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“Help Me Out Where I Need Faith!”The Watchtower—1991 | September 15
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3. What is significant about how John used the word “faith” in his Gospel, and why was this appropriate?
3 Especially do the Christian Greek Scriptures have much to say about faith. In fact, John’s Gospel uses various Greek words related to “faith” over 40 percent more frequently than do the other three Gospels combined. John stressed that having faith is not sufficient; exercising it is vital. Writing in about 98 C.E., he saw the poisonous tentacles of apostasy reaching out to ensnare Christians weak in faith. (Acts 20:28-30; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 2:18, 19) So it was vital to exercise faith, to give evidence of it by acts of godly devotion. Difficult times lay ahead.
4. Why is nothing impossible for those having faith?
4 Faith enables Christians to cope with any difficulties. Jesus told his disciples that if they had “faith the size of a mustard grain,” nothing would be impossible for them. (Matthew 17:20) In that way, he stressed the power of faith, a fruit of holy spirit. Jesus thus emphasized, not what humans, but what God’s spirit, or active force, can do. Those guided by it do not make molehill-size obstacles and problems into mountains. Applying the wisdom that God’s spirit imparts helps them to keep things in proper perspective. Even serious problems shrivel when subjected to the sustaining power of faith.—Matthew 21:21, 22; Mark 11:22-24; Luke 17:5, 6.
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“Help Me Out Where I Need Faith!”The Watchtower—1991 | September 15
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7 Imagine how Peter felt when he heard Jesus say: “I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out.” Just think! His Lord and Master had prayed that Peter’s faith might not fail. And it did not fail, or give out. In fact, on the day of Pentecost, Peter and others became the first persons anointed by holy spirit to become God’s spiritual children, prospective joint-heirs with Christ in heavenly glory. With holy spirit then active upon them in a measure previously unknown, they could demonstrate its fruitage, including faith, as never before. What a marvelous answer to their plea: “Give us more faith”!—Luke 17:5; Galatians 3:2, 22-26; 5:22, 23.
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