Romans 12:3,6 English Standard Version (ESV) For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

What faith are you?

When others ask this question, they are seeking to discover who you worship. It has nothing to do with faith or any of its multiple aspects. There are only three faith based religions and they all have the same root, Abraham. Jews, Christians and Muslims all stake there claims based in the faith of Abraham.

Why Abraham? Abraham was not the first man God called out to and not the last. What makes Abraham so special?

Genesis 12:1-3 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Call of Abram

¹ Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. ² And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. ³ I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Even before God changed his name to Abraham, God made this promise. Laying claim to Abraham makes those believers part of his family and therefor inheritors of God’s blessing. We might want to examine the motivations of our hearts.

Do we lay claim to any blessing from God? What is the basis of our claim? Is it birthright as in I was born into this faith? Do we feel the need for a protective shield from enemies, real or imagined? Do we seek the blessings for their intrinsic values? Do we seek acceptance?

What is the motivation of the heart?

Ezekiel 4:1 English Standard Version (ESV) “And you, son of man, take a brick and lay it before you, and engrave on it a city, even Jerusalem.”

Ezekiel is given a word of the Lord and commands to make an engraving upon a brick. Since faith comes by hearing, Ezekiel has been asked to obey God by faith. A symbol of obedience of faith is being painted for us here. Ezekiel’s rendering of the city will be according to his own vision, his own skills and will differ in design from any other man’s rendering.

Think of great artist from our past. They each painted with a signature style which to experts can validate a piece even if the painting has no signature. Style is unique to the artist.

In this same manner by obedience of faith each of us would render a different image, a personal illustration of what we believe we are asked to perform. This illustration of faith carries with it a personal touch that only belongs to each of us.

The faith in us is the same. The Spirit in us is the same. Christ in us is the same. Our illustration of faith will and must become part of our humanity, our vision, our effort to obey. Will that be a perfect rendering of the image of Christ? No, but it will present an aspect of faith that has touched the individual and worked in that person the ability to illustrate a personal vision of obedience.

Will it be perfect? What is perfect? What is acceptable? What is good?

Romans 12:2 English Standard Version (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Like any artist, we get better with practice and our illustrations will become recognizable by those who are present to see those works.