Faith toward God is an elementary principle. It is a basic element of the Christian foundation. It is simple – milk for babes. Yet, as we discovered in Part 1, even the meaning of faith is more than most of us consider when we hear and use the word. In this article, we will search further – to be confident that we understand, believe and live in faith that is toward God.
For your convenience, here is the meaning of faith, developed from our study of Hebrews 11:1:
Faith is the conviction of truth, founded on the substantial quality and nature of the LORD; resulting in a steadfastness of mind, courage and assurance; to hope and wait for salvation with joy and full confidence. As such, it is the proof and test of things we cannot see.
Faith is more than a feeling; more than a decision. The LORD is its foundation. It is effectual to our becoming the people of God. It is the proof and test of the supernatural.
Having laid this portion of our foundation, we can now – with greater clarity – weigh the importance of faith that is toward God.
Faith Toward God
People have faith in many things, most of them gods of another kind. Some have faith that their team will make the playoffs; or faith in a particular presidential candidate. People of “other faiths” believe in Allah, Buddha and thousands of other deities. Society works hard to train us to have faith in ourselves.
Obviously, faith alone is not enough.
Similarly, Christian faith can be misdirected. Some Christians have faith in their faith; that it will save them. Others have faith in their Christian Leaders; that they will lead them into salvation. This is faith in the wrong direction.
Faith in faith, and faith in leaders, is not enough.
The way the writer of Hebrews phrased this principle is interesting. Why not “faith in God”? After all, Jesus told the disciples, “Have faith in God.” Faith in God is important faith.
As best as I can tell, this is not a matter of translation. There is something more here. The Holy Spirit inspired the use of the word “toward” to encourage and convict us.
Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which the Lord your God has forbidden you. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:23-24
Teams, politicians, leaders, etc. are the carved images of our day. Faith (aka, belief and trust) toward the things of this world is faith away from God. God’s jealousy for His children cannot be overstated. Let’s not be deceived: He is not willing to share the pleasure of our faith with anything or anyone.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
Our faith and God’s pleasure are bound together for eternity. This is the essence of faith toward God: The utter dependence on Him for all that is required for our faith to come alive in our relationship with Him. It is surrendering to His work; trusting Him to know and do what is best.
This life of full faith – and faithfulness – toward God is His reasonable expectation. Conversely, it is unreasonable for us to expect His reward if we do not have full faith – and faithfulness – toward Him.
God bless you with wisdom and courage to put away all other faiths.
Humbly yours and forever His,
