{"id":717,"date":"2009-12-05T00:17:22","date_gmt":"2009-12-04T18:17:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.returningking.com\/?p=717"},"modified":"2009-12-05T00:17:22","modified_gmt":"2009-12-04T18:17:22","slug":"the-elements-of-the-gospel-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/?p=717","title":{"rendered":"The Elements of the Gospel: Faith"},"content":{"rendered":"
This entry is part 13 of 13 in the series Pastoral Soteriology<\/a><\/div>

(This post is a continuation of the Pastoral Soteriology Series.\u00a0 It assumes pre-requisite reading of earlier posts, and will be followed by additional posts.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"While grace is the overriding precondition of the gospel<\/a>, scripture unyieldingly asserts that faith is the necessary component by which salvation is applied to the sinner\u2019s account.\u00a0 Ephesians 2:8 notes both elements quite clearly, asserting, \u201cit is by grace that you have been saved, through faith<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0 Likewise, Hebrews 11:6 notes that \u201cwithout faith it is impossible to please God,\u201d demanding that God\u2019s acceptance of man in some way hinges on the existence of essential faith.\u00a0 While faith in no way trumps grace – nor can it exist outside of grace – it is nonetheless a required component of the gospel which cannot be subverted.\u00a0 One simply cannot be saved without faith.<\/p>\n

The Substance of Faith<\/h4>\n

The term \u201cfaith\u201d is translated from the Greek term, pistis, <\/em>(pis\u2019-tis), which is roughly defined as \u201cpersuasion,\u201d \u201cconviction (of a truth),\u201d or \u201creliance.\u201d\u00a0 Inherent in this definition is the necessity that one must have a foundational \u201cbelief\u201d in something for such persuasion or reliance to depend.\u00a0 Yet, such should not be understood as a merely academic though process, but an active<\/em> conviction<\/em> which is inspired by true confidence.\u00a0 One may believe it is going to rain on a given day, yet not strongly enough that he changes his plans or carries an umbrella under his arm.\u00a0 In such cases, a static rational belief exists, yet the biblical burden of a demonstration of faith has not been met.<\/p>\n

As presented in scripture, faith is best understood as a two-tiered mechanism incorporating not only a foundational assertion<\/em> of a certain truth, but also a reciprocating and dynamic response<\/em> to such conviction.\u00a0 As such, biblical faith demands that the aforementioned man (who believes it is going to rain) arm himself with boots, a raincoat and an altered schedule for the day\u2019s events.\u00a0 His belief is not merely an intellectual position but a life-altering certainty of mind and will.<\/p>\n

The foundation of belief as a component of faith is clear enough in passages such as Galatians 3:22, noting that salvation is \u201cgiven through faith in Jesus Christ\u2026to those who believe.\u201d\u00a0 Likewise, as noted moments ago, Hebrews 11:6 states that \u201cwithout faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and rewards those who earnestly seek him.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yet, faith is not merely theoretical.\u00a0 It is also practical.\u00a0 A second component of faith \u2013 beyond static conviction – is present in scripture which propels one\u2019s cognitive position into an operational status.\u00a0 In conjunction to a compelling belief, sincere faith necessarily requires a compulsory response.\u00a0 Thus, the second tier of biblical faith is that of \u201coperation,\u201d or a properly produced response to one\u2019s belief.<\/p>\n

James describes the paradigm in this way:<\/p>\n

James 2:14-17 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n14 <\/sup>What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 <\/sup>Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 <\/sup>If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 <\/sup>In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.<\/span><\/p>\n

James clearly identifies a connection between one\u2019s supposed belief system and an appropriately motivated response to its foundational tenets.\u00a0 James almost ridicules \u201csuch faith\u201d one would assume to be based in intellect alone, noting that \u201cfaith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.\u201d\u00a0 This dead faith is described as that which \u201ca man claims to have\u201d if no deeds follow it.\u00a0 Plainly a dividing line exists between clinically \u201cbelieving\u201d and\/or articulating something and concretely \u201cdoing\u201d something.\u00a0 \u201cSuch faith,\u201d as James calls it, is illegitimate if not accompanied by a proper response.<\/p>\n

