LESSON 3 PRINCIPLES OF FAITH

When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8

In prophetic glance Jesus foresaw the time of the end just before His coming and warned us that unbelief and faithlessness would be the order of the day, even among His professed followers.

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12

Despite the fact most people will receive the mark of the beast, which is a mark of rebellion, John saw in vision a remnant who would have the enabling grace of Jesus. This is made possible by a full surrender and faith in Christ.

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Romans 3:23, 27     

Let us begin to look at the Biblical principles of what faith is and how it works.

Faith defined:

Moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God. Especially reliance upon Christ for salvation, constancy in such profession. To assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty).

In theology, the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of what God has revealed. Simple belief in the scriptures, of the being and perfections of God, and the existence, character and doctrines of Christ, founded on the testimony of the sacred writers. This is called historical or speculative faith; a faith little distinguished from the belief of the existence and achievements of Alexander or of Caesar.

Evangelical, justifying or saving faith, is the assent of the mind to the truth of Divine revelation, on the authority of God’s testimony, accompanied with a cordial assent of the will or approbation of the heart; an entire confidence or trust in God’s character and declarations, and in the character and doctrines of Christ, with an unreserved surrender of the will to His guidance, and dependence on His merits for salvation …That firm belief in God’s testimony, and of the truth of the gospel, which influences the will, and leads to an entire reliance on Christ for salvation.

Faith the means by which grace is received:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

Saved—To deliver, to rescue from the power and pollution of sin.

Source of faith:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:1, 3

Faith is directed to the Word of God. Faith is then centered on the truthfulness of God and is activated by the influence of God’s grace or His Holy Spirit upon the mind and heart of man.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:3

Measure—A measure, a limited portion or degree.

God has provided a degree of faith to every individual but it requires God’s Word and the prompting of His Spirit to bring it to life. And the more we exercise or use this faith the stronger it becomes.

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14    

We see that Christ and the word of God, the Bible are the source of faith. And in mercy God has given each individual a measure of faith to be able to believe in Him and the testimony of Scripture that reveals the nature of God and the plan of salvation.

The works of faith:

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. Romans 3:31

Void—Abolish, destroy, do away.

Establish—Hold up.

We find that the law of faith will uphold the law of God, not merely outwardly but as a heart experience as well. And faith will experience that which the prophet Ezekiel spoke of as a new heart, then the law is written in the mind. (See Ezekiel 36:26–27; Hebrews 10:16.)

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2 (See also Hebrews 4:15, 16.)

Faith is the channel or door as it were to grace, or God’s unmerited favor, and to the Divine influence, which restrains and keep us from sin. Faith merits nothing but we must believe and exercise faith in accepting God’s grace that we might be pardoned and justified and strengthened.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1      

We are justified, set right and pardoned by faith, in the mercy of God.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20     

We see here that the law of faith will have Christ revealed in the life. So instead of our weakness and failings, it will be His strength and power. How is this accomplished, by the law of faith. Faith requires an act of the will to submit or surrender to the authority and leading of God’s Word and guidance of His Spirit.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3:17     

Christ can dwell in our hearts by faith, and what is the meaning of this? (See John 14:21, 23.) As we keep God’s commandments and follow His Word through His power and our faith and submission, God comes and dwells with us. Then His principles i.e. His law and Word controls and guides our daily life in thought, word, actions, and indeed all aspects of life.

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Philippians 3:9

Faith brings God’s righteousness or holiness of character into our life.

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6

The law of faith is activated and has its power only as it is motivated by love. For merely seeking to obey the Bible and follow God without love, will in the end be a fruitless endeavor.

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15

The law of faith has as its source the word of God. But this faith, if it is true, will cause us to be wise in the things of redemption, wise in knowledge and in experience, as the Spirit within us searches the deep things of God, revealing to us that which the eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard. (See 1 Corinthians 2:9.)

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 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? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 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. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:14–20, 26

We find here that in the law of faith there is a work. This work is not the source of faith; neither is the work saving in itself. Rather the law of faith brings about the works that are an evidence of true faith. You see we will live out all the faith we actually possess.

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:18

Sanctified means to be set apart for holy purposes to be morally blameless. This is the result of a daily walk of faith.

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4

By faith we overcome the world, that is the world’s manner of action, thoughts, and motives. By faith in Christ, in submission to His way and Word we overcome in our life the evil and perversity of this world. By faith we are not to “be not conformed to this world: but be … transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

Examples of faith:

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. Mark 10:46–52

• The exercise of true faith recognizes its need; by faith, we respond to Christ’s call.
• Faith surrenders and casts away its garment of self-righteousness.
• Saving faith asks for healing of the soul; faith receives power from God; and faith then follows Jesus in the way.

