In writing the letter we know as Second Peter, Simon Peter addressed it to those who "have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ…" (2 Peter 1:1). When we consider that phrase today, we realize that it must include not only those who were alive at the time, but also those who have come after, following the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. These are those who Jesus called "blessed" in the verse referenced at the beginning of this article. The Bible has much to say about faith, far more than the scope of this article. Nevertheless, we will look at some of the aspects of faith here.
First, it is good to have an idea of what we are talking about. The Scripture defines faith in this way, "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," Hebrews 11:1. Vines Expository Dictionary says of faith, "Pistis: primarily, firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing (akin to peitho, to persuade), is used in the N.T. always of faith in God or Christ, or things spiritual." These two definitions are in agreement, as faith lets us believe in those things which we cannot see.
The Bible is clear on faith, saying, "…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," Hebrews 11:6. James 2:24 says, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
Man does not always follow what the book says on the subject, though. On one side of the argument we find those who say faith is unneccesary and that man can do all that needs to be done himself. They teach that man evolved from lower species and that he is the pinnacle of evolution. In the scripture we find those who, "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man…" Romans 1:22-23. This passage speaks of those who abandon God’s wisdom for man’s and would seem as appropriate for those who today teach evolution as of those ancients who worshipped idols.
On the other end of the spectrum we have those who say that faith is the only thing we need. The doctrine that these adhere to is, "faith only". This phrase does appear in the bible, as stated above, in James 2:24. Note that it is preceded by the modifier, "NOT."
Faith that is pleasing to God, however is as it is described in the Bible. . Already mentioned is Hebrews 11:6, "…without faith it is impossible to please him." Add to that James 1:6-7 which says, "…let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." Finally, consider James 2:19-22, "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? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"
Without proper scriptural faith, faith that will do the works that God has commanded, there is no "substance of things hoped for," or "evidence of things not seen." Can you count yourself among those who Jesus called "Blessed" in John 20:29?
Until next time, let me encourage you to search the scriptures daily, whether these things are so. Acts 17:11
May God bless you in your study of his Word.
Copyright March 2000 Mance J. Davis Jr.
