PERSISTENT FAITH !

PERSISTENT FAITH : Here are some things I want you to notice about the word importunity. The amplified Bible reads the word persistence. The Greek means bare faceness or boldness. If you take the word persistence by itself, it means "to keep on, to continue, to expect or endure in the face of opposition." Now the man came for the bread. His presence was persistent. He didn't go away but was patiently waiting to receive. It does not say that he kept on knocking. It does not say that he knocked twice. In fact, it does not say that he knocked once. He probably did, but the Bible doesn't say he did. He came to receive. He is persistent. He wouldn't leave until he had received. We also need to be that stubborn about some things. If you say "persistence of faith," you have changed the meaning of the word persistence. Persistent faith does not mean faith that just keeps on asking. Persistent faith means faith that ask once, then stands its ground until it is manifest. In other words holding fast to the confession of your faith ! True faith as and receives. Persistent faith is different from persistence by itself. It is faith that receives or takes from God. Faith takes. This is what Jesus is portraying in this passage of Scripture. The Bible is a Eastern book and must be interpreted as such. In the Eastern countries where it was written, the people understood, "Ask once and you receive." That is consistent with Jesus teaching on prayer. Remember He also said not to use vain repetitions and to believe that you receive when you pray. If it does mean to ask and keep on asking, you will have to say that it also means to receive and keep on receiving every time you ask. "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father or mother, will he give him a stone ? (Luke 11:11). He did not say if he keep asking, the father would finally give it to him. He is saying if your child asked for food, you would give it to him. You wouldn't make him as 100 more times, then change your mind. Satan would like for you to believe that is what God is like. That kind of thinking will lead you into error and hold you in bondage. Satan wants to twist the Word and distort your image of God. Remember words creates images ! Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; Seek, and you shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth (v.v. 9-10). Jesus said it, and you can be sure Jesus meant what He said.