understanding into faith.
Text: Mark 7:24–30; Matthew 15:21–28
Another striking example is the Syrophoenician woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon (modern-day Lebanon). She was a Gentile — and when she came to Jesus, He initially refused her request:
“It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
– Matthew 15:26 (NKJV)
But her reply demonstrated deep humility and persistence:
“Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”
– Matthew 15:27 (NKJV)
Jesus responded:
“O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.”
– Matthew 15:28 (NKJV)
Again, we see a non-Jewish person demonstrating great faith through spiritual insight — despite having no formal access to the covenants of Israel.
Many people, including non-believers, can exhibit great faith based on life experience, logic, or desperation. But the highest form of faith — “Mother Faith” — is not based on experience. It is based on revelation, specifically, the revelation of Jesus Christ.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
– Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
The Greek term for “word” here is ῥῆμα (rhema) — the spoken, revealed word. In context, this refers to the message of Christ (i.e., the Gospel), not just general Bible verses.
“Mother Faith” is the foundational faith that comes not by miracles, not by experience, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is:
This faith leads to:
Satan doesn’t mind people having faith for miracles, money, or marriage. What terrifies him is a believer whose faith is rooted in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His resurrection power.
“…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…”
– Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)
Many today pursue prophetic words, prosperity, and healing — but neglect the centrality of the cross. That’s why despite being “Christians,” many believers:
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.”
– Colossians 1:19 (NKJV)
“…till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man…”
– Ephesians 4:13 (NKJV)
When your faith is built on who Christ is, not just what He can do, you become immovable. You walk in power, love, sound doctrine, and endurance. Your prayers align with His will, and your life bears eternal fruit.
If you’ve been walking in a shallow version of faith — based on experiences, feelings, or teachings that only emphasize blessings — it’s time to return to the true foundation: Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16).
“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
– 1 Corinthians 3:11 (NKJV)
Repent. Reset your spiritual priorities. Build your faith not just on miracles, but on the Word of Christ — the crucified, risen, and reigning Savior.
Lord Jesus, open the eyes of our hearts to truly know You. Strip away superficial faith and build in us a faith rooted in revelation — the kind that saves, sanctifies, and glorifies You. Teach us to know You more deeply, and let our lives be living testimonies of Your power and grace. Amen.
If this message blessed you, share it with others. Help build faith that is unshakable — faith rooted in Christ.
Be richly blessed.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/03/20/what-is-mother-faith/
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