BUILDING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Faith Toward God

LESSON SIX: Faith Toward God

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Scripture reading: Hebrews 11:1-6; Romans 4:13-20

Faith and repentance are inseparable in bringing about genuine conversion. Paul’s preaching to the lost illustrates this fact clearly for he testified: "Both to the Jews and also to the Greeks REPENTANCE toward God, and FAITH toward out Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).

The success of such preaching may be noted in the record concerning the Thessalonian believers who "turned TO God (faith) FROM idols (repentance)" (I Thes 1:9). One has well said, "To profess to turn to God without forsaking sin in repentance ends in hypocrisy. To attempt to forsake sin without turning to God in faith, ends in failure and despair."

I. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE TERM "FAITH."

The Greek root word translated "faith" (noun) and "believe" (verb) and its derivatives are found in the Greek New Testament 619 times.

A. FAITH (Pistis) -- Faith, belief, firm persuasion, assurance, firm convictions; honesty, integrity, faithfulness, truthfulness.

B. BELIEVE (Pisteuo) -- To trust in, put faith in, confide in, rely on a person or thing; have a mental persuasion; to entrust,commit to the charge or power of.

One has said that faith is the act by which a person lays hold on God’s proferred resources, becomes obedient to what God prescribes, and abandoning all self-interest, and self-reliance, trusts God completely.

According to Charles Finney, faith is , "A receiving of Christ for just what He is represented to be in His Gospel, and an UNQUALIFIED SURRENDER of the will, and of the whole being to Him" (capitals C.E.M.).

II. THE BIBLE DEFINITION OF FAITH

Write the Bible definition of FAITH. It is found in Hebrews 11:1.

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III. THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH

A. One cannot be saved without faith. Fill in the words used in these verses to indicate the necessary action linked to salvation.

Example: Mark 16:16 ________(believeth)_________________________

1. Luke 8:12 _________________________________________________

2. I Cor 1:21 _________________________________________________

3. Eph 2:8 ___________________________________________________

B. What is necessary in order to please God? Heb 11:6 __________________

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C. In regard to the death of Lazarus, what did Jesus say would follow if Martha would only believe? ____________________________________________

IV. There are three things involved in saving faith. ALL ARE NECESSARY FOR SALVATION.

A. the mind (intellect) IS INFORMED. In Acts 4:4, what was the result for many of those hearing the Word? _______________________________

But an "informed mink" is not the same as "saving faith." Nor does an informed mind guarantee saving faith. We see this in James 2:19: "Thou BELIEVEST that there is one God; Thou doest well: the devils also BELIEVE, and tremble." The devils (or demons) believe intellectually only.

B. THE EMOTIONS (feelings) ARE STIRRED.

In REPENTANCE one experiences the emotion of GODLY SORROW as in II Cor 7:10. Since repentance has to do with sin, which has alienated us from God and has brought hell and havoc into our lives, it is not strange if we experience "godly sorrow." This "godly sorrow" can prepare the way for "faith" where we experience JOY and GLADNESS. This is to be expected also since it is through God’s great salvation.

Following each verse write the words which show the emotion linked with salvation and/or faith.

1. Acts 2:41 ___________________________________________________

2. Acts 8:8 (5-8) _______________________________________________

3. Phil 1:25 ___________________________________________________

4. I Thes 1:6 __________________________________________________

5. I Peter 1:8 __________________________________________________

But even this is not enough. An informed mind and deeply stirred emotions are not to be equated as saving faith. Nor do they guarantee that one has "saving faith." This is illustrated in Matt 13:20, 21, "But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that HEARETH THE WORD (the mind was informed) and anon (immediately) WITH JOY (the emotions were deeply stirred) receiveth it; YET HATH HE NOT ROOT in himself..."

Note carefully there was no mention of repentance. There was no digging deep.

C. THE WILL (volition) IS COMMITTED AND YIELDED TO GOD’S WILL. In each verse what shows that this transpired?

1. Romans 1:5 _________________________________________________

2. Romans 15:18 _______________________________________________

3. Romans 16:25, 26 ____________________________________________

Therefore we see that first we hear and believe with our mind, then out emotions are stirred. Our salvation is still dependent on the giving up of our own will to do the Father’s will.

V. A CLASSIC BIBLE EXAMPLE OF FAITH: ABRAHAM

The Bible refers to Abraham as the father of all Christians (Rom 4:11, 12, 16). Paul illustrates saving, justifying faith by recounting Abraham’s experience with God, especially with relation to the coming of Isaac. The manner in which Abraham manifested faith is the manner in which we who are believers must manifest faith. Paul’s reference to Abraham’s faith is found in Romans 4:13-21; show the verse or verses in which we see the following truths:

A. The promise (or Word of God) as received by faith. He believed God.

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B. He did not consider his hopeless condition or human reasoning, but looked only to WHAT GOD HAD SAID. ____________________

C. He embraced the hope expressed in the Divine promise. ______________

D. He did not waver in his commitment. ________________

E. He rejoiced at the word as the accomplished fact. ____________