III. And I in You: Stepping into the Divine Matrix or Mixing God s Word with Faith Many people have definitions of faith which can obscure its intentional meaning in the Bible, thus, for the Christian it is imperative we understand it from God s viewpoint. And there is no better place to begin that in Hebrews 11:1: KJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ESV Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Let s look at three key Greek words in this passage which will guide our study. Faith is the substance/assurance the word here for substance or assurance is ὑπόστασις (hupostasis). It comes from two words, hupo which means under and hístēmi which refers to establishing something as so, to set something up as being. Thus, ὑπόστασις (hupostasis) has in view something being the basis for another thing, namely that for which we hope. So here, what undergirds the things we hope is our faith in God s promises and ultimately his person. 1
Faith is the evidence/conviction the word here for evidence or conviction is ἔλεγχος (elegchos) which refers to being persuaded inwardly not from outward pressure. That is to say, it is not simply cooperating because you are being browbeaten but to have formed in you a certainty of something so much so you are convinced of it. It is not conviction from some proof that has been offered like Jesus under a microscope in a lab which is our assurance. Rather it is the testimony of the Word of God to our souls which, through the work of God s Spirit illuminating our minds, leads us to conviction or conclude God s Word is the evidence. Ex: Rev: 1:8 I am the Alpha and the Omega. Jesus says he is the beginning and the end. Can you see this with your eyes? No. But by the exercise of faith, by mixing this promise of God with faith, it becomes true. Faith is the basis of your hope, a future thing and your faith with regard to the testimony of the passage itself is the source of conviction. The Word testifies of itself to your soul and you believe it, by faith. 2
Remember what the Bible says about the Word of God with regard to its active testimony to your soul? Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the dividing of the soul and spirit, of the joints and marrow, and is a critic of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The inner active testimony of the Word of God is declared in the Bible and is the real and powerful voice in the soul of the believer producing conviction or certainty. What is Faith? Faith has two common synonyms, trust and believe. Another related word is hope, though it is not a direct synonym it is part of faith. In essence it means to believe that which you cannot prove, to be true. It does not necessarily make it true simply because you believe it to be but it does make it an act of faith. With regard to the human being and God s Word, God s Spirit illuminates our mind to the truth that we may believe or not. Nonspiritual truths are left to human illumination to believe or not. 3
The Myth of Intellectual Faith Often termed believing with the head but not the heart, this concept is not in the Bible. The Bible only presents one as either believing or not. What people are likely referring to is academism or a simply knowledge of something without believing it. Many people can know truths but not believe them. Thus, even the smallest blip of faith is still faith. The Bible never considers it not having faith. Weak, small or developing faith is still just that, faith. The only time the Word of God does not have an effect is when? When it is not mixed with faith: Hebrews 4:2 (KJV) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 4
Faith in Time Faith sometimes has in view its beginning point, its sustaining period and its eventual end. Though all of these are points of faith they emphasize a different property of faith. Sometimes these distinctions use the words, believe, trust and hope. That is to say, when we exercise faith at a moment we are said by the Scriptures to have believed it. Then, when we apply it to our life over a period of time that is often referred to as trust. And as we look to its eventual end, this is often referred to as our hope. Believe (I accept, now, this to be true) Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and though shalt be saved Trust (I am continuingly resting in what I know is true) Proverbs 3:5 6 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Hope (I am resting expectantly in what I know is true about what is to come) Romans 8:24 25 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 5
Caveat While the word hope is translated from a different Greek word than believe and trust, thus hope can and should be treated with a denoted distinction, (though still one of faith), the other two words come from the same Greek word, pistis, and can be (and sometimes are) used interchangeably. Thus, this division is meant to be a helpful tool in determining the context of your faith in time, it is not meant to say that you may not use the words interchangeably. However, in English, the connoted or nuanced distinction between the two words does permit an opportunity to effectively look at faith in time. Believe Trust (Rest) Hope The Application of Faith in Time 6
Examples of Faith from Hebrews Noah (Hebrews 11:7) Noah believed God s Word Noah trusted God s Word in spite of not being able to see God at work and built the ark Noah hoped in God that he would fulfill his promise Abraham and Sarah (Hebrews 11:8 12) Abraham believed God Abraham trusted God in spite of not being able to know where he was going, he want anyway Abraham hoped in God that he would fulfill his promise Sarah believed God Sarah trusted God in spite of not being able to bear a child Sarah s hope was in God that we would fulfill his promise 7
Moses (Hebrews 11: 24 29) Moses believed God and not Pharaoh, he was God s, not Egypt s Moses trusted God that suffering for the sake of Christ better than the riches of the world Moses made the application of the blood for the Passover of death, by faith, trusting God Moses hoped looking ahead to his reward The Object of our Faith Faith must have an object. Hebrews 11 says: 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. They never realized Christ, he was still to come as was their future inheritance in the Kingdom of God. But today, while we await our rewards, we do have the hope of all hopes which has come, Jesus Christ. Thus, our object of our faith is both present in Christ and future in Christ. And Christ presented a template for our faith: 8
Hebrews 12:1 3 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Just as the world around those before us told one story, God told them of another reality, his divine viewpoint. They could not see it or touch it but they trusted God and his promises more than what they could see, touch and feel. Therefore, let us move into the final phases of this segment and begin examining the mechanics of mixing faith with God s promises. 9
