“What is faith?”
“What is it for?”
“How do I know I have it?”
“Where does it come from?”
Seriously, what would you tell someone who challenged you with these questions? How did you share the answers with your children and others you are discipling? Did you leave them wondering?
Did you quote them a Bible verse?
Now faith is the substance (or, realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (or, confidence) of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Yes, that is a nice and succinct definition – straight from the Bible; but what does it mean?
And what about the other questions? And the ones that will follow?
Is faith just for salvation? Then how does it work?
Is faith a feeling? A mindset?
It seems “faith” has become a mystery to many in the church. Tragically, our lack of understanding inhibits the exercise of our faith. Why is that? Well, let me ask you another question (I promise, it is the last one):
Would you give a gift to someone who had no interest in understanding and using it?
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God… Ephesians 2:8
It is time we search out the gift and mystery of our faith – that we might be faithful stewards of its mystery, and enjoy the promises of its gifting to the full.
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1Corinthians 4:1-2
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 6:8
For he (Barnabas) was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. Acts 11:24
The mystery of faith is that faith is a process. As we’ve said, God has a way (aka, process) for everything. God’s ways are always the best ways. Failing to understand and employ God’s ways inhibits our participation in His good works.
The process of faith is necessary for much – if not all – of our Christian life. Having been saved through faith (by grace), we also discover that we are to live by faith (Romans 1:17), to walk by faith (2Corinthians 5:7), to fight the good fight of faith (1Timothy 6:12), to take up the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16), and to overcome the world by faith (1John 5:4). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6); and whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23).
For the process of faith to be effectual, one must accept (with their mind) and believe (with their heart) that faith is a process. This will be difficult for many; for faith has become more of an event in the modern church; something akin to a decision, or choice.
While decision and choice are important parts of faith (faith is impossible without them), they are arguably the less important steps in the process. They seem more important to us because they are our biggest part. However, as we will learn, deciding and choosing to believe are minor, simple, and easy steps in this dynamic process.
For example, consider the “decision” people are encouraged to make for their salvation. Who allowed and orchestrated the circumstances, and influenced the lives of people and principalities, to get them to such an important decision? Is it not the Holy Spirit that convicts and draws a person to Christ?
Is the fateful decision the end of our salvation? Good heavens, let’s hope not! Are we not being saved (present tense; 1Corinthians 1:18)? Shall we not be saved (future tense; Romans 5:10)?
Indeed, faith is a journey, and not only for our ultimate salvation. God’s purposes go far beyond the problem of our rebellion. We have been created as His workmanship, to walk in His good works (Ephesians 2:10).
God has provided (or will provide) faith for every commandment recorded in Scripture, and for those He speaks to us along the way (e.g., go to Africa, help that woman, stay away from that man). Every bit of that faith begins with His word and ends with His good work – towards us, in us, and through us.
Think about that for a minute. Everything that God and Jesus have commanded us to do, They do through the process of faith. This leaves us with one very basic and important question, “How do we participate with them in that process?”
Of course, our intention is to answer that question. We begin by describing the three basic phases described in the Scriptures.
The Hearing of Faith:
And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” Matthew 13:10-11
The hearing of faith is the privilege of every disciple of Jesus Christ. Our King encourages us throughout the Gospels that “he who has ears to hear, let him hear!”, and warns us through His messages to the seven churches of Revelation, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Having ears to hear (and eyes to see) differentiates us from the world. Indeed, we should invest more time listening to the One who loves speaking with His children.
Obedience to the Faith:
Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name… Romans 1:5
Notice the preposition used here; it is more than a grammatical technicality that our obedience is “to the faith”, and not “of the faith”. Those who have been given the hearing of faith owe an obedient response to the faith that comes from God’s word. Corporately, the carnal mind has done much to deceive and distract the people of God from our obedience to the faith. It is high time we gave more attention to this phase of the process.
The Work of Faith:
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2Thessalonians 1:11-12
The work of faith is the good work of God which He created us to walk in. There is no need for controversy here. James speaks extensively about the relationship and purpose of work and faith. Jesus did the same; see the parable of the sheep and goats for one of many examples (Matthew 25:31-46). Here, Paul clarifies that the work of faith is “with power”. We could certainly use more of that kind of faith in these desperate days.
We will search deeper into the mystery and journey of faith in our next article. In the meantime, allow yourself this encouragement and challenge:
With whom would God have you share this new understanding of faith?
Recall at least a couple of times in your life when you experienced the full process of faith. It might be something seemingly insignificant (e.g., talking to someone in the grocery line), or life-changing (e.g., going on a mission trip, or taking that job).
Read James 1:21-25 and 2:14-26. What do these challenging passages mean to you now? Are there words you have heard from God that are lying dormant in your heart?
God bless you with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; that you may know what is the hope of His calling on your life.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
#iamjustthepen