Filling Our Faith

Introduction:

The Bible teaches that a person must believe in order to be saved and have eternal life - ;

Belief comes through instruction from the gospel of Christ -

The English words ‘believe’ and ‘faith’ come from the same Greek root/family of words: πίστις. Therefore, when you read ‘belief’ or ‘faith’ they mean the same thing since they are from the same original Greek terms. I’ve encountered some false doctrines that argue ‘belief’ is what you must have towards God, but faith is more comprehensive and would include your good works, but it is belief alone that saves you.

Stephen was a man who was “full of faith”; he was faithful -

Acts 6:5 NASB95

5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.

What is the nature of faith? It is not simply a minimalist definition of an emotional trust that does not act or do anything. Any understanding of faith that limits faith to an emotional trust or just mental acknowledgment of certain things as true, without understanding obedience as part of faith would be a very poor and shallow understanding of faith.

We need to look at the Scriptures and recognize what the Bible teaches about faith and how we can be full of faith (faithful).

Faith is Conviction

πίστις

Faith is the guiding structure for our entire life; it is what shapes our life -

Hebrews 11:1 NASB95

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

Assurance is the “essential or basic structure/nature of an entity”

Examples: Walls aren’t just put up, there is a frame that you cannot see behind the wall to support the wall; steel-caged crinoline’s for women’s dresses worn during Victorian era

“Sure”—faith is the firm belief that what we hope for really and truly exists

Conviction of things not seen

In a courtroom a judgment is made and someone may be convicted based on evidence—faith is the conviction of things not seen

Conviction that God exists, angels exist, and heroes of faith lived and died—all the things we believe but do not see—we believe because of a conviction we have that is based on evidence

How do we believe George Washington lived and was the president? Historical accounts preserve that reality.

We are convinced that the world was created in 7 literal days, Jesus was born of a virgin woman, Jesus was crucified and raised on the 3rd day based upon the testimony and evidence found in the Scriptures.

We believe the Bible because it is well attested: it is historically accurate, geographically accurate, and scientifically accurate

Faith is the structure for our lives. It is by faith that we come to realize that what exists (the created order) came into existence by the invisible God -

Without faith we cannot please God -

Hebrews 11:6 NASB95

6 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.

We MUST believe that He “is” and exists

Faith looks to the reward

A faith that does not see the need for evidence and conviction (compromise) is a faith that is lacking. Therefore, we are not full of faith as we ought to be.

Faith Loves

The book of Galatians is Paul’s defense against Judaizing teachers that observing the law of Moses was necessary for salvation. So, he argues we are saved by faith! And we are to live by faith -

Paul does not advocate salvation by faith alone, without obedience; he expects people of faith to obey the truth -

When we

Galatians 5:7 NASB95

7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

The kind of faith Paul says is a saving faith is one that works through love -

Galatians 5:6 NASB95

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.

Love for God - cf.

Love for one another - ,

When there is lack of love people turn against each other and arguments and fighting occur; gossip is one of the worst evils there is because it is motivated by selfishness, not out of genuine love and concern for someone; lack of love stirs up strife - ,

If we think we have faith, but we do not show love to God or to our fellow brothers or sisters, then we do not have the kind of faith God expects us to have.

Faith Works

James likely has the most helpful passage in the New Testament to help us see the nature of saving faith and how it is a much more comprehensive idea -

Faith is what saves and James is taking the time and space in his epistle to define saving faith -

James 2:14 NASB95

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

He is helping us understand salvation and justification - ,

There is a shallow “faith” that does not save - ,

Faith that is built upon words-only and good intentions without action

Faith that is only about affirming that God exists

If we say that we have faith, but we don’t express that faith through works and actions, then we are not faithful.

If we want to be saved, then the kind of faith we must have is an obedient and active faith:

Repentance from sin

Confession of Jesus as Lord and the Son of God

Immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins

Continued obedience and faithful living

To have a faith that is full and pleasing to God, then we must have a faith that expresses itself in obedience to the Lord.

Conclusion:

We can all be people who are full of faith, living faithfully to God!

Conviction: Examine the Scriptures and evidence that supports the rationality and belief that God exists and that He created the universe.

Love: Have a faith that expresses itself in love for one another. Be kind. Don’t grumble and complain, look for the best in people.

Work and Obey: Faith demands obedience. Obedience is part of faith.

If we lack in our conviction, love, or obedience, then we are lacking in our faith!

God invites you to live a life of faithful obedience; will you answer that invitation today?