September 2, 2022 Brethren Letter

Dear Brethren,

As most of us undoubtedly realize, when it comes to the subject of “FAITH”, there is a spiritual element of the word that defines what it actually means. TRUE faith as described in God’s Word, is not a human type faith. Not a single one of us has the power to work-up the faith OF Christ on our own human strength and ability. It doesn’t work that way! The kind of faith God’s people must have is the real living faith OF Jesus Christ, which only comes through God’s Holy Spirit! Yes, the key word to focus on is “OF”, when describing where real faith comes from. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

In the book of Hebrews we can clearly see what the Biblical definition of “faith” is. “Now faith is the substance [assurance] of things hoped for, the evidence [proof, conviction] of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report” (Hebrews 11:1-2). When reading chapter 11 of Hebrews, we can see many examples listed of men and women who displayed strong, godly faith. It’s always good to review those verses. I think each of us would benefit greatly by rereading those verses several times a year. They’re most inspiring verses to read, when considering the Christians who have lived before us, and the experiences they endured.

God expects His people to be growing in faith. In fact, we’re shown in verse 6 of Hebrews 11, that without faith, (one of the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit – Galatians 5:22), it’s actually impossible to please God! “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” The word is NOT “improbable”, but IMPOSSIBLE!

Through the years when God began to work with Mr. Armstrong, he began to see and understand just what real living faith was. I want to share some excerpts taken from an article Mr. Armstrong wrote in the Good News magazine, April, 1980, entitled – “You can Have Living Faith.”

What would it be worth to you if I could tell you exactly how you could always pray to God for every need, for help and deliverance from every trouble and always get the answer? If I could show you a way to always KNOW you are going to actually get what you ask of God?

I can tell you that. I have found the way, myself…

But as of the moment I write, there is not one thing I have had to rely upon God for and ask Him for in prayer, for myself and family or this wonderful Work of His, which He has committed to me, that has not been answered.

I remember how my first wife Loma and I had to depend upon God for just about everything.

Once I had to ask God for a dime. We had to have it immediately. Believe it or not, in less than two minutes God sent it to our house.

At another time I had to ask God to send us $50,000 by a certain date – for the Work – and He sent it.

Once, more than 35 years ago, I remember, before retiring at night, asking God to remove some painful canker sores inside my mouth. When I awoke, they were gone.

Once we had to ask God to heal my wife of four or five serious afflictions, which had come upon her simultaneously – quinsy with lockjaw, blood poison from a rose thorn, a dog bite and two serious internal ailments. Her condition was so critical doctors did not expect her to live another 24 hours. She was healed of all these things instantly!

When our youngest son was 2 years and 4 months old he still could not talk. Either from birth or as a result of a fall, something obstructed his speech. When we became sure of the fact of the affliction, we asked God to heal him and let him talk, and the very next day he was beginning to talk, and in a week he was speaking whole sentences like any boy his age.

God answers every need

I have had to ask God to deliver us, and His Work, from enemies. I have asked Him for understanding of His will, and His Word. I have had to ask for wisdom where I had none, and for guidance. I have been at my wit’s end in desperate trouble and cried out to God for deliverance. God has answered every time. Never once has there been a failure to get an answer.

Once when we were returning from Europe, we found ourselves in a hurricane in the middle of the Atlantic. When it became known we were in great danger – and no life-boat could have been launched in those angry 65-foot waves – I went to my cabin and earnestly asked God to calm the storm. In two or three hours the sea was calm again.

You can have the same results – if you will be willing to learn what I have had to learn, and to do what God has shown me I have to do.

Mr. Armstrong indeed learned MUCH about faith through the years. In Luke 18:8 the question is asked, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” The answer is, YES HE WILL! We know that when Christ returns to this earth, there will be converted individuals alive at that time, begotten of God’s Spirit, and will be instantaneously changed into immortal beings.

[15] “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (I Thessalonians” 4:15-18).

Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God (Hebrews 11:6). No one alive at the time of Christ’s return could even possibly be a part of the events spoken of in I Thessalonians 4 unless there was the element of faith involved in their lives. However, every ONE of us should desire to GROW ABUNDANTLY in Faith, and not be satisfied with having just a little of it.

Next week, I will continue with this subject. Have a good night’s rest everyone.

Your Brother in Christ,

Gary Liebold