In Mexico City this last Sunday, the 12th, Bishop Edir Macedo spoke about the faith of the Spirit, which contradicts religious faith.

The attentive crowd in the packed Cathedral learned that faith in God has nothing to do with a feeling-based faith:

“When we speak about faith, when we speak about belief in Jesus, we’re not talking about religion. Why not? Because living faith, supernatural faith, the faith that comes from God has nothing to do with emotion or feelings. Religion is a practice of emotions, of a feeling-based faith. Faith in God is rough, it’s rude, it has no feelings, no heart. God’s faith transmits a certainty that He is with us.”

Then the crowd was challenged to reflect on their lives:

“For how many years have you believed in God, and lived a life of shame… of trash?”

Why is that?

“You’ve believed in God since you were small, but the God that was presented to you was a God of feelings, an image of a weak Jesus — a sad, terrible image that appealed to people’s emotions. When people are taught to be emotional by an emotional faith, it simply does not work. True faith is the Spirit of God.”

As it says in John 7.38: “The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.” (HCSB)

And what does this mean?

“This means that words of life will flow from deep inside of you; words that will save desperate people; words that will lift the fallen; words that will give life to people who are dead; words that will bring spirit to people who have no spirit. Jesus is saying, ‘He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures say…’ not as a bishop, pastor, cardinal, priest or religion A or B says. No! But, those who believe in Jesus as the Word of God describes Him have an intelligent faith, faith that has a base to it, that is founded on the Word of God. Faith is Spirit. Faith is the certainty that God will do what He has promised.”

The Mexican crowd was led to understand that God’s faith comes from the Holy Spirit, and during this Fast of Daniel, everyone has the chance to receive it.

Jaqueline Correa.

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