God's Grace and Our Faith (Part 2)

In our first section, we looked and what the Bible reveals about God’s grace. Now let us see what the Bible reveals about our faith. I am hoping that this will help us all to understand exactly what faith is so that we can then learn how God’s grace and our faith work together in saving us.

The first thing we see about faith is that we can have different amounts of it (Matt.6:30 and 8:10). This next characteristic might surprise some people, but faith can be seen (Matt.9:2). We also learn that faith involves confidence and that doubt enters when we have little faith (Matt.14:31). Yet, even a small amount of faith can make us able to do great things (Matt.17:20 and 21:21). Faith was an important part of the Law of Moses as well (Matt.23:23).

We can be full of faith (Acts 6:5). We can also be obedient to faith (Acts 6:7, Rom.1:5, 16:26). Paul and Barnabas exhorted Christians to continue in the faith, explaining that we must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). We learn that there is also a door of faith that can be opened to those who have not yet heard the gospel message (Acts 14:27). God purifies our hearts by faith as well (Acts 15:9).

Local churches are to be established in the faith (Acts 16:5). Faith in Jesus Christ is to be testified to all (Acts 20:21). It sanctifies us (Acts 26:18), and we live by it (Rom.1:17). Next, we learn that we can only obtain the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ which is to all who believe (Rom.3:22). This verse indicates that there is a difference between saving faith and mere belief (mental ascent).

We also learn that our redemption is in Jesus Christ and He is our propitiation through our faith in His blood (Rom.3:25). Let me pause here to share the definition of the word “propitiation”. It means atonement or render favorable. As the word is used in Romans, what Paul is saying is that Jesus was our atoning victim. He took our place when He died on the cross. Why? It is simply because the wages of sin is death. Yet, as Paul explains, He is only propitiation toward those who have faith in His blood.

In our next passage, we learn that there is a law of faith (Rom.3:27) and we should boast only in this law of faith. We are justified by faith as well (Rom.3:28) and through faith we make void the law [of Moses](v.28). There are also footsteps of faith that we are told to walk in (Rom.4:12). It is also possible to make faith void (Rom.4:14). As we continue to read Romans chapter 4, we also learn that being an heir of God’s promise [eternal life] depends on our faith and rests on grace (Rom.4:16).

Next, in chapter 4, we see that Abraham’s faith was seen in his trust that God could still give him a son in his old age (vss.18-22). And chapter 4 concludes by explaining that our faith will be counted as righteousness for us as well (vss.23-25). As Paul continues, we learn that through Jesus Christ, we gain access to the grace in which we stand (Rom.5:2).

Paul sheds some light as to why the nation of Israel did not attain righteousness through the law [of Moses]. In Romans chapter 9, he explains that it was because they did not pursue righteousness by faith. (Rom.9:30-33) The stumbling block set before them was Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross (v.33).

We next learn that there is a word of faith to be proclaimed (Rom.10:8) and that faith comes through hearing and hearing, through the word of Christ (v.17). In chapter 11, we see that the Jews who did not believe were broken off from God’s family tree and non-Jews who believe are grafted in because we stand fast in our faith. But Paul also warns us not to become proud, but fear (v.20). Why? It is because there is a real possibility that we can be broken off as well if we do not continue in our faith, which puts us in God’s kindness (v.22). Those who were broken off can still be grafted back in as well if they do not continue in their disbelief. And in Romans chapter 14, we learn that whatever is not done by faith is sin (Rom.14:23).

Another important aspect of faith is explained in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5. We walk by faith (II Cor.5:7) and we labor in it as well (vss.8-10). This is actually a little redundant because walking by faith is basically saying all we do is to be done by faith(Gal.2:20). Paul also exhorts us to examine ourselves to determine whether we are in the faith and also to prove ourselves (II Cor.13:5). Another word for “prove” is “test”. Paul then asks if we are aware that Jesus is in us and then states – “unless indeed you fail to meet the test” (ESV). I encourage you to study this entire chapter very carefully. It is an important one regarding saving faith.

In Galatians chapter 3, we learn that we receive the spirit by the hearing of faith (Gal.3:2) and miracles were also done by the hearing of faith (v.5). We also see that we receive the “promise” of the Spirit through faith. Now we need to understand what the promise of the Spirit is exactly. If you carefully read the rest of chapter 3, Paul answers that question as well. The promise is our eternal inheritance. We all become God’s children in Jesus Christ, by faith (v.26).

In chapter 5, we learn that faith must work through love to matter to God (v.6). Next, Paul compares the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit (vss.17-27) and faith is among the fruits of the Spirit. Our faith in Christ Jesus is what allows us to have access to God in confidence (Eph.3:12). We next learn that Christ is in our hearts by faith (v.17). There is also only one faith (Eph.4:5), and this means there is a unity of the faith as well (v.13). Paul also compares our faith as a shield that is able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked (Eph.6:16) and a breastplate (I Thess.5:8).

Philippians chapter one has Paul exhorting them to strive together for the faith of the gospel. Colossians 1:21-23 shows us the importance of continuing in the faith. Paul then states that those who are baptized are raised with Christ through the faith of the operation of God (Eph.2:12). We learn in I Timothy that it is possible for us to “shipwreck” our faith (I Tim.1:19); it can be denied (I Tim.5:8), cast off or abandoned (v.12), and wandered or erred from as well (I Tim.6:10). It can even be overthrown (II Tim.2:18). Paul even predicted that some will depart from the faith in the latter times (I Tim.4:1) and teach doctrines of demons.

If anyone thinks that there is no effort on our part in faith or gaining eternal life has either not read this passage, or has ignored it.

1 Tim.6:1

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

There is clearly effort on the part of man in God’s plan of salvation. So it should also be clear that there must be a difference between works of man or of merit, and works of righteousness or of God. 2^nd Timothy 4:7 is similar in proving that there is definitely effort on the part of man. In Hebrews we learn that the word of the gospel will not be beneficial to anyone unless it is mixed with faith (Heb.4:2).

The verse that is most often turned to when someone seeks Bible definition of faith is Hebrews 11:1, which is presented below:

Heb.11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

But it really would help one’s understanding of faith to study the entire chapter. There is example after example of true faith in that chapter and each involves acting upon what is believed. In the beginning of the next chapter, we learn that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Chapter 2 of James also sheds light on faith. Study the whole chapter carefully. Faith is made complete through works (Jas.2:22) and man is not justified by faith alone, but works mingled with faith (v.24).

Faith is our response to God and we will learn in part three how God’s grace and our faith work together in God’s plan of salvation. I pray that as we continue through this three part lesson, we will all have a deeper and more accurate understanding of how we are saved by grace, through faith.