There is a difference between faith and belief. A belief can be apathetic or complacent, faith cannot, and Abram was a great man of faith. Hebrews 11:8 [RSV] says, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go.” Faith is alive and active. If faith does not draw a response, it is not true faith. We call many things faith that, in fact, are not faith at all. This problem is not new; James confronted the same problem in the early church. James began by saying (to paraphrase), you believe in one God, good for you. Even the demons believe this and they tremble. But a demon’s belief does nothing to save him. In James 2 [RSV], he goes on to say: 20. Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren? 21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22. You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works, 23. and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness"; and he was called the friend of God. 24. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
True faith is active faith. When you believe, you act and thus prove your faith is real through your obedience. God said, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.” Abram did not begin his new life when God commanded. He did not get the blessings when he heard God’s promises. God calls for faith. Faith is seeing God’s promises and believing them as though they are absolutes. Faith is hearing God’s commands and valuing them as a treasure. As David stated in Psalm 119:72-73 ]RSV] we read, 72. The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 73. Thy hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Thy commandments.
Once we value God’s word, we will receive the promise of His direction. Once we are following His direction, we will obtain every promise. Faith is strengthened by seeing. God said many times in Scripture, "You have seen the mighty things I have done, now choose to obey or not to obey." We continue to see His works. We see the lives of those following Him; we see God working in our lives as we put Him to the test by obeying. We see His works all around us. Faith is strengthened by seeing and by evidence, but faith does not come by evidence. Faith comes by believing and obediently responding. Once we believe and we step into the dependence on His care, we have the promise of Psalm 37:23-25 [RSV]: 23. The steps of a man are from the Lord, and He establishes him in Whose way He delights; 24. though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord is the stay of his hand. 25. I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread.
True faith is active faith. When you believe, you act and thus prove your faith is real through your obedience. God said, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.” Abram did not begin his new life when God commanded. He did not get the blessings when he heard God’s promises. God calls for faith. Faith is seeing God’s promises and believing them as though they are absolutes. Faith is hearing God’s commands and valuing them as a treasure. As David stated in Psalm 119:72-73 ]RSV] we read, 72. The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 73. Thy hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Thy commandments.
Once we value God’s word, we will receive the promise of His direction. Once we are following His direction, we will obtain every promise. Faith is strengthened by seeing. God said many times in Scripture, "You have seen the mighty things I have done, now choose to obey or not to obey." We continue to see His works. We see the lives of those following Him; we see God working in our lives as we put Him to the test by obeying. We see His works all around us. Faith is strengthened by seeing and by evidence, but faith does not come by evidence. Faith comes by believing and obediently responding. Once we believe and we step into the dependence on His care, we have the promise of Psalm 37:23-25 [RSV]: 23. The steps of a man are from the Lord, and He establishes him in Whose way He delights; 24. though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord is the stay of his hand. 25. I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread.
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