|
Faith is defined in the dictionary as: Conviction of the truth
of anything. In the New Testament it is belief in respecting man's relationship
to God and divine things. Generally speaking faith includes the idea of trust
and holy fervor born of faith and conjoined with it. This is why we read in
Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen."
Faith is a subject that is very popular in the world. In fact, we
often hear people talking about having faith, or not having faith, in this or
that. But of all the things that a person can believe, the most important of all
is what one believes about God, Christ, the Word of God, the Lord's Church,
salvation, heaven, hell, etc.
Of course, faith is something that enters into all human
relationships. It doesn't matter whether it's family, social, educational,
business, or governmental. Faith is a fundamental principle in all walks of
life. However, faith in the spiritual realm is accepting what God says, not
because one likes it or feels that it's right, but because God says it's true.
The apostle Paul said of Abraham that he was "strong in faith." In the
next verse Paul described Abraham's strong faith by saying: "And being fully
persuaded that, what He (that is God) had promised,
He was able also to perform" (Romans 4:21).
Faith is a principle running throughout all systems of religion.
In fact, our faith is the principle upon which God accepts and blesses us. And
this principle has continued from the days of Adam to our present time. Since
Paul records in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works," then it behooves each of us to believe the
Words of GOD WHO CANNOT LIE (Hebrews 6:18).
In Romans 10:17 it reads, "So then faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God." A faith that will save a person is a belief
in the testimony of God's Word, the Bible. But a faith that merely has an
intellectual accent or psychological condition, has never been sufficient to
bring the life of that person into acceptance with God. This is why we read of a
WEAK faith (Romans 14:1), and a DEAD faith (James 2:17). Faith
must be a living faith that continues to grow in order to benefit the
person. It must be faithfulness and fidelity to God. It must be a firm
allegiance of duty to God and implicit trust in Him. You see, a real living
faith hears what God says, does what God bids, and then trusts God's promises.
No wonder Jesus said (Matthew 15:7-9) to a bunch of religious scribes and
Pharisees who had been tampering with God’s word, "Ye hypocrites, well did
Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, ‘This people
draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but
their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching as
doctrines the commandments of men.’"
Distrust of God’s Word in the Garden of Eden, was the starting
point of man's sins, and this attitude toward the Word of God continues until
this day. But belief in the Word of God is the turning point for a person's
salvation from sin. This is why we read in Hebrews 11:6,
"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."
There are several questions that arise with the subject of faith:
1. When does faith save?
2. How does faith save?
3. Are we saved by faith only?
First, "When Does Faith Save?" The Bible teaches that a
person is justified by faith when that faith causes him (or her) to obey God.
This is why we read in Romans 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." But how is this justification
completed? In James 2: verse 24 it reads, "Ye see then how that by works a
man is justified, and not by faith only." Now please don't misunder- stand
this scripture. The Bible is not talking about all "works", or works in general,
but notice Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them." Also the Bible teaches that our hearts are purified by faith, for we
read in Acts 15:9: "And put no difference between us and them, purifying
their hearts by faith." But again, "How is this cleansing of one's heart
accomplished?" In 1 Peter 1:22 it reads, "Seeing ye
have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned
love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of
God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
Secondly, "How Does Faith Save?" Faith must always
manifest itself in doing the works commanded by God in His Word. When our faith
thus demonstrates itself in loving obedience to that Word, then we are saved by
faith. In fact, we hear Jesus say in Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth
the will of my Father, which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day,
Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devil?
and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Yes, we can become
so involved in professing religion and Christianity, that we forget and omit the
Will & Works of God.
Thirdly, "Are We Saved By Faith Only?" There are many who
believe in God (and Jesus Christ) in a vague, general sort-of-way. But they need
to nurture that faith through the reading of the Bible until it is strong enough
to lead them into action. This is why Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, "Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven." When faith leads a person to turn from the sins
of the world -- he has repented. When faith leads a person to confess his faith
in Christ before others (Matthew 10:32-33, Acts 8:36-39), and puts on Christ in
baptism (the new birth, Galatians 3:26-27, Acts 2:37-47, Romans 6:3-14); then
that person has the security of being a child of God, and is an heir of eternal
life. Thus they are to walk in newness of life as a Christian, and member of
God’s family.
Not only is faith the initial step towards obedience to the Lord,
but it is also the abiding principle that will last as long as one sojourns here
in the flesh.
In Eph. 4:5 we are told that, "There is one faith." Also
we read in Jude, verse 3, "Beloved, when I gave all
diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to
write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith
which was once delivered unto the saints."
Today we see "many faiths" preached and praised. In fact, you
will find that most people are offended and become angry if anyone questions
their faith with the word of God. Instead of seeking the truth of what God says
in His word about a question, people often do things based on their personal
wishes and desires. This then results in "many faiths". Such a question as
"How many churches did the Lord build?" is answered in (Matthew 16:18;
Ephesians 1:20-23; & Ephesians 4:4). Other questions, such as: "What shall we
do in Christian worship?", "The morality of life", "Our commitment
to Christ", "The completeness of God's revelation", and other matters of
faith must be answered by God's Word.
Now, How do we know that the Lord loves us? The Bible tells us
so! How do we know that faith and works of obedience to the Word of God are
inseparable? The Bible tells us so!
|