But before we do I want to review two examples of where faith was replaced by Operation God Needs Help. Genesis 20:1 18 tells the story of Abraham and Sarah traveling and coming into contact with a powerful king named Abimelech. They feared the king and the people because they did not see any evidence of the fear of the true God. Thus, being afraid that the king would take Sarah from Abraham and kill Abraham so that he could have her for himself, they simply said that Sarah was his sister and on a technicality, this was true but in essence, it was a lie. Instead of trusting God at this juncture, both Abraham and Sarah tried to intervene for God because their trust in him was abandoned and their confidence in themselves elevated. Genesis 40:1 23 tells the story of Pharaoh s baker and cupbearer being thrown in prison where Joseph was and Joseph interpreting the dream of each. For the baker, Joseph explained that his dream meant that in three days Pharaoh would execute him but for the cupbearer it meant that Pharaoh would restore him in three days. In giving the favorable cupbearer the interpretation Joseph trusted not in the God who gave the interpretation but in the weak and impotent cupbearer and begged him, Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness and mention me to Pharaoh, and so to get me out of this house. For I was stolen out of the land of the Hebrews and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit 10
In both cases each person trusted in their own wisdom instead of God s work. This is not to say that we are ever to be passive but we are also not to be manipulative. Axiom: A right thing done in a wrong way is wrong. A wrong thing done in a right way is wrong. A wrong thing done in a wrong way is wrong. Only a right thing done in a right way is right. Now on to the most practical aspect of this study, The Mechanics of Faith. Let s begin simple promises: Acts 16:30 31 30 Then he brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. What is the context of the promise? How may it be applied in our lives? What are the obstacles to believing and resting in this promise? 11
1 John 1:9 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. What is the context of the promise? How may it be applied in our lives? What are the obstacles to believing and resting in this promise? Romans 8:28 29 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. What is the context of the promise? How may it be applied in our lives? What are the obstacles to believing and resting in this promise? 12
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. What is the context of the promise? How may it be applied in our own lives? What are the obstacles to believing and resting in this promise? Philippians 2:12 13 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 For it is God who works in you, both to will and to and to work for his good pleasure. What is the context of the promise? How may it be applied in our own lives? What are the obstacles to believing and resting in this promise? 13
Psalm 75:2 7 2 At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. 3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah 4 I say to the boastful, Do not boast, and to the wicked, Do not lift up your horn; 5 do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck. 6 For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, 7 but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. What is the context of the promise? How may it be applied in our own lives? What are the obstacles to believing and resting in this promise? 14
1 Peter 5:6 7 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. What is the context of the promise? How may it be applied in our own lives? What are the obstacles to believing and resting in this promise? Hebrews 4:16 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. What is the context of the promise? How may it be applied in our own lives? What are the obstacles to believing and resting in this promise? 15
James 1:5 8 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways. What is the context of the promise? How may it be applied in our own lives? What are the obstacles to believing and resting in this promise? Luke 12:22 31 22 And he said to his disciples, Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 16
What is the context of the promise(s)? How may it be applied in our own lives? What are the obstacles to believing and resting in this promise(s)? Luke 12:32 34 32 Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. What is the context of the promise(s)? How may it be applied in our own lives? What are the obstacles to believing and resting in this promise(s)? 17
From basic or multi basic promises we then begin to move into intermediate and advanced doctrines of the Bible which are declarations, promises, explicit and implicit statements on particular subject which, when brought together and examined help us formulate compendious expressions of all of the related passages, that is to say, state them in a brief summary while containing the full essentials of what they all combine to produce. Ex: The Sovereignty of God this refers to the overall rule of God in all matters both in time and eternity which includes not only the operation of God s will but the operation of the will of volitional agents. This is not stated in one single passage in the Bible but is contained in many passages through which we derive a doctrinal formula which, in its essence, represents the key properties and function of divine sovereignty by which we may have an immediate reference when applying this aspect of God. Thus, as you continue on the life of faith you are to include in your portfolio of divine truths, not only elementary promises but as well, you are to build in your soul a complex of divine truths going from the simple or basic to the intermediate all the way to the advanced. 18
It is when you do this that you begin to understand, as never before, divine viewpoint, i.e. the mind of Christ. You see life not merely as a child resting in your Father s promises but as a son, who is maturing into more than a suckling but a responsible member of God s family whose instinct is no longer simply to ask but is one who knows, one who may plan, one who may see evil from afar, one who recognizes subtle diversions from truth, one who understands a misuse of liberty, uninformed zeal or faithless academism. The world is seen in your mind, ever increasingly, as God sees it and your desires, actions and priorities in life reflect this. Imagine maturing from elementary promises to God s most sophisticated and advanced considerations of which we may, indeed, partake and of which are in God s revelation. If you persist in your continued growth and make this your objective, one where you consider entire doctrines and multiple doctrines in your application of God s Word by faith regarding your life and the world around you, then you will understand what Paul meant by experiencing the fullness of God. This is God s will for your life, full maturity that you may bear much fruit. 19
Next Week: IV. Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit: Suffering and Testing in the Christian Life 20