Spring 1976
The Substance of Faith

Wade E Taylor
President of Pinecrest

In the beginning God said, “Let there be”—and there was (Genesis 1:3). The word that the Lord spoke was creative and produced substance when spoken. True faith is substance. It is a spoken or quickened word from the Lord and it carries in it the complete out-working or answer. Faith is the evidence of that which is hoped for. When believed and acted upon it becomes creative and the result is ours. The word of God is quick and powerful. True faith must have a consequence or result. As in the book of Genesis it is noted “God said,” and “it was.”

Too many today are merely entertained by the Word, not understanding its creative power. In Revelation chapter three the Laodicean church was proud and satisfied with spiritual gifts, enablings, and ministries. “Because thou sayest”—this was their problem. They talked about the things of God so wonderfully provided for them, but did not comprehend the real purpose of these gifts. They rejoiced in the gift rather than in the fruit the gift was to produce—a Christ-like character and nature. Their testimony was, “I am rich and increased with goods.” The corrective word to them was to “buy of me gold tried in the fire.” The gold He desired was His nature worked out and manifested in their lives. We are to be made conformable to His Image. Unless the word of faith has this substance, it falls short of His will for us. Words, no matter how wonderful, are of no value unless they are creative and produce His image and likeness in our lives. “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

Matthew 3:11 speaks of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire. Fire is the substance that burns away all that is less than God’s best. We are to accept this as He comes with a fan in His hand to cause the fire to burn brightly until all that is not like Him is consumed. True faith not only produces the object hoped for, but recreates us in His image. This is the power of the Living Word.