What is faith?

For our editorial lesson today I’d like to spend our time and space on that oft used and heard subject - “faith.”  When someone asks of a Bible teacher or preacher the question, “What is faith?” they’ll most likely get a reply referring them to read Hebrews 11:1 where it’s written: “Now faith is the substance (assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

And that answer is OK as far as it goes but, left by itself, that’s not far enough as I see it.  Let me explain why I say that.  Why it does not go far enough is because the answerer of the question usually doesn’t mention the verses following.  What follows verse 1 is verse 2 which reads: “For by it the people of old received their commendation.”  And then the rest of the chapter is devoted to detailing the actions on their part that commended them.

I cited James 2:18 above as an introduction to our lesson and I’d like to continue on with his words about “faith” right after that verse and you’ll note that he also says that “faith” requires action.  In fact, he too uses one of the ancients mentioned in Hebrews, Abraham, as an example of an active “faith.”  He puts it in a rhetorical question form by asking, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?”

In other words, just saying that they had “faith,” that they “believed in God” wasn’t enough.  Today we’d say that it “doesn’t cut it.”  No, they were commended by God for what they “did” and not for what they “said.”  Just like we see in Heb. 11:1, it’s our “action” that provides the evidence of our “faith.”  And James adds that without any action, without any “evidence” on our part, our “faith” is “dead” or, said another way, is “useless.”

The reason I took up another little study of this subject today is because of hearing people say that all one has to do to be saved is to “accept Jesus” in their heart.  That’s it.  Nothing is further said about actually having to “do” something.  That no “action” is required on the “accepter’s” part.  Makes salvation pretty convenient, doesn’t it?

In other words, just say that you believe in Jesus, that you have “faith” in Jesus and that’s all that’s required.  But, that’s not exactly what God says about “faith” is it?  Like James told us, if we say that we’re “faithful” but no “evidence” can be seen to prove it, then it really isn’t “faith” because “faith” requires “action.”  It requires a “doing” on our part.

Well, a “doing” equals what James refers to as “works.”  You’ll hear people say “You can’t work your way into heaven” and they are correct about that.  Correct in the sense that there is nothing we can do on our part to “merit” salvation.  To “earn” it.  It’s available to us because of the “grace” of God, based upon the “evidence” we present that we are “faithful” (IE: obedient) to the Gospel of Christ.

And, that “evidence” is seen by our “works.”  By the “actions” in our lives that commend our “faith” to God.  Just as the “works” of the “faithful”of old cited by the writer of Hebrews commended them to God. 

I guess that another way of putting it is, that their “faith” caused them, motivated them, to do what God said was pleasing to Him.  So, if you think of it in this light, if your “faith” doesn’t motivate you into “actions” that please God, it must not be much of a “faith.” 

Now, let’s get a little more specific about “faithful actions.”  We could mention a whole bunch of individual things but, let’s just cover them all by providing a short equation here.  In Matt. 17:5 God said “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”

Now let’s read some words of Jesus that relate directly to “hearing Him.”  First, in Matthew the 7th chapter, Jesus talks about how the “faithful” can be recognized, to wit: by what they produce.  By their “fruits” IE: their “works.”  And, in regards to the advice “Just say that you accept Jesus,” in verse 21 He says: “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

If you read on from there you’ll see that the ones who WILL enter the kingdom of heaven are those who “heareth” my words and “does them.”  And these people are “wise.”  Wait a minute!  What made them wise?  The “doing” of His words.  In other words, believing what He said (having “faith”) and then acting on that “faith.”  (Verse 24)

The “faithful” of old couldn’t actually see the “promised land” but, they “acted” as if they could because they believed the promises of God.  Is that any different from the way we should “act” today.  I can’t physically see heaven, but I believe, I have “faith” that it’s there because God says that it is.  And I’m going to “act” on that belief and “do” the things God says pleases Him in order to get there.  And that entails our little aforementioned equation: “hearing” His Son and “doing” what He says.  IE: produce the right “fruit” and thereby be “wise.”  That means more than just saying that I believe.  I’m required to produce evidence of that.

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey