True Faith

What is faith?

Romans 3:30–31 NASB95

since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.

Romans 4:1–5 NASB95

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,

I submit to you that faith is not just belief. but its more than just belief. It goes beyond belief. Its faith, faithfulness, loyalty, allegiance. True faith is active. It takes action.

Biblical definition of faith

Hebrews 11:1 NASB95

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Faith is trusting, relying on someone or something.

2. Faith begins with knowledge

Im not saying that faith does excludes beliefs or assenting to certain facts. We need to have knowledge in order to arrive at this saving faith this true faith.

we need the content of the faith

It does not stop there but goes beyond knowledge

Romans 10:13–15 NASB95

for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Acts 11:13–15 NASB95

“And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning.

3. Understanding and assent of the knowledge

Its an affirmation to that content of knowledge of the person and work of Jesus Christ

1 Thessalonians 4:14 NASB95

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

Romans 10:9 NASB95

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

1 Corinthians 15:3 NASB95

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

4. True faith finally consists in a positive affection for Christ and maniefests itselft in obedience

Objection to this. Some might say this is a works based slavation. it is not. It is a faith that is active and alive. fruit and good deeds flow from this true faith.

James 2:19–24 NASB95

You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

There is no contradiction between Paul and James. Abraham declared rightigheous by believeing (Faith) in God’s promise. Before Isaacc was born. Jame points to Abraham’s works’s as evidence or demonstration of his faith.

Hebrews 11:3–7 NASB95

By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.