Genuine Faith in Living
Paul, in writing to the brethren at Corinth, offers assurance of the resurrection and tells the brethren that God has prepared a far better body than this physical tent that we presently live in, (II Corinthians 5:1-6; NKJV). He then states "For we walk in faith and not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from this body and to be present with the Lord," (II Corinthians 5:7, 8; NKJV). In the letter to the Romans we are taught, "So then faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ," (Romans 10:17; ESV).
One cannot separate faith from the word of God. To do so is to separate oneself from God. The word is the only source of knowledge offered to man in his quest to know God, (Romans 1:16-18). John wrote, "And hereby do we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments," (I John 2:3). James pointed out in his letter to Jewish Christians, that faith which is professed but does not become a way of life and living is dead, (James 2:17, 20, 26).
The idea that faith is a simple statement of belief and that mankind is saved through such faith is contrary to the facts of the gospel:
- Abraham was justified when he acted on the commands of God. His action was coupled with faith and he was justified, (James 2:21-24).
- James also states, "But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves," (James 1:22).
- Paul tells us that we were created, "in Christ," for the purpose of walking in good works that glorify God, (Ephesians 2:10).
Genuine Faith has always demanded obedience to God's will, (Genesis 6:8, 9, 22; Matthew 7:21-23; Hebrews 5:8, 9). "Let the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom," (Colossians 3:6). Let us approach God on His terms!
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