To further illustrate, James goes on to say,<\/p>\n

James 2:18-19 (NIV)
\n<\/strong>18 <\/sup>But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 <\/sup>You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n

There exists a great chasm then between simply declaring a belief and having a response-oriented and \u201cliving\u201d faith; a chasm stretching the vast distance between God\u2019s beloved children and the demonic realm itself!\u00a0 For \u201ceven the demons believe (that there is one God) and shudder.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 What demon exists who does not believe in God?\u00a0 What demon lurks who does not believe that Christ is the Son of God and that he was crucified, buried and resurrected?\u00a0 Not only do the demons believe such things \u2013 they know<\/em> such truths intimately!\u00a0 They were in attendance<\/em> when God spoke the earth.\u00a0 They were witnesses<\/em> to the fall of man, the establishment of the covenants and the very life, death, burial and resurrection of Christ himself.\u00a0 Their \u201cbelief\u201d \u2013 as far as stagnant clinical knowledge goes \u2013 is unassailable in its clarity.\u00a0 Yet they remain utterly condemned; according to James no different than one who claims a belief without action.\u00a0 James could not have made a finer illustration of his point.\u00a0 Faith requires response.\u00a0 It is not based entirely upon right thinking – though right thinking is certainly required \u2013 but upon the product of right thinking.<\/p>\n

Jesus noted this principle as follows:<\/p>\n

John 14:12a (NIV) <\/strong>
\n12 <\/sup>I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 assertion concerning one\u2019s demonstration of faith was not that one would merely \u201cthink like I\u2019ve been thinking,\u201d but that one would \u201cdo what I have been doing.\u201d\u00a0 While belief is certainly an element of faith, the response that such belief should inspire cannot be separated out of legitimate faith.<\/p>\n

Paul concurs in Romans 1:5 that,<\/p>\n

Romans 1:5 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n5 <\/sup>Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.<\/span><\/p>\n

The faith he speaks of produced the response of obedience, not right thinking alone.\u00a0 Faith is a belief which motivates<\/em> one to action.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The faith \u201chall of fame\u201d in Hebrews 11 is a veritable treatise of this principle in action.\u00a0 Each are commended for their faith.\u00a0 Each believed God \u2013 and responded appropriately.\u00a0 (v4) By faith Abel offered<\/em> a better sacrifice than Cain.\u00a0 (v7) By faith Noah built<\/em> an ark.\u00a0 (v8) By faith Abraham obeyed and went<\/em> to the place he was called.\u00a0 (v17) By faith he offered<\/em> Isaac as a sacrifice.\u00a0 (v20) By faith Isaac blessed<\/em> Jacob and Esau.\u00a0 (v23) By faith Moses\u2019 parents hid him<\/em>.\u00a0 (v29) By faith the people (Israel) passed through<\/em> the Red Sea.\u00a0 In these circumstances men are commended for their faith \u2013 which was demonstrated through their procedural response<\/em> to that which they believed.\u00a0 Would Israel have been commended for their faith if they refused to set foot into the Red Sea?\u00a0 Would Abraham be commended for his faith had he denied the journey to which God called him?\u00a0 Would Moses parents be celebrated for refusing to put him in the bulrushes? \u00a0In every circumstance where faith is exhibited in scripture it is something which yields a lifestyle commitment to the profession of one\u2019s belief.<\/p>\n

