The Essentiality of Faith

By: Ben F Vick

The inspired penman wrote, "But 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" (Hebrews 11:6). This verse alone shows the essentiality of faith. One cannot please God without it. Faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation. Jesus said, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).

The apostle Paul began what has been called "Faith's Hall of Fame" with these words: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). The word substance translates a Greek word which is a compound word (hupomeans "under"; stasis is "to stand"), which means to stand under. Faith stands under our hope. It supports our hope. If our faith is weak, then our hope is weak. If our faith is crumbling, our hope is ready to crash. Further, we see that faith is "the evidence of things not seen." The word "evidence" is from a Greek word which means "a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested ... that by which invisible things are proved (and we are convinced of their reality)..." (Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament). For example, the American Standard Version reads, "Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is demonstrated by our obedience. Faith and obedience are often used interchangeably. For instance, note Paul's use : "But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" (Romans 10:16). The Greek Lexicon defines the word believe as, "A conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah -- the divinely appointed author of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God, conjoined with obedience of Christ" (Thayer). If I believe in someone, if I trust someone, then I will accept his word. It is not an active faith and obedient faith if one believes in Jesus, but refutes to obey his will.

The Baptist Manual and the Methodist Discipline teach that one is saved or justified "solely through faith" or "faith only." The latter says, "that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort." However, such could not be further from the truth. If one can be saved by faith only, then some of the chief rulers of the Jews would have been saved, though they were unwilling to confess Christ. John wrote, "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:42-43). Even the demons have faith in God but they will not be saved (James 2:19). If faith alone will save, why would they not be saved? The faith that saves is the faith that obeys.

An obedient faith will lead one to repent of his sins. About 3000 Jews on the first Pentecost following our Lord's ascension were commanded to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Some teach that one must repent before he has faith. Such is impossible. Now Paul spoke of repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Some may think this proves the order in which things are to be done; however, we do not always say things in the order in which they are done. For example: Did you put your shoes and socks on this morning? Did you do it in that order? Was Jesus slain and then hanged on the cross (Acts 10:38)? The audience to whom Paul was speaking had belief in God, but needed to repent toward Him, then they needed to believe in Jesus Christ. The Jews believed in God, but they needed to repent toward Him. Then, they needed to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

An active faith will lead one to be baptized into Christ. Jesus said "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). This verse teaches that one must believe in the gospel of Christ, and that belief will lead one to be baptized. It teaches that faith plus baptism is necessary for salvation.

A saving faith is a working faith. Paul wrote, "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love" (Galatians 5:6). Not only does faith work, it is a work. John wrote, "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" (John 6:28-29). The "works of God" are the works he requires. See this usage of "works" in Jeremiah 48:10.

Faith is not only essential for initial obedience to the gospel of Christ, but one must live by faith. In a parenthetical thought, Paul by inspiration wrote, "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7). "Walk" here is a metaphor for live. If we walk by faith, we will live in accordance with God's word (Romans 10:17).

May we have the attitude of the apostles who said to the Lord, "Increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). Paul also referred to the faith of the Corinthian saints, for he wrote, "Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly" (II Corinthians 10:15). Our faith will increase by a continual study of God's word.