Everyone knows that natural laws govern our physical world. You may not like those laws, however, there is no getting around the fact that physical laws must be respected.
For instance, gravity can work for you (keeping your car on the road) or it can work against you (when you mount that teetering top step on the ladder that says, “No Step”).
Electricity, too, is a wonderful force that operates by set laws. If respected, electricity will cook your toast. If abused, you become toast.
No one argues against the physical laws that govern our world.
Years ago, great scientists and mathematicians discovered and defined those laws. Without the discovery, acknowledgment, definition and utilization of the physical laws of light, energy and magnetism, we would be without television, cell phones and air transportation. Sounds pretty boring!
Why then should it seem strange that the unseen spiritual realm operates by set laws? Scientists of late are researching “string theory” which seeks to comprehensively define all atomic, electromagnetic and gravitational laws. Researchers now believe our world is multidimensional. In other words, they believe in the unseen realm!
Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ stepped out of the unseen realm of time and into our current dimension of experience. He came into our world (the world He created – Col 1:16) to redeem us and to teach us about the laws which govern the unseen realm.
The laws Jesus taught and exhibited had been recognized for ages. Even some callous Pharisees had to acknowledge Jesus’ assertion that the Great Commandment (to wholeheartedly love God and others) was a far superior law to apply than hatred. Wise thinkers for ages had acknowledged the supremacy of the law of love.
One law Jesus particularly emphasized was the law of faith. Jesus not only taught about faith, but Jesus consistently operated his life and ministry by faith.
In Mark 11:22 Jesus exhorts us to, “Have faith in God.” This passage may also be rendered, “Have the faith of God” or “Have the God kind of faith.” In other words, Jesus tells us to get faith and use it!
Think about this for a moment. What if a native of the Caribbean were to communicate with an Eskimo expressing his desire to visit the Arctic. The Eskimo might say, “First, get some warm clothing.” The native Caribbean would do well to heed the Eskimo’s advice!
The Caribbean might brush off the Eskimo’s council, thinking it unnecessary. After all, he had proved his resourcefulness living self-sufficiently for years in the tropics.
But… he had never been to the Arctic! Without warm clothing the Caribbean native would soon die of exposure in the frigid Arctic.
Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life.” (John 10:10) He’s telling us the way we might live and be blessed in this current earth realm and throughout eternity is through faith! Jesus wants for us to understand and to apply this very important spiritual law…the law of faith.
Faith is simply to believe God and His Word. To trust, acknowledge and confess what Jesus declares about salvation, eternity, prosperity, healing and every other subject he addresses.
What follows are scriptures that assert the importance of getting and operating by faith. I encourage you to meditate on these scriptures and to go to God’s Word where you might acquire the faith so necessary to live victoriously now and throughout eternity!
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
“Now the just shall live by faith…” Hebrews 10:38
“For by faith you stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:24
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
“Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,” Hebrews 11:33
“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” Ephesians 6:16
“And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”” Mark 5:34
“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”” Mark 2:5
“Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”” Matthew 9:29
“Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Matthew 15:28
“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,” Romans 4:20
“And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” James 5:15
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Fresh out of Bible school and with a heavenly mandate, Jim and Pam moved to Erie, PA, in June 1981. Having never visited the city, their sojourn began by living ten weeks in a tent on Walnut Creek with their four-year-old son. God had said, "Move to Erie, become established and build a great church." No obstacle was impossible to overcome!
Making Erie their permanent home, they helped establish three churches in Northwest, PA, and faithfully pastored Erie Christian Fellowship for 30 years. Their vision, which continues under the capable leadership of Jason and Liz Ackerman, is to honor the Lord Jesus Christ and build strong believers rooted in the Word and guided by the Spirit.
Jim and Pam continue to minister as District Directors of Rhema Ministerial Alumni Association. In September 2018, Jim experienced a miraculous recovery from a "widowmaker" heart attack and a 6-day coma. After prayer, Jim was miraculously restored to the joy of his family and the astonishment of a caring medical team. Jim is currently writing "Let's Pray," a book that chronicles God's guidance and answers to prayer in their life.
Jim and Pam have one son, Dr. Justin Dumont (married to Dr. Anna Dumont), and four incredible grandchildren; Jazna, Coleben, Symeon, and Kendru.