Much could be addressed in churches today concerning the functional definition of faith as it is revealed in scripture.\u00a0 It seems that a tendency to highlight one component over another is a continual boon to the false conversion industry.\u00a0 In some cases, static belief is highlighted to the exclusion of active response.\u00a0 In these cases, \u201cright thinking\u201d trumps necessary response. \u00a0\u201cJust believe that Jesus is God\u2019s son.\u00a0 Believe he died on the cross and that he rose again \u2013 and you will be saved.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 While such belief is essential<\/em>, it has brought the intended convert only to an equal stead with the demonic kingdom; that of intellectual acknowledgement of the truth.\u00a0 To others, an unhealthy focus on the \u201caction step\u201d of faith is exhibited to the exclusion of having right beliefs.\u00a0 They appeal for people to \u201cpray this prayer\u201d or \u201cwalk the isle\u201d \u2013 or better yet, do both!\u00a0 All too frequently people are called to an active response at emotional altars without the slightest cognitive acquiescence to that which should be propelling them to such deed.\u00a0 Myriads are preaching a \u201cnew\u201d gospel today which decries that \u201cto be Christian is to do the things Jesus did.\u201d\u00a0 Such statements are half truths at best.\u00a0 While one who has saving faith will do the things that Jesus did<\/em> (as Jesus noted), one can also do the types of things Jesus did without any belief whatsoever in whom Jesus was.\u00a0 If the performance of certain deeds is sufficient for salvation, then salvation is indeed by works- not grace through faith.\u00a0 Faith requires a foundational belief which leads one to<\/em> action.<\/p>\n

Over the course of years I have come to a short but inclusive definition of faith from a biblical perspective.\u00a0 That working definition is that faith is \u201ca belief which motivates one to action.\u201d\u00a0 This simple characterization understands that one first believes and becomes therefore compelled to respond.\u00a0 Without action faith is dead.\u00a0 Without belief only dead works are achievable.\u00a0 It is belief to the point of action which is required of one to be brought into the Kingdom of God.<\/p>\n

The Stipulation of Faith<\/h4>\n

Enduring in today\u2019s widely debated field of soteriology are those who declare that faith is not essential for one\u2019s salvation. \u00a0To some extremists, the requirement of faith for salvation in some way hinders the doctrinal proclamation that salvation is by grace alone.\u00a0 Such are human arguments rather than biblical ones, however.\u00a0 Scripture makes no attempt to dumb down its teachings so that they fit neatly into one\u2019s acceptable doctrinal platform.\u00a0 Scripture claims that salvation is by grace through faith<\/em>.\u00a0 Furthermore, as this series continues it will be revealed clearly that scripture declares specific certainties will exist<\/em> for all who are truly redeemed; including repentance, the Lordship of Christ and the love for Christ.\u00a0 While it may be argued whether these elements are pre-justification or post-justification, it cannot be argued with scriptural integrity that one can be a true believer in Christ and not confess him Lord of all- nor can one be in Christ without engaging his sinful condition with repentance (the response of faith).\u00a0 But, I\u2019m getting ahead of myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The doctrines declaring the application of faith as a requirement for ones salvation permeate the New Testament.\u00a0 Already noted is Ephesians, which determines declaratively that it is \u201cthrough faith\u201d one is saved by grace.<\/p>\n

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n8 <\/sup>For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God\u2014<\/span><\/p>\n

Likewise, Paul writes in his mini gospel treatise in Romans 3 that righteousness comes \u201cthrough faith in Jesus Christ,\u201d while still asserting wholeheartedly that justification is given \u201cfreely by his grace.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Romans 3:22-24 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n22 <\/sup>This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 <\/sup>for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 <\/sup>and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Those who claim faith as an \u201caddition\u201d to grace must tread these texts very carefully; that their doctrine does not deny its source.<\/p>\n

The author of Hebrews notes the distinction between those who hear the gospel and are saved and those who hear it and remain lost in their sins.\u00a0 He states,<\/p>\n

Hebrews 4:2 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n2 <\/sup>\u2026 we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.<\/span><\/p>\n

Akin to James\u2019 demons who believed and yet had not faith, here again the absence of faith relegates those who heard a right message to continue under God\u2019s wrath<\/a>.\u00a0 It is \u201cbecause (they) did not combine (the gospel) with faith\u201d that the message was of no saving value to them.<\/p>\n

