What is faith, part two
We are continuing to look at the definition of faith as provided to God’s people through Scripture, as well as looking into verses that serve to expand on that definition. The cornerstone of our search is the same as in part one:
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
When Paul arrived to preach the gospel to the thirty-six cities and towns he visited, many of the folks in those towns would tell him, “We’ve already heard the gospel. The Thessolinicans were already here.” The Christians Paul had taught, were already broadcasting the truth. He couldn’t go anywhere without everyone knowing what God was doing in Thessolinica and what God could do any community.
1 Thess. 1:8-10
“For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
Three aspects of this church’s proclamation of the gospel stand out here:
· They turned to God from idols to serve the living God
· They served the living and true God
· They were waiting for the Son from heaven
These actions are in direct relationship with that which was written in verse 3:
1 Thess 1:3
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”
What was their work of faith? To turn to God from idols. Their labor of love? To serve the living God. What is their patience of hope? To wait for his Son from heaven.
Those are three things God wants to emphasize to us. One without the other will not do. Not surprisingly, the church has spent too many years forming denominations of all three. One group emphasizes that Jesus is coming back, so get ready. Another says He’s not really coming any time soon, so it is better to occupy until He comes. (Luke 19:13) And still another tells its members they better serve God. So, there’s a resurrection bunch, a serving God bunch, and an evangelistic bunch. But, God is seeking to do all these things in our lives: to turn from those things that are allowed to take the Lord’s place, to serve others, and to hope in Christ’s return.
The hope that speaks of Jesus’ return is known as “the blessed hope.”
Titus 2:11-13
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ…”
SIDENOTE: Hope must be included in the definition of faith because faith is “the substance of things hoped for” according to the biblical definition. More about hope will be included in the principle of resurrection from the dead
We are continuing to look at the definition of faith as provided to God’s people through Scripture, as well as looking into verses that serve to expand on that definition. The cornerstone of our search is the same as in part one:
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
When Paul arrived to preach the gospel to the thirty-six cities and towns he visited, many of the folks in those towns would tell him, “We’ve already heard the gospel. The Thessolinicans were already here.” The Christians Paul had taught, were already broadcasting the truth. He couldn’t go anywhere without everyone knowing what God was doing in Thessolinica and what God could do any community.
1 Thess. 1:8-10
“For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
Three aspects of this church’s proclamation of the gospel stand out here:
· They turned to God from idols to serve the living God
· They served the living and true God
· They were waiting for the Son from heaven
These actions are in direct relationship with that which was written in verse 3:
1 Thess 1:3
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”
What was their work of faith? To turn to God from idols. Their labor of love? To serve the living God. What is their patience of hope? To wait for his Son from heaven.
Those are three things God wants to emphasize to us. One without the other will not do. Not surprisingly, the church has spent too many years forming denominations of all three. One group emphasizes that Jesus is coming back, so get ready. Another says He’s not really coming any time soon, so it is better to occupy until He comes. (Luke 19:13) And still another tells its members they better serve God. So, there’s a resurrection bunch, a serving God bunch, and an evangelistic bunch. But, God is seeking to do all these things in our lives: to turn from those things that are allowed to take the Lord’s place, to serve others, and to hope in Christ’s return.
The hope that speaks of Jesus’ return is known as “the blessed hope.”
Titus 2:11-13
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ…”
SIDENOTE: Hope must be included in the definition of faith because faith is “the substance of things hoped for” according to the biblical definition. More about hope will be included in the principle of resurrection from the dead
