Biblical Faith

Without faith, it is impossible to please God, the writer of Hebrews declares. But what is faith, and what does it look like when it appears? Is it something I believe only, or does it require works? James, the brother of Jesus, tackled this issue in his letter to the Jewish believers. Faith is more than a mental exercise. It is more than me saying, "I believe." Let's look at the scriptures and see what it declares to us by the Holy Spirit.

James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
James 2:15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
James 2:16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
James 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

We need biblical faith. We need faith that can move mountains and change atmospheres. We need faith that takes a risk and is full of boldness. This is biblical faith.

Biblical faith is not controlled by senses but by the word of God. It is not a mental faith but a heart faith that is full of actions. This is the point that the Apostle James is making.

Biblical faith gets you hated in the world. Maybe this is why so many people back off? It is safe in the Church, some times, but rarely safe in the world.

Jesus told us what we could do with faith.

Matt. 17:20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Paul told us that having faith without love was good for nothing. However, Paul was not telling us to love and be void of faith. He was telling us to make sure that with our faith, we also have love. The Church focuses on love all the time but leaves faith out. God's kind of faith has action behind it. It is not mentally obtained but a spiritual force to be apprehended.

Peter told us to add to our faith 2 Peter 1. Again, not at the cost of faith, but in addition to it. Faith makes no provision for unanswered prayer. Faith makes no plan B. Biblical faith is trust in Christ and no alternative.

James goes further and says that works will justify you along with faith.

James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
James 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
James 2:22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God.
James 2:24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

When men teach that you are justified apart from works, they are not telling the full truth. We are not justified by works alone. Faith in the finished work of Jesus is the beginning, but actions are to follow. Abraham was justified by faith and works. Jesus made atonement for us and sanctified us. However, faith alone makes for a foolish Christian.

Love is not speech only. Jesus talked about this, as well.

Matt. 15:8 "These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me."

Jesus said this about love.

John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." (Bold added)

Love has an action as well. This makes perfect sense that Paul states that the Father demonstrated His love through works.

Rom. 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Works prove the existence of faith so that the very actions you do by faith are visible. We are not earning our righteousness but showing its presence. It is time to have biblical faith that has works that follow. Faith declares the Word of God to be supreme. It is time for the Church to awaken its true calling, heeding the wisdom of Jude.

Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Contend today and make no provisions for anything else.

In Love,

Louis