FOUNDATIONS
The principles of the doctrine of Christ.
Part 3 - Faith
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
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.
1. WHAT IS FAITH
Faith is that which enables us to believe GOD. Faith is how we can be certain of things which we cannot see. The certainty is rooted in the nature of the one who has spoken. We do not put our trust in anyone, just because they said something. A man who has is unable to correctly relate a fact, or has intentionally lied about a fact, is not to be believed. We would not have faith in that man. But GOD cannot lie; HE has perfect understanding of everything (past, present, and future), and HE is good. Therefore HE is deserving and infinitely worthy of our faith. This is why unbelief is such a heinous sin; because it is an attack on the character of GOD. Unbelief is declaring that GOD is either not good, or not wise. But HE is good and wise. HIS words are truth and life.
Having faith in GOD means believing what GOD has said. Faith looks at the word of GOD and says, ‘I know this is true, these words are to be believed’! GOD and HIS word are the objects of our faith. There must always be an object of faith. We cannot just believe without having something to believe in. For example, the following things must be believed, because they are in GOD’s word:
- that GOD is ABLE to do everything HE has said
- that GOD WILL do everything HE has said
- that JESUS CHRIST is who HE said HE is, i.e. the son of GOD, the Messiah
- that CHRIST died for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day
We must read GOD’s word in order to know what to believe. Without the knowledge of the word of GOD, it is impossible to have faith. Thomas Watson said, “A man can no more believe without knowledge than the eye can see without light.” (1).
We must have faith because we cannot come to GOD unless we believe that HE is who HE says HE is. ‘Coming to GOD’ begins with confessing our sin and acknowledging our complete inability to save ourselves. As the psalmist said, “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” (2). This change in thinking leads to a renouncing of self. ‘Coming to GOD’ also includes obeying HIS commands, which is a change in our actions. Changing our thinking, and changing our actions, as we have seen in part 2 of this series, is repentance. So without faith in GOD, we cannot repent.
So we must have faith, because without faith you cannot please GOD. Unbelief is a declaration that GOD is common; it is an insult to HIS honor and glory. Faith in GOD brings glory to GOD and is a declaration of HIS holiness. Faith enables us to come to GOD in repentance. Faith enables us to believe that HE is willing to forgive our sins because Jesus Christ bought that forgiveness by suffering the wrath of GOD in our place. Faith justifies us because faith in CHRIST provides us with the righteousness of CHRIST.
Acts 16:31 KJV
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
2. WHERE DOES FAITH COME FROM
Faith comes from GOD. Faith is a grace. “A true justifying faith [is] of the operation of GOD” (3).
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
We are saved by grace, not works. No one can boast. We must believe in GOD and on the Lord Jesus Christ to receive the gift of salvation. But the faith with which we believe is also a gift of GOD, it is not of ourselves. Because faith comes from GOD, we should pray, as the father of the child prayed with tears, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief! (4).
We also know that GOD’s word tells us who HE is. We must read GOD’s word so that we may know HIM, that we may believe in HIM, that we may have eternal life.
John 17:3 KJV
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Pray for faith, and read GOD’s word.
3. HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE HAVE FAITH
The following are characteristics of true, justifying faith:
- we treasure Christ, and value HIM beyond all things
- we renounce sin daily, and strive for holiness
- we obey GOD's commands
- we conform more each day to the image of CHRIST
- we grow stronger in faith
4. CONCLUSION
Faith means believing what GOD has said; we must read HIS word to know what to believe. We can have faith in GOD because of HIS character; HE is the only one in whom we can have faith. We must have faith to renounce self and repent of our sin. We must have faith to rely completely on the Lord Jesus. We must have faith in order to repent and believe!
Mark 1:15 KJV
[Jesus said,] The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
So pray for faith, labor for faith, because without faith it is impossible to please GOD.
REFERENCES
(1) Thomas Watson, A Body Of Divinity, part 3, chapter 2, p52
(2) Psalms 38:4, KJV
(3) Thomas Watson, A Body Of Divinity, part 6, chapter 1, p174
(4) Matthew 9:24, KJV