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FAQ # 6
QUESTION 6 : Faith-
How does it work?
The scripture
said, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen” (Heb 11:1). It’s being sure of what we hope for and certain
for what we cannot see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
Example Abraham. God had promise him a son and that son was Isaac to which
all the earth should be blessed. So when God told him to sacrifice Isaac,
he knew somehow God would provide, because he believe what God told him
concerning Isaac and nothing in heaven or earth would change that; not
even God. That’s why he confidently said to his son before going up to
the mountain, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:
so they went both of them together” (Gen 22:8). Moreover, he said that
very well knowing that rams or lambs don’t climb that high in the mountains.
In the face of all odds, believing not only that God would provide the
sacrifice, but also that his son would be the lineage whereby you and
I are saved. Notice how far he went with his belief, taking out the knife
and was about to slay his son, believing that if “push come to shove,”
God would raise him from the dead. How did we know Abraham believed God,
because he did what God said without thinking twice about the impossibility
of it; no logic was used to reason it out, he just simply obeyed.
That is
faith. Faith isn’t just saying you believe, but if you truly believe you
will move on that belief, hence the term, “faith saves when faith obeys.”
Obedience is the works of faith. That’s the reason faith without works
is dead. Meaning if Abraham didn’t move up the mountain to sacrifice his
son (works) after God told him to, yet saying he believe, then he wouldn’t
have believed. Belief always produces works - obedience, actions, and
results – otherwise you have not believed.
God told
you to do something for something yet it doesn’t seem feasible or logical;
just do it, that’s faith. Being certain of the something he promised by
doing the something he said. He promised salvation, yet he commands us
to be baptized. Are you going to do it or wonder how and why? Any intelligent
mind would wonder how in the world being submerge will take away something
as intangible as sins. No one knows but millions follow believing that
their sins are remitted. That’s faith. Believe then do. Belief leads to
doing. Therefore, a man who says he believes “does” in the face of all
odds. If I don’t believe you can catch me if I jump out of a tree, I’m
not jumping out. Jumping out would be the works that came from me believing.
The two are inseparable. “We DO through faith. We don't DO through unbelief!”
If you believe his words, do what it says and it will yield what it promise.
Notice
the following:
By faith Abel offered unto
God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness
that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being
dead yet speaketh (Heb 11:4).
By faith Noah, being warned of God of
things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the
saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir
of the righteousness which is by faith (Heb 11:7).
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob
and Esau concerning things to come (Heb 11:20).
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed
both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his
staff (Heb 11:21).
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention
of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment
concerning his bones (Heb 11:22).
By faith Moses, when he was come to years,
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter (Heb 11:24).
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for
he endured, as seeing him who is invisible (Heb 11:27). By faith
they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians
assaying to do were drowned (Heb 11:29).
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go
out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed;
and he went out, not knowing whither he went (Heb 11:8).
By faith the walls of Jericho fell
down, [WHEN] after they were compassed about seven days
(Heb 11:30).
When did the wall fall down, when they initially believed or after they
obeyed? Of course, after they obeyed, but they couldn’t have obeyed except
they believed. They weren’t like some of us who hear and say we believe
but refuse to follow Acts 2:38. Unlike Jericho, if this is you, your wall
of separation between you and God, called sin, will not go down. You have
to be like the people at Jericho who believed but also, by their belief,
obeyed God; even though it might be deemed foolish.
“Seest
thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect”
(Jas 2:22)? Simply, believe in the “impossible” then do what seems
improbable – that is faith.
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