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Faith is the substance and the evidence
shown as proof in life for our hope that inherits God's kingdom.
If we hope to inherit his kingdom, our faith must be in God who will give
us his kingdom.
We all have faith and hope. People in
all religions talk about faith and hope. In general, faith does not have
a bearing on hope. Faith and hope works separately even though they are
parallels. Usually, hope is a distant wish and faith is a strong belief.
But, in
the Bible, first we have hope and faith tailgates hope. If we do not
have a hope, there is no room for faith. Faith stands on the platform of
hope. Hope is not visible, but faith grows out of hope to be visible.
Hope is the root where faith is the tree. If there is no root, there
cannot be a tree. So also, if there is no hope, there cannot be faith.
If someone says that he has faith, ask him what his hope is. If he
stumbles for an answer, he does not have Bible faith. Faith is the proof
for hope.
Faith is our confidence that we will receive the things we hoped for,
where as our hope is our desired wish that we seek after. If our
confidence is evidently visible in the way we live, then our
confidence is living faith. If we voiced our confidence
where as the evidence is not seen in our lives, then our confidence
is dead faith. If our hope is to inherit the kingdom of God, if
the source of our confidence is God, and if we walk in the ways of God
to achieve his kingdom, then we have Godly faith, which is the faith of
the Bible. All other faiths are worldly faiths and they have nothing to
do with God. "Mark
11:22 … Jesus answering saith unto them,
Have faith in God. Heb 11:1
faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen." If our faith is not revealed
in our lives then our faith is considered dead faith, which is a mere
bluff. "James
2:26 …as the body without the spirit is
dead, so faith without works is dead also."
What
is the object of the hope of a Christian?
"1John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth
not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear,
we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
What is the work that he must do to obtain it?
"1John 3:3
And every man that hath this hope in
him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." Christians, as
children of God, hope to be glorified like Jesus Christ and to see him
at his second coming. Those who have this hope purify themselves as
Jesus Christ is pure. This self purification is the substance for their
hope and the evidence or the proof for their faith.
1Peter 1:21says,
"...by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave
him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." One
of the very important reasons that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead
and gave him glory was that we might have hope and faith in God
so that he may raise us also in the same way he has raised Jesus Christ.
"2Cor 4:14
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by
Jesus, and shall present us with you."
God
told Abraham that his covenant was with him and asked him to walk
perfect before him. He also gave circumcision to Abraham as a sign for
the covenant. "Gen
17:1 … the LORD appeared to Abram, and
said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou
perfect… 4
As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and
thou shalt be a father of many nations…
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of
your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me
and you." The scripture explains that since God already found
Abraham with faith, he made the covenant with Abraham. Here, before his
circumcision Abraham represents the entire world and after the ceremony
he represents Israel. "Romans
4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the
circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that
faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it
then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in
circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11
And he received the sign of
circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which
he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all
them that believe…" Here we see that Abraham had the
righteousness of faith even before God made the covenant with him.
Abraham did not consider his own inability, but the promise of God.
"Romans 4:19
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead…
20 … but
was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being
fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to
perform." Abraham trusted the word of God about the seed of
his son Isaac. So, he did not hesitate to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.
"Heb 11:17
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had
received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it
was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called." We see that
Abraham acted upon every promise of God by obedience; even when it came
to sacrifice his only loving son.
The faith of Abraham was to inherit the eternal
kingdom, but not for the things of this world.
"Heb 11:10
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker
is God." Our belief and faith must be like the belief and faith
of Abraham if we want to be the children of Abraham by faith.
"John 8:39
… Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the
works of Abraham."
Faith is opposite to fear. "Matt
8:23 … he was entered into a ship, his
disciples followed him. 24
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the
ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
25 And his
disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we
perish. 26
And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?
Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great
calm." It is important to notice that Jesus Christ did not ask
the disciples why they did not rebuke the wind and sea. It is the power
of God that calmed the sea. He rebuked them saying why did they fear.
Faith is opposite to doubt. "Matt
14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter
was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But
when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to
sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And
immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said
unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
Here, Peter did not walk on the water on his own strength or
faith, but because Jesus Christ had said "come."
Jesus Christ did not rebuke him because he was sinking in the
water. But, he rebuked Peter because he doubted the power of God and he
was afraid. Faith will not doubt God in danger, even in death.
Faith is opposite to worry. "Matt
6:30 … shall he not much more clothe you,
O ye of little faith? …32
For after all these things do the Gentiles
seek, for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all
these things. 33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6:25-34 is an
important passage of instruction to the servants of God. The promise of
God is that he will provide the needs of those servants who seek after
his kingdom and his righteousness.
Jesus Christ has healed the sick, cast out devils and raised the sick.
Most Christians are taught to believe that the sick people must have
faith to be healed, even though it is impossible for the demon possessed
and the dead to have faith. They use verses like
"Mark 10:52.
Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And
immediately he received his sight…" Yes, Jesus Christ healed
many people who had faith. However, he healed many who had no faith at
all. "Luke 22:50
And one of them smote the servant of the
high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus
answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and
healed him." Jesus Christ healed them all whether they have
faith or not. "Matt
8:16 … healed all that were sick:
Matt 12:15 …great multitudes followed
him, and he healed them all; Luke
4:40 …he laid his hands on every one
of them, and healed them." Jesus Christ had the power of God
in him to heal, cast the devils and to raise the dead. This power is the
one that went and healed the sick. "Luke
5:17 … as he was teaching … the power
of the Lord was present to heal them. Luke
6:19 … there went virtue out of him,
and healed them all."
