I have struggled with the meaning of this word for a long time.
I ask many people and get a variety of answers.
Sometimes I ask my question by saying “I think faith is _______ (fill in blank), what do you think?” I usually get agreement and little more.
It seems most people either don’t know, or can’t answer for some reason.
I came across this somewhere recently, and it resonated with me, tremendously:
“Faith is an internal affection which consists in a heartfelt desire to know what is true and what is good, and this not for the sake of doctrine as the end in view, but for the sake of life. ”
Finally, a definition that makes sense to me.
Any thoughts?
Or answers of your own?
Anything is appreciated.
Paul said in (Gal. 6 (v.3)
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (v.4)
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
The book says let every man prove his own work, and if your work is good then you will rejoice in it. (v.5)
For every man shall bear his own burden. That’s right; every man must bear his own burden. Brothers and sisters you must work to get salvation. Because faith without works is dead. (v.7)
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. God is not to be played with. Whatsoever you plant, that’s what you are going to reap. Be it good works unto eternal life, or evil works unto eternal damnation. The choice is yours, and your works belong to you.
Jesus said in (Matt. 16:24-27) (v.24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples,
if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. That was the Lord’s burden, to die on the cross for the sins of man. Now as we read earlier every man must bear his own burden, and what is your burden? (v.25)
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. You must give up your life in this world; you must not get caught up in the cares of this world. You must bring forth-good fruits of faith by keeping God’s commandments, statues, and judgments. (v.26)
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Some of the great patriarchs in (Heb.11) gave up a lot, some even their lives in exchange for their soul. You see they had great faith (belief) that their souls (bodies) would be raised at the first resurrection. But listen up; (v.27)
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his holy angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Now these are the words of Jesus (the Son of man), you know the savior of the world. He said that when he comes he is going to judge every man according to his works.
So having Faith is believing, then putting forth those works with it. If you don't believe you are getting paid at the end of every week like you suppose to, then why work for nothing?
Let's go into (James 2: (v.14)
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?
Can faith save him? (v.15) If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of a daily food, (v.16) And one of you say unto them,
Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body;
what doth it profit? If someone came to you hungry and needed clothes and all you told them was peace be unto you, and God bless you, be ye warmed and filled. All you did was give lip service, no works, you didn’t help the problem.
(v.17)
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. The bible has been telling you all alone that you must have fruits to prove your faith. (v.18)
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. True faith goes hand in hand with good works. (v.20)
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Did you know that? Has anybody ever read this verse to you? You can have all the faith you want, but if you have no works to go along with that faith, that faith is in vain, that faith is dead. (v.21)
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? We read where Abraham, the father of the faithful showed the Lord his
faith by his works. (v.22)
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and
by works was faith made perfect?