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Mark 5:25–34

• We learn here that faith hears, acts, and faith believes.
• Faith is not the power, it is God’s power exercised in mercy to the individual who will believe and respond to Him.

As we look at this story of faith, we can easily see the steps that led to this woman’s healing. We find she had a recognition of her need. Because of this woman’s great need she gladly heard the good news of Christ’s healing virtue. The work of faith did not stop here. The next step of faith was to act in seeking out the Savior, and then touching Him for life giving and healing power. Not until faith saw its need, faith heard, faith sought for and then touched the Savior, was the power of faith unlocked in healing of this woman’s infirmity. The steps of faith in the experience of this woman and of Bartimaeus are the same for each one who will live the life of faith.

And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Matthew 8:5–10

Notice what Jesus identified as great faith. In this Scripture we see first a request for healing on the part of the Centurion; second, a positive statement of willingness and ability on the part of Christ; and third, a positive statement of confidence and acknowledgment of that ability on the part of the Centurion.

The centurion then defines the nature of his faith and explains why he has such confidence. In his own life’s experience he sees a parallel to Christ. As a man having authority over other men, he speaks words of instruction, and that which he speaks comes to pass by virtue of his authority. If he says, “Come,” the soldier under him comes. If he says, “Go,” his men go. If he says, “Do this,” his servant does what has been commanded.

The centurion recognizes Christ’s authority and power to accomplish his request. And so he says, “Speak the word only and my servant shall be healed.” Jesus, upon hearing the request of faith that was expressed in recognition of His power and authority, “ said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour” (Matthew 8:13).

• If God’s Word says, “Come,” by faith we come. If His Word says, “Go,” we go. If the Word says, “Do this,” great faith does what that word has said.

The substance of faith:

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Substance is something that is real, something that can be experienced. The thing hoped for is “Christ within, the hope of glory.” What shall bring about this most blessed experience that seems to be beyond reach? It is faith! The fact that God’s Word contains such commands and promises as being conformed to the image of Christ, of righteousness, and holiness, is the proof that it can be experienced.

Hebrews Eleven:

Verse 4       By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice.
Verse 5       By faith Enoch was translated.
Verse 6       Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Verse 7       By faith Noah prepared an ark.
Verse 8       By faith Abraham moved.
Verse 17     By faith Abraham offered Isaac.
Verse 24     By faith Moses refused to be Pharaoh’s son; and chose to suffer with God’s people.
Verse 29     By faith the Red Sea parted.
Verse 30     By faith the walls of Jericho fell down.

Let’s note some of the aspects of a faith of substance in holy men of old. Noah obeyed God’s word despite all the evidence that spoke to the contrary, and he became a preacher of righteousness. His faith moved, built, and preached. Abel also obeyed and followed God’s will perfectly, trusting in the Lamb to come. Cain also had a form of worship but set his feelings above the plainly revealed commands of God. He had presumption while Abel had a faith of substance.

We read, by faith Abraham moved. He had no evidence except the word of God, but he acted upon the word and not by sight, for he had a faith of substance. As the children of Israel marched around the walls of Jericho, it was the most ridiculous way to conduct a war. Yet it was the word of God that bid them do so. Israel had a faith at this time that was of substance that took the word of God and followed it promptly. And what was the result in all the above acts of faith? God did that which to human eyes seemed improbable or in some cases impossible. And to those who refused God’s word, there was only disaster and great loss.

We need a faith of substance that brings obedience and trust of what God has said to a blessed reality. For remember, the Word itself is the proof that faith can accomplish that which is hoped for. What is the fruit of such a life of faith? “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:9).

Scripture teaches that the working of faith in the life is sanctification, the purifying of the heart, and righteousness motivated by love. (See Acts 26:18; Acts 15:9; Galatians 5:6; Romans 9:30.) Accordingly, faith is the victory that overcometh the world, and all that is in the world, “the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).


< Prev   Next >

Books

LTBS - Section 1

Click

LTBS - Section 2

Click

LTBS - Section 3

Click

LTBS - Section 4

Click

LTBS - Section 5

Click

LTBS - Section 6

Click

LTBS - Section 7

Click

LTBS - Section 8

Click

LTBS - Section 9

Click

LTBS - Section 10

Click