2011.10.16.FAITH
William Akehurst
HSWC
LAB Notes:
FAITH
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Faith is a word with many meanings.
FAITHFULNESS
It can mean faithfulness: Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
TRUST
It can mean absolute trust, as shown by some of the people who came to Jesus for healing:
Luke 7:2-10 2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.
6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick..
CONDIFENT HOPE
It can mean confident hope: Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen..
A BARREN BELIEF THAT DOESN’T SHOW GOOD WORKS
or, as James points out, it can even mean a barren belief that does not result in good works:
James 2:14-26 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
PAUL’S MEANING OF SAVING FAITH
What does Paul mean when, in Romans, he speaks of saving faith?
We must be very careful to understand faith as Paul uses the word, because he ties faith so closely to salvation.
NOT SOMETHING WE DO TO EARN SALVATION
It is not something we must do in order to earn salvation, if that were true, then faith would be just one more work, and Paul clearly states that human works can never save us:
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
FAITH IS A GIFT
Instead, faith is a gift God gives us because he is saving us:
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
GOD’S GRACE SAVES US, WHEN HE SAVES US, HE GIVES US FAITH
It is God’s grace, not our faith, that saves us, in his mercy, however, when he saves us, he gives us faith—a relationship with his Son that helps us become like him. Through the faith he gives us, he carries us from death into life:
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
GRACE, NOT WORKS, WAS BASIS FOR SALVATION
Even in Old Testament times, grace, not works, was the basis of salvation. As Hebrews points out, ‘it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats really to take away sins:
Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
NOT ANIMAL SACRIFICE.
God intended for his people to look beyond the animal sacrifices to him, but all too often they, instead, put their confidence in fulfilling the requirements of the law—that is, performing the required sacrifices.
CHRIST’S SACRIFICE TRIUMPHED OVER DEATH, CANCELLED CHARGES AND OPENING THE WAY
When Jesus triumphed over death he cancelled the charges against us and opened the way to the Father:
Colossians 2:12-15 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
FAITH IS A SEED PLANTED IN US
Because he is merciful, he offers us faith. How tragic if we turn faith into a work and try to develop it on our own! We can never come to God through our own faith, any more than his OT people could come through their own sacrifices. Instead, we must accept his gracious offer with thanksgiving and allow him to plant the seed of faith within us.
From that Seed, your faith will grow. Putting your full trust in the LORD will grow your faith.
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A Devotional to Share
TODAY’S VERSE
“According to your faith be it unto you.”
Matthew 9:29
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Sometimes we get the picture that faith is some lame ridiculous kind of thinking. You know, sort of believing that getting the longer part of a wishbone will grant you a wish. That is not faith. That is superstition. The key to faith is not the faith itself but what the faith is in. We believe in the God of the universe. We have put our faith in Him and His love, wisdom and power. What better place to put it? Besides His attributes, we put our faith in His promises. God’s promises are true and we can place our trust in what He says. So what is troubling you today? What are you in need of? What situation has you stressed? Bring it to God. Talk to Him about your needs and desires. Apply God’s promises to your situation and then commit yourself to Him. Step out in faith and trust Him. Hear the words of Jesus for your life today, “According to your faith will it be done to you.”
TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your love. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me. Thank You for all Your wonderful and powerful promises. Help me today to put my complete faith and trust in You. Guide and direct me this day. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION & MEDITATION
I put my faith in God
Faith in God. Close your eyes and meditate on the phrase. Faith. Picture yourself trusting God. You are at peace knowing that He is there and that He loves you. In. Your faith is not in yourself. It is in God. It is God focused. You sense that God is there and it is wise and prudent to put your confidence in Him. God. Your faith is in God. Try to imagine the vastness of His being. Meditate on His power, love, wisdom, grace and forgiveness. He is God almighty. Think on Him and then affirm, “I put my faith in God.”
