We will learn about the third level of faith. This is the level where a person can truly act according to the Word, and we will also learn about the heavenly dwelling places prepared for those who reach this level.
Reading Scripture:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock…” (Matthew 7:24–25, NASB)
“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:25, NASB)
A person cannot grow in faith no matter how much the person knows the Word, if the person does not keep it. When a person tries to obey the Word with effort, the Lord God gives grace and power from above. The Holy Spirit helps the person, so the person becomes able to act by the Word, and the person’s faith grows little by little. At the second level of faith, a person tries to follow the Word like a little child but sometimes succeeds and sometimes fails. But if the person continues praying and casting away the works of the flesh, that person finally reaches the third level of faith—the level where the person can act by the Word like a strong young man of spirit.
1. The Third Level of Faith: The Faith That Can Act by the Word
At the second level of faith, a person may still commit sins of action, which are the works of the flesh. But when a person enters the third level, the works of the flesh no longer come out. From the third level onward, the believer becomes a changed person and becomes the light and salt of the world. Such a person endures unfair rebukes and insults without complaint. Even when facing difficulties, the person tries to rejoice. Even when things do not match one’s thoughts or theories, the person tries to understand from the other person’s position and serve them. So people of the third level are often recognized by the world, who say, “This person is different because this person believes in the Lord God.”
Unlike the second level, where the Word is kept by duty, the third level of faith follows the Word because the person understands the will of the Lord God from the heart. For example, the person keeps the Lord’s Day and gives tithes because the person understands that doing so brings blessings and protection. But a person is not in the third level of faith just because outward actions look correct. If a person keeps the Lord’s Day or gives tithes only because of family pressure, or if the person spends the entire worship service with a sleepy mind thinking, “I want to go home quickly and watch the game,” then that is not the third level of faith. If the person complains or regrets when blessings do not come as quickly as expected, that is also not the third level of faith.
The measure of faith is not based on a few outward actions. It is based on how deeply the person understands and believes the will of the Lord God in the heart. At the third level of faith, a person begins the good fight to cast away the sinful nature in the heart. The person not only stops doing the works of the flesh but also starts removing the root of the flesh itself. As long as sinful nature remains, a person cannot fully obey the will of the Lord God. Therefore, the believer must continue the good fight of faith until the roots of sin are completely removed.
2. The Beginning of the Third Level of Faith and the Rock of Faith
Within the third level of faith, each person has a different measure. If we divide the third level from 1% to 100%, the closer a person is to 100%, the closer that person is to the fourth level of faith. Even after entering the third level and acting by the Word, a person first experiences conflict in the heart. The thoughts of the flesh and the thoughts of the spirit still fight. The person obeys the will of the Lord God, but the sinful nature remains in the heart. So the person acts by the truth, but the thoughts of the spirit that seek goodness and the thoughts of the flesh that seek evil are still in conflict.
In the second level of faith, a person tries to rejoice and give thanks during trials, but in the end, cannot overcome and begins to complain. However, in the third level of faith, a person can give thanks and rejoice even during trials. This does not mean that the person shows perfect joy and perfect thanks from the beginning. If a believer is at the beginning of the third level, when a difficult problem comes suddenly, the thoughts of the flesh may say, “This is too hard,” and the person may feel discouraged. But the person soon hears the voice of the Holy Spirit and sets the heart on the truth, saying, “No, I must rejoice and give thanks. The Lord God is alive. Why should I be discouraged?”
When a believer reaches more than 60% of the third level of faith, much sinful nature has already been cast away. So it becomes much easier to act by the Word of the Lord God. The thoughts of the flesh do not work strongly. This is proof that the believer has cast away much sinful nature and has come close to the fourth level of faith. At this time, even if a difficult situation comes suddenly, the first thought is not discouragement or complaint. Instead, the believer first tries to rejoice and give thanks by trusting in the Lord God. Even if the thought “This is hard” passes by for a moment, it is immediately changed into joy and thanks.
Matthew 7:24–25 says, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” (NASB) The rock refers to Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). If a believer does not shake in faith during trials and hardships and acts by the Word, the believer is standing firmly on Jesus Christ, the Rock. When a believer reaches more than 60% of the third level of faith, the believer has entered “the rock of faith.”
When standing on the rock of faith, even if an uncomfortable thought about someone arises for a moment, the believer can immediately change it into a thought of truth and spirit. The believer serves others with a peaceful heart. Christian life no longer feels difficult. Each day becomes joyful and happy. When a believer reaches 70–80% of the third level, the believer stands fully on the rock of faith. Acting by the Word becomes natural, like a habit that flows out automatically.
As a believer continues in the third level of faith and casts away the works of the flesh one by one, the believer comes closer to the fourth level. The believer communicates more clearly with the Lord God and feels His love more deeply. Even if someone causes great trouble, the believer may not yet love completely, but the believer no longer hates the person. Even if the believer finds a lost wallet on the road when money is urgently needed, the believer does not struggle with the thought, “Should I keep it or return it?” The believer returns it immediately to the owner. When the believer reaches the point where no fleshly thought arises in any situation, and the believer follows goodness instantly with perfect joy and thanks, then the believer finally reaches spiritual faith, the fourth level of faith.
3. The Heavenly Dwelling Place for Believers in the Third Level of Faith
The believers who reach the third level of faith dwell in the Second Kingdom of Heaven. Unlike the First Kingdom, where homes look like multi-unit buildings, the Second Kingdom gives each person an independent house. Although these houses have only one floor, they are far more magnificent and beautiful than any luxury home or villa on this earth. They are decorated with fragrant flowers and trees, making them delightful and peaceful. Each person also receives one special facility of their own choosing. If someone desires a beautiful lake, the person receives a lake. If someone wants a swimming pool, the person receives a swimming pool. Any facilities a person does not have can be enjoyed at another person’s home, and everyone rejoices together.
Each person’s home has a nameplate. On it, the owner’s name and the name of the Church the person served on this earth are written in the heavenly script. If the person attended and served in a Church loved by the Lord God, the glory and honor become even greater. What kind of crown is given to believers in the third level of faith? Because they acted by the Word of the Lord God and fulfilled their duties to glorify Him, they receive the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4). For example, a person who once became angry over small matters becomes gentle, and family members or neighbors say, “After going to Church, this person has really changed.” When a person’s words and actions change into truth, the person becomes a light to others, and this glorifies the Lord God (Matthew 5:16).
Those who enter the Second Kingdom feel deep thankfulness to the Lord God for giving them the crown of glory, which is far beyond anything they have done. Yet, they also feel some regret, thinking, “If only I had cast away even the sinful nature in my heart and reached full holiness.” Therefore, we must fight against sin to the point of shedding blood, cast away every form of evil, and accomplish holiness. By fully carrying out the duties given to us, we must long for a better dwelling place in the Kingdom of Heaven.
*Plus
What are “the works of the flesh”?
These refer to attributes of untruth such as hatred, jealousy, pride, judgment, and adultery—things not yet acted out but capable of becoming sinful actions. They are the sinful natures hidden inside the heart, classified one by one.
Memory Scripture:
“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:25, NASB)
Reference Scripture:
“I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of the Lord God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (1 John 2:14, NASB)