The Eight Aspects of the Subjective Side of Faith

 

The Eight Aspects of the Subjective Side of Faith

Psalm 116:4 "Then I called on the name of the Lord."

Galatians 3:14 "That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Philippians 3:10 "That we may know him...and the fellowship of his sufferings."

John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him."

 

Aspect	Meaning	Reason	Example	Application	Related Scripture
1. Hearing	The starting point of faith, generating faith through hearing God's word	Without hearing the word, there can be no faith. Faith comes from hearing	Hearing the gospel about God, Christ, the Spirit, the cross, redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life	Preaching living, rich messages that stir people and fill them with appreciation	Romans 10:17 "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life."
2. Appreciating	Developing precious and appreciative feelings toward the gospel word heard	After hearing the gospel word, a sense of appreciation naturally arises in the hearers	Appreciating the fact that the Triune God has been processed to become the all-inclusive life-giving Spirit	Each time we properly hear something, such hearing awakens more appreciation for the Lord	Psalm 34:8 "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!" 1 Peter 2:3 "If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good." Romans 10:13 "For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Psalm 116:4 "Then I called on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16 "Calling on his name."
3. Calling	Natural crying out and prayer arising from appreciating the Lord Jesus	All who appreciate the Lord Jesus will spontaneously call upon the Lord's name	Calling out "Oh, Lord Jesus!" or "Lord Jesus is so good!"	No need to persuade people to pray; they will naturally call upon the Lord's name
4. Receiving	Actively welcoming and taking the Lord Jesus into one's heart	After appreciating and calling upon the Lord Jesus, one naturally receives Him	Opening the heart to receive the Lord Jesus as Savior	Through a decision of the will to receive Christ into one's life	John 1:12 "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
5. Taking	Actually obtaining and possessing the Lord Jesus who has been received	After receiving, one must truly take in order to fully obtain	Not only receiving salvation but actually obtaining God's life and nature	Through faith actually obtaining all the grace God has given	John 1:16 "From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." Galatians 3:14 "So that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith."
6. Joining	Being united with the Lord Jesus as one, establishing a life union	After receiving and taking the Lord Jesus, one joins with Him	Like the union of branches with the vine, becoming one life	Maintaining an intimate union with the Lord in daily life	John 15:4-5 "Abide in me, and I in you...I am the vine; you are the branches." 1 Corinthians 6:17 "But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him."
7. Partaking	Participating in and sharing the life, nature, and all riches of the Lord Jesus	After joining with the Lord, one partakes of all that He is	Partaking of the divine nature, Christ's sufferings and glory	Actually sharing Christ's life and riches in experience	2 Peter 1:4 "That you may become partakers of the divine nature." Philippians 3:10 "That I may know him and the fellowship of his sufferings."
8. Enjoying	Finding satisfaction, joy, and rest in the relationship with the Lord	After partaking of the Lord, one can enjoy all these riches	Enjoying God's grace, peace, joy, and eternal life	Experiencing and enjoying the Triune God as our everything in daily life	Psalm 36:8 "They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights." John 10:10 "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

 

Summary:

These eight aspects form a complete process, beginning with hearing the gospel, generating appreciation, naturally calling upon the Lord's name, then receiving and taking the Lord Jesus, joining with Him, partaking of His riches, and finally enjoying the Triune God as our everything. This is the complete subjective faith experience, which is the work of the Triune God processed to become the all-inclusive life-giving Spirit within us.

 

*Please refer to Life-study of Galatians, Chapter 14: Hearing Faith Versus Doing the Law