What Does Great Faith Look Like? Radical Obedience & Spiritual Growth
- 2 days ago
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In our daily devotionals at Group Bible Study, we look further into “What Does Great Faith Look Like?” Let’s get into it:
It is one thing to discuss faith as a theological concept; it is quite another to witness a human life radically transformed by simple obedience to God. Real biblical stories and modern testimonies give flesh to theoretical truth, showing what happens when someone risks comfort, reputation, and personal safety because they believe God has spoken.
Modern Example of Great Faith: Jackie Pullinger’s Calling
Consider the story of Jackie Pullinger. As a young woman in England, she felt a persistent sense that God was calling her to missionary work. After experiencing a vivid vision of people desperately pleading for help, she applied to various missionary agencies. Every single church organization rejected her. They told her she was too young, underqualified, and lacked necessary ministry experience.
Instead of succumbing to discouragement, Jackie sought the counsel of a wise pastor who encouraged her to trust God's inner call. At just twenty-two years old, she spent all the money she had on a one-way boat ticket and set sail, not knowing where she would end up. She eventually landed in Hong Kong and entered the Walled City—a terrifying, lawless enclave controlled by ruthless criminal organizations known as Triads, where even the police refused to go.
Jackie opened a small school and began telling gang members, prostitutes, and drug addicts that Jesus loved them. Rather than offering mere human social programs, she prayed for heroin addicts in the name of Jesus, and hundreds were miraculously delivered from severe addiction without suffering withdrawal symptoms. The transformation among these hardened criminals was so undeniable that a senior Triad gang boss personally visited Jackie to promise that his men would protect her ministry center. Jackie’s willingness to take a radical step of faith resulted in thousands of lives restored by the Gospel.
How Great Faith Grows: Fruit vs. Gift of Faith
How does such faith grow in an ordinary believer’s life? Scripture reveals that faith operates in two distinct ways: as a fruit and as a gift.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."— Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good... to another faith by the same Spirit..."— 1 Corinthians 12:7, 9 (ESV)
1. Faithfulness as a Fruit of the Spirit
First, Galatians 5:22 lists "faithfulness" (from the Greek word pistis, meaning "faith") as one of the fruits of the Spirit. Just as sap flows from a grapevine into its branches (John 15:1-5), the character and steady trust of Jesus flow naturally into your daily life as you abide in intimate relationship with Him over time. Fruit takes time to cultivate and ripen through daily surrender.
2. The Supernatural Gift of Faith
Second, 1 Corinthians 12:9 speaks of the supernatural gift of faith. This is a sudden, Spirit-imparted grace given for a specific moment of intense need or strategic ministry. We see this at work when Peter and John met the crippled man at the Gate Beautiful (Acts 3). Only weeks earlier, Peter had cowardly denied Christ. Yet as he looked intently at the lame man, the Holy Spirit imparted a sudden, inner divine knowing. Peter boldly commanded, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!"—and the man was instantly healed.
Whether through the steady growth of spiritual fruit or the sudden impartation of a spiritual gift, God empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things when they simply trust His Word.
Practical Application: Growing in Faith Daily
· Evaluate Your Motives in Rejection: When doors close or human authorities doubt your calling (as happened to Jackie Pullinger), do you give up, or do you take time to test whether your vision aligns with Scripture? Bring your current frustration to God and ask Him to clarify His direction.
Cultivate Daily Abiding: Because the fruit of faith grows out of your connection to the Vine, evaluate your spiritual abiding habits. Set aside 15 uninterrupted minutes today solely to meditate on God's character through His Word, allowing His Spirit to nourish your trust.
Daily Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You that You are the true Vine and I am a branch. Forgive me for relying on my own wisdom, qualifications, or human energy to accomplish spiritual work. I ask that Your Holy Spirit flow through me today, producing the lasting fruit of faith and obedience. Give me a heart that aches for those who are lost and hurting around me. When You prompt me to speak or act, impart Your supernatural confidence so that Jesus may be glorified. Amen.
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Deepen Your Study
Discover how God uses ordinary believers to work extraordinary miracles when they choose to trust His Spirit. Watch the full teaching video for this study on YouTube, available with subtitles in 70 languages. Click the following link:
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· Read the full study online: How Can We Have Great Faith
· Series: This excerpt is taken from the series Growing Faith in God
· Visit the Keith Thomas YouTube Channel for more teachings.
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