Faith vs. Justifying Faith

We are going to focus on one thing this week. Justifying faith. Looking specifically at this verse, “Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”” (, ESV)

Is a simple knowledge of the truth good enough to save? How can I be sure that my faith is strong enough? What should I do if I fear may faith is not strong enough? What can I do to ensure the faith of my spouse, children, family, friends and coworkers? These questions have, will or are plaguing all believers in the One True God. It isn’t that we doubt, or always doubt, the Word of God. It is more along the lines of, “How do I know for sure for myself?” This is the temptation of the devil!

Faith as described in the Scripture is not always talking about justifying faith. There is general faith. This is where King Agrippa believes in the prophets () but does not believe in Jesus as God’s Son. He believed in the history as a source of knowledge only. Today we might say this is the Muslims who believe Jesus existed but not as the Son of God, or the Jews who say He was an erring Rabbi, or the Jehovah Witnesses who say Jesus is God’s son, just not true God, or the Mormons who say He is just one of the many sons of God. To believe in something in “general” is not justifying faith. It might be like looking at a board spanning over a gap. Yes, I have faith that it is a board does not mean you have faith that it will hold you up if you cross on it.

Scripture also talks about faith in good gifts of God as well. The miracles of Jesus for instance. The people were crowding around and pressing in Jesus to receive healing or to be fed. They believed in His power to heal and make them physically better, but they lacked faith in Him to save them eternally. It is like the quickly passing faith of people today who love God until they have trouble. Or, they return to God only with evidence in their physical lives of God’s work: I am better off, I have more money, my children adore me, my spouse is good to me, etc. Faith in created things as the evidence of God is not justifying faith. It can even believe that God is Father and is in charge of all things, but that does not mean that you believe in His Son.

Scripture also tells us of dead faith or faith without works. This is when people say that they believe that Jesus is the world’s redeemer but will not lift a hand to help neighbor. They have not really been converted or good works would flow from faith. The letters of James and to Timothy and Titus tells us that if there are no good works, then this is not faith. This is evidenced in our world when Christians are only concerned about themselves and not their neighbors. Where they do not see good works as something for them to do. When they will not reconcile with others granting the forgiveness of sins and then using all their efforts and possessions for others. This is proclamation of belief without any action is not justifying faith.

This should put us on edge. We should wonder if we have justifying faith and be concerned about it. So, what do we do about it? We learn from the Word of God what true faith is, where it comes from and how we protect this precious gift that comes from God.

Faith defined simply: assent to the entire Word of God as it has been given to us! This is believing that the Word of God is absolutely true because He is the Author of it. He is praised for His truthfulness because He is beyond all limitations. That means that justifying faith trusts in things that are not seen, it does not rely on the judgment of our senses or ability for us to prove it, it does recognize it with the reason of heart and mind, but does not consider it a mere opinion anything that has been revealed by the Word of God.

Justifying faith ascents to the Word of God as it looks to the goal of all Scripture. That goal? Salvation that has been granted to man through the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Material Principle is this. That all of Scripture provides two teachings. Law and Gospel. Both are adored by the Christian. The Law brings the recognition of sins. It condemns the sinner, or all men, and brings them to realize their dreadful condition. The Gospel, on the other hand, instructs us on the twofold benefit of Christ, reconciliation and renewal, known as Sanctification.

Through this Word and the working of the Holy Spirit the exercise of faith takes place. That it no longer is an abstract idea, but a reality brought to the individual heart of man.

1. First is the fact that what God says can be understood. Not that all Scripture is crystal clear to us, but that we can hear the word, our minds and grasp the meaning of the words and we can understand. When the Word says, “Christ died for sinners.” You can then say, “I know what Christ did! He died for sinners!”

2. The second part of justifying faith is that the person who then hears this Word of God then says, “This is for me.” They see in the Word of God themselves being spoken to or about.

3. The third part of justifying faith is that once you know that this is for all men, including you, then you seek the benefits of what it delivers. You will not only see the Scriptures that tell you what has been done for you, but where you go to find those benefits. Knowing, by the Law, that you need the Gospel.

4. Fourth, is that you flee toward the throne of God’s grace where you realize that your station in life has no impact on what you receive there. Once shed of your sin through confession you now cling to all the gifts of grace that are placed before you.

5. Finally, justifying faith has peace. Peace in the realization that though the earth give way, though all things be gone, Christ victory has still won for you salvation.

Again, let us emphasize that does not mean you have to have some overwhelming emotional state. It is not in a victory march in this world. In fact…

1. It is often shown in weakness and even in death. The object of it suffered and died. So also justifying faith is often the smoldering wick.

2. It is immensely stronger than its appearance if it is clinging to Christ. It is bound to Christ and the will of God.

3. It may be that God has taken away the feelings of comfort and joy so that your faith is firmly resting on Him alone.

In all of this we recognize that no part of justifying faith is brought about by the will of man. It is the Holy Spirit who kindles, nourishes, increases and preserves our assent in mind and the trust of our will. So even to say we believe and to will it, is not our work. These things go together:

1. God offering, giving, and pouring out His Word and Sacraments

2. Faith apprehending and receiving what was given.

There are three elements in faith:

1. The general assent

2. Laying hold on Christ the Mediator

3. Efficacy of faith through good works

Now, let us return to the questions from before. Is a simple knowledge of the truth good enough to save? How can I be sure that my faith is strong enough? What should I do if I fear may faith is not strong enough? What can I do to ensure the faith of my spouse, children, family, friends and coworkers?

The answer is simple. Read the Word of God and pray, or hear it read by pastor and listen to him pray. Meditate on the Word of God or hear it explained by pastor. Understand that the devil will arrive to tempt you to fall away from the truth. This tempting is allowed by God that you might start the cycle again. Hear the Word of God and pray. Meditate on the Word of God and ponder what He says. See that the devil has come to tempt you again.