Understanding Faith in Christ
Faith originates with God Himself. It is not self-generated by individual humans. The Apostle Paul wrote much about faith, including the fact that faith is a gift of God (Eph 2:8–9). Just as God gave Christ as the object of faith (Jn 3:16; Acts 16:31), so He grants some people faith to believe in Jesus Christ (Gal 3:22; Phil 1:29).
Existing believers are the means by which new believers are manifest by the grace of God. Jude wrote that faith in Christ is handed down to the saints (Jude 3). One hears the Word of Christ being preached by the called man of God. The preacher already believes, so he speaks (Ps 116:10; 2 Cor 4:13). Those with ears to hear will listen to God’s message being heralded. Where does one get such ears?
The Gospel of God is as wide as Genesis to Revelation. Typically, it is consumed as daily bread. The bread of God is the Word of God (Jn 6:33). The preacher prepares and then delivers a small portion of the Bible for his hearers. Some taste and see that God is good (Ps 34:8); and they now hunger and thirst for righteousness (Mt 5:6). The pure milk and meat of the Word satisfies their souls (Ps 22:26; 36:8; Heb 5:12; 1 Pet 2:2).
One can believe that milk and meat are food (intellectual assent); but one must take and eat, in order to receive the benefits (appropriation). The demons believe that Jesus is the Son of God; however, this faith does not benefit them (Jas 2:19). The reason is that faith does not save anyone. Jesus Christ, our Great God and Savior, came to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21; Titus 2:13). He saved us (Titus 3:5). Faith, and the works it produces (Eph 2:10; Jas 2:14–26), is the manifested expression of God’s internal working presence in those He has quickened by His Spirit.
God the Father saved us by electing us and giving us to His Son before the foundation of the world (Jn 6:37; Rev 13:8; 17:8; 21:27). God the Son saved us by His perfect life and atoning death on the Roman cross by which He redeemed us with His precious blood (Gal 3:13; 1 Pet 1:19). God the Holy Spirit saved us by His work of regenerating our dead souls (Eph 2:1, 5; Col 2:13).
By implanting the seed of God’s Word in our souls (heart and mind), the life of God is now permanently working (Jas 1:21; Rom 8:9, 11). One of the works of the indwelling Spirit of God is the production of increased faith (Lk 17:5). Those born again of God’s Spirit walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16); and this means a walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7). The fruitful product of the Spirit is faithfulness (Gal 5:22).
The Christian’s union with Christ means that the sinner has been transferred from the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col 1:13). His trust is in Christ the King whose Spirit abides with him (Rom 8:9, 11). The believer knows whom he has believed because he has heard, received and appropriated God’s Word (1 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 2:12).
The believer knows the truth, having been set free from the lies of Satan, the world’s ruler in this present evil age (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph 6:12). Jesus is the truth who sets the captives free from the stronghold of sin (Is 61:1; Jn 14:6; Rom 6:6). It is Jesus who authors the believer’s faith (Heb 12:2) and salvation (Heb 2:10). It is the Spirit of Christ who ever directs and redirects the believer’s attention to Christ (Jn 16:13). Those who trust in Him are not disappointed (Ps 22:5).
The Gospel call from the Spirit-filled preacher includes the Word: “Draw near”; “Come to Me”; “Follow Me”; “Trust in the Lord”; and “Believe in Me”. What about those who do not heed the summons? Jesus said to them, “You do not believe because you are not of My sheep (Jn 10:26).” His sheep hear the voice of Him who is the Word of God enfleshed (Jn 1:14). Jesus, the Word, opened the ears of the spiritually deaf (Mk 7:31–37; Rom 10:17). They hear and believe only by His mercy and grace (Rom 9:15–16).
There is an allotment of faith (Rom 12:3) that comes from the work of God (Jn 6:29). We believe through grace (Acts 18:27), having been appointed to eternal life (Acts 13:48) in the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:23). He who has God’s Son has the life of God — working His will and good pleasure in him and bringing him into conformity to Christ (Rom 8:29; Phil 2:13; 1 Jn 5:12). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).
All that God has spoken to us in His Word is profitable for us (2 Tim 3:16). The Bible warrants our trust because of its source and message. This special revelation of God is to be treasured above all else because it has become the very life of the believer (Dt 32:47; Jn 6:63). There is no “leap of faith” because of something unknown. Rather, we meditate on God’s Word — learning it, knowing it, and understanding it — for it is a blessing from Him (Ps 1:1–2).
The truth to be known is that God makes some to believe and passes over others that they may go their own way in unbelief. The believer is justified while the unbeliever is condemned already (Jn 3:18). Do you have faith in Christ? Faith is from Him (Rom 11:36). It is by His doing that you are in Christ (1Cor 1:30) and apart from Christ you can do nothing to gain favor with God. Therefore, the believer’s boast is in Christ alone (1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14).
As the Christian grows in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18), his faith increases (Lk 17:5), being tested by the fiery trials of suffering (Phil 1:29). Although unpleasant in the moment, these are not be compared to the glory to be revealed to us (Rom 8:18). Faith will be no more when glory is realized at the second advent of King Jesus to judge the living and the dead (Jn 5:28–29; Acts 10:42; 1 Thess 4:13–5:11; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5; Rev 19:11–21).
The Bible is to be believed; and with His words and actions, God has proven His trustworthiness. The true and living God is faithful to perform all that is required for us to dwell for eternity with Him. The believer knows these things because He knows the One who has promised and done everything to have our trust.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
July 18, 2023
