Eph 2:8-9 KJVR, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (9) "Not of works, lest any man should boast."

The word and words translated as faith in the New Testament appear some 244 times. Faith is a very serious subject, and I don’t believe that the religious world gives credence to what God has to say about what faith really is. So I would like to do a little deeper study on what faith is and hopefully we can gain further insight on what God wants us to know.

Faith, according to the Hebrew writer, is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. The entire 11th chapter of the book of Hebrews deals with great men and women of old that exhibited faith and how faith made them do the works of God. Verse 6 tells us without faith that it is impossible to please God. I want us to particularly notice the action that is suggested here. We must believe that God is, and a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Can we understand this? Belief is said to be something we do. Does this not fall into what some would say would be a works category? When those that came to Capernaum seeking Jesus in Jn. 6:28 "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" What did Jesus say to them? Did he say that there are not any works at all to do? No, He made the declaration that faith was a work of God, and that they must do this. We can understand that there is a difference in works; the works of God, being works that we must do, and the works of the Law of Moses, and also the works that man might invent to try to get to God. The last 2 being the works that God will not accept.

It is by Gods mercy that we are saved. Rom 5:8 KJVR, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Even though we deserve the severest of punishments because of our transgressions, God loved us so much that he gave his only begotten son upon the cross for our sins.

This mercy that God has bestowed upon us is open for all, but all will not receive it. This mercy is bestowed upon those that through faith will accept it. God has bestowed, man must accept. But this faith is not a shallow, I believe faith only. This faith is one that goes past I believe, to I will do what my God commands of me. This is the faith that we see the Apostle Paul have when Ananias the preacher asked "Why do you wait, Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16), that he did not tarry but obeyed. This is the faith that those on the day of Pentecost had that when they were fully convinced of their sins and that Jesus was the Christ, that they cried out "Men and Brethren, what shall we do"? When the preacher Peter told them "Repent and be baptized every one of you for the remission of sins." They did not say "That’s not what my family did to be Gods child, or I know that he said that but I don’t really think that is what God meant." No, they obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine that was delivered to them, (Acts 2:41). When I obey what God has commanded of me, I am not doing works to glory and say that I have saved myself. Baptism is said to be a work of man that is merely to show the world that you are already a Christian. I declare unto you that Jesus Christ said it is a work of God commanded to put one into the body of Christ, to be a Christian, Mar 16:16 KJVR, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." What did Jesus correlate here? Belief and baptism. If our belief prompts us to obedience then we can be saved, but not until we have that faith.

If you find yourself in need of Bible study, or would like to hear more on any given subject, please let us know. If you have any questions or comments, contact us: Clintwood church of Christ, P.O. Box 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228, or Gary Mullins, 265 Stony Br., Clintwood, Va. 24228, or email gmullins1998@gmail.com . I would like to encourage you to listen to WDIC 1430 AM at 9:00 Sunday mornings for more from God’s Word. Also, you are invited to worship with us Sun-10 AM Bible Study; 11 AM Worship Service; 6 PM Service; Wed-7 PM Bible Study.