Jesus Christ gave his disciples the power of God to heal, cast out
devils, etc. "Matt
10:1 … he had called unto him his twelve
disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast
them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of
disease." The apostles also healed everyone who came to them for
healing by the power of God. The sick were healed even by the shadow of
Peter. "Acts
5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the
sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the
least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them…
and they were healed every one." Stephen and Philip
healed even though they were not an apostles. "Acts
6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and
power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Acts 8:6 …
Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 …and many
taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed."
People, who never knew God, were healed. "Acts
28:8 … the father of Publius lay sick of
a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and
laid his hands on him, and healed him.
9 So when this was done, others also,
which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed."
However, ministers need faith to receive and to use the power of God.
"Acts 3:16
… through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and
know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect
soundness in the presence of you all." Even though servants of
God had faith, it was the power of God that healed and did miracles, but
it was not their faith. Though people had the faith to be healed, it
was the power of God in his servants healed them. The same power even
healed those who had no faith. So, the healer is God’s power rather
than our faith.
"Heb 1:6…without
faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him." We cannot please
God without faith and the true faith in God has two wings to fly.
(1) Our focus must be on the true
God that exists through eternity past to eternity future.
(2) We must diligently seek him by
doing his bidding of righteous works in order to receive his reward.
"Rev 22:12
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man
according as his work shall be."
"Eph
2:8 …by grace are ye saved through
faith; …it is the gift of God.” God saves his people only
through faith. “James
4:6 …God resisteth the proud, but giveth
grace unto the humble." Humble people receive the grace of God.
Grace will help them to perform the work of faith. Then through the
work of faith God saves his people. Even though salvation is a gift of
God, it is not given to those who fail to do the work of faith.
We
have seen that our faith and hope must be in God and not in another.
However, bible talks about our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ also. God
has raised Jesus Christ from the dead and made him Lord and Christ.
"Acts 2:36
… God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both
Lord and Christ." So, our faith in God should acknowledge
the lordship of Jesus Christ to obey his commandments. Then, the
obedient believers will be sanctified by their faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ, which is the obedience to his commandments. Then, they will
receive the inheritance in the kingdom of God.
"Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from
the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins,
and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that
is in me."
B.
Not to use his name in Vain
It
is sad that most Christians think that Jesus Christ will save them from
hell for the mere calling of his name or such flimsy things and
consider this as their faith in Jesus Christ. But scripture cautions
about using the name of God. "Thou shalt not
take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold
him guiltless that taketh his name in vain, (Ex 20:7)" and
"…Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity (2Tim 2:19)." If Christians use the name of
Christ without departing from iniquity then it is not faith, it is sin
and they will be punished for that sin.
Jesus Christ became a man to do the will of God.
"Heb 10:5
…when he cometh into the world, he saith,
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared
me… 7
Then said I, Lo, I come… to do thy will, O God." He put his
complete trust upon God. He obeyed God through suffering and he
became the author of salvation. "Heb
5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he
had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears
unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he
feared; 8
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience
by the things which he suffered; 9
And being made perfect, he became the
author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"
Jesus Christ endured the cross, despised his shame and he became the
author of faith. "Heb
12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God." Jesus Christ being the author of
salvation as well as the author of our faith, he wants us to look at
how he ran his race to obtain the throne of God, and to follow
his way as we run our race. He calls us
to follow his life of sufferings to sit in his throne.
"1 Peter 2:21
…hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving
us an example, that ye should follow his steps.
2 Tim 2:11 It is
a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with
him: 12
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him."
Jesus Christ humbled himself, received the grace of
God and obeyed God until the end. "Phil
2:8 … being found in fashion as a man,
he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death.
Luke 2:40 …and
the grace of God was upon him." God
has raised Jesus Christ above all things just because he humbled himself
and obeyed God, which are the work of righteousness and of faith.
"Phil 2:9
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and
given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in
earth, and things under the earth. 11
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father." God will do his good pleasure on all
those who will humble themselves and will obey God.
"Phil 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out
your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God
which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
Those who obey as he obeyed will sit in his throne as he sits in
the right hand of God the Father. "Rev
3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant
to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down
with my Father in his throne."
God
made Abraham, the father of faith, very rich. "Gen
13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle,
in silver, and in gold." His eyes were fixed on the kingdom of
God but not on his riches. "Heb
11:10 For he looked for a city which hath
foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Where are your eyes
focused?
The
devils believe God, but without the works of righteousness.
"James 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God;
thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou
know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" How about
you? Are you doing the work of righteousness by your faith?
We all have faith and hope. They will take us either
to hell or to heaven depending on what are we hoping for and what kind
of work that follows. Let us also have faith in God to inherit the
kingdom of heaven. Then God will give us the kingdom with pleasure.
"Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give
you the kingdom." Most Christians ask and claim the kingdom of
God instead of being obedient. The kingdom of heaven is free for those
who obey God. So, obey God and quit sin.
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