Faith is an essential element of the gospel.\u00a0 Without it no one can be saved.\u00a0 \u00a0Faith depends on one believing the right message of the gospel and properly responding to such belief (which will be discussed in future posts) \u2013 all of which never leave the confines of God\u2019s providential grace.\u00a0 Such faith is foundational, as Paul\u2019s Damascus Road conversation with Christ revealed:<\/p>\n

Acts 26:15-18 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n15 <\/sup>“Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 <\/sup>‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 <\/sup>I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 <\/sup>to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’<\/span><\/p>\n

The Source of Faith<\/h4>\n

Since faith is required for salvation then, one\u2019s natural focus might next be aimed at determining where or how such faith may be acquired.\u00a0 Are there certain steps one must take in order to secure such faith for oneself?\u00a0 Is there a proper pursuit which would lead one into a status whereby faith could be raised up?\u00a0 The short answer is \u201cno.\u201d\u00a0 There is nothing a man can do to establish himself as a candidate for faith; it is an ability which God provides to man by grace, the overriding condition of salvation<\/a>.\u00a0 God\u2019s grace supersedes any and all other elements of the gospel, thus making one\u2019s salvation \u201cnot from yourselves,\u201d but \u201cthe gift of God.\u201d<\/p>\n

Faith, like grace, is God\u2019s own work.\u00a0 Let me quickly retort however that this does not eliminate man\u2019s responsibility in the gospel transaction, as some are quick to assert.\u00a0 The point being made at this time is that man cannot produce<\/em> his own capacity for faith in Christ.\u00a0 Christ produces faith capacity within man. \u00a0Scripture indicates that it is God\u2019s word which He provides as the source of such enablement.<\/p>\n

Paul notes this dynamic clearly in Romans 10:16-17 concerning Israel\u2019s hearing of the gospel of Christ.<\/p>\n

Romans 10:16-17 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n16 <\/sup>But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 <\/sup>Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

This text reveals clearly both the opportunity of faith granted by Christ\u2019s word and the responsibility attributed to those who hear it.\u00a0 If \u201cfaith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ\u201d then none are capable of such faith outside of having heard from Christ directly through his word.\u00a0 Even so, not all who heard accepted the good news, indicating the responsibility given to man for the application of the faith opportunity God provides.<\/p>\n

John also contends that the hearing of the word is the vessel by which God provisions faith.\u00a0 He states,<\/p>\n

John 20:30-31 (NIV)<\/span><\/strong>
\n30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 testimony was thus written by John \u201cthat you may believe\u201d and \u201cthat by believing you may have life in his name.\u201d\u00a0 This belief – a fundamental component of faith \u2013 was acquired by God\u2019s own work of the provisioning of his word through John\u2019s testimony.\u00a0 Once again \u201cthe message is heard through the word of Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul further illustrates this truth as he reminds Timothy,<\/p>\n

2 Timothy 3:15 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n\u2026how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, the opportunity for faith comes by God\u2019s own power through the hearing of the message.\u00a0 This message is commonly referred to as \u201cthe gospel,\u201d or \u201cthe good news.\u201d\u00a0 The gospel is God\u2019s word concerning God\u2019s grace which was revealed through the provision of the substitutionary atonement of the righteous Christ<\/a>.\u00a0 Calls to faith are granted by the Lord himself by grace \u2013 from first to last \u2013 yet man remains accountable for his response.\u00a0 This faith is provisioned by God through the preaching of the gospel; the very means by which God reveals himself to those who will exercise their faith.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Romans 1:16-17 (NIV) <\/strong>
\n16 <\/sup>I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 <\/sup>For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This entry is part 13 of 13 in the series Pastoral Soteriology<\/a><\/div>

(This post is a continuation of the Pastoral Soteriology Series.\u00a0 It assumes pre-requisite reading of earlier posts, and will be followed by additional posts.) While grace is the overriding precondition of the gospel, scripture unyieldingly asserts that faith is the necessary component by which salvation is applied to the sinner\u2019s account.\u00a0 Ephesians 2:8 notes both […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13,18],"tags":[72,90,168],"series":[210],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/717"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=717"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/717\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=717"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/returningking.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fseries&post=717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}