What is faith ? In Hebrews 11:1, in the revised version, we have this definition, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the proving of things not seen.” Faith is belief in God, trust in Him, complete confidence in the Almighty. It is confidence in Him. that He will fulfill that which He has promised. Faith is an essential qualification for an acceptable approach to God. We read further in Hebrews (11 :6), “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God, must believe that He is and that He is a rewarded of them that diligently seek Him.”
What is the reward that God has promised ? It is very important for us to know what He has promised, so that we may believe and have faith therein. When the Lord Jesus Christ sent forth the messengers of salvation, he set forth the belief of certain things as the first essential. Paul wrote to the Galatians (3:22) “The Scriptures hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.” It is required of us, that the “certain things” we must believe, be none other than those preached by Jesus and the Apostles. Paul also said to the Galatians, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that hath called you, into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. … But though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Also the Apostle John was very explicit, (2 John 1 :10) “If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed “
The things which we are to believe, are plainly defined. Before his ascension into heaven, Jesus gave his disciples this commission, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved, he that believeth not, shall be condemned.” The question naturally suggests itself, “believeth what ?” The answer, “the Gospel”, that was to be preached. We read in Romans (1 :16) that “the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth.” The gospel is the means to be employed in our salvation. This gospel is the glad tidings or the good news or good message in relation to some particular thing. The Bible informs us that it is connected with the Kingdom of God. Did Jesus preach this gospel ? We are informed in Matthew (4:23) that “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom.” In Luke (9-1) we learn of the work that Jesus assigned to his disciples. They were given certain authority, and were to cure diseases and heal the sick and were to preach the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, we are told that they obeyed, preaching the gospel and healing the sick everywhere. Thus we learn that to preach the gospel is to preach the Kingdom of God and vice versa and so if the Kingdom of God is not taught, then the gospel is not preached. Thus we see the reason that Paul warned the Galatians concerning the preaching of anything but the true doctrine. Such preaching is vain and is powerless to save from death, those who have come to listen. Paul said that those who so preached should be accursed.
Many references inform us of the work of the Apostles in preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God and the things concerning the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ as a means of salvation. Paul dwelt at Rome for two years and preached the Kingdom of God and taught those things that concern the Lord Jesus Christ. This gospel which the apostle preached for salvation, was the same gospel which Jesus had taught at the beginning of his ministry and all through his life, even the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God and men believed and will be the subjects of salvation. Now friends, this gospel is not of a kingdom beyond the skies in heaven. The Scriptures teach that it concerns a Divine political kingdom to be established on this earth. The reward promised to the righteous, is that of association with Christ in the ruling of the nations, for we find this emphasized in Revelation. (5:10) “Thou hast made us unto our God, kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth.”
The system of truth revealed in the Scriptures, should not be the subject of controversy. Jesus said to his followers who believed on him, (John 8:31) “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jesus also warned, “God is a spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” Our worship of Him whether it be in praise or prayer, is composed of our ideas of what we think God has done for us and of what we expect Him to do. How essential then, it is that we be rightly instructed, because only the truth will be accepted by Him. Unbelief of the gospel, will make our condemnation sure. In the words of the Lord, “He that believeth not shall be condemned.” Also, “He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words, the same shall judge him in the last day.” Ignorance of the gospel or one true faith, leaves men in a state of darkness in which salvation is impossible.
God has not only invited us to share the blessings of the peaceful kingdom of the future age, but He has made available, a present peace for us. Paul in his epistle to the Philippians (4:7) speaks of this as the “peace that passeth all understanding.” It is a present peace that Christ intends all his people to find. His words convince us of this. “My peace I leave with you. Ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Jesus is our ever living and guiding friend. This is a wonderful assurance in a world that is materialistic, that has gone mad in the preparation for atomic war and total destruction. Jesus provides a rest for those who are weary and heavy laden. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. The help that this world can give us is nil. Life is short and soon we pass from this scene. But the friendship of Jesus is unselfish, pure and Divine. He loves us for ourselves and our own love and not for what we may have in worldly goods. Time cannot weary Jesus and death cannot touch him. “He ever liveth to make intercession for us, according to the will of God.” Jesus understands our feelings, he has experienced like trials. When all forsake us, he will not leave us if we are faithful to him. He is able to reward us at last for he alone can say, “Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” His invitation comes to us now, “Whosoever will, let him come, him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.”
When a man becomes enlightened with regard to the requirements of God and is daily trying to conform his life to those requirements, he is at peace in himself. This is a peace, as Jesus said, that the world cannot give.
Life as it now is, we know to be a shadow, a flower that blooms and withers and dies. On the other hand, we know by evidence that cannot be destroyed, that Christ lives. That earth’s future is bound up with his reappearance.
Faithful men and women of past ages were able to rightly evaluate their position. The belief and the faith that they possessed, were well pleasing to God. Of Abraham it is written, ‘He believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.” God made promises to Abraham that His seed should have the everlasting possession of the land of Canaan and that in him and his seed, all families of the earth will be blessed. But Abraham died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, was persuaded of them, and embraced them, confessing that he was a stranger and pilgrim on the earth. Paul tells us in Galatians, (3:16) “To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not to seeds as of many, but as of one and to thy seed, which is Christ.” So Paul makes it very clear that fulfillment of the promises to Abraham will be through the Lord Jesus Christ. And Jesus himself said, “Abraham rejoiced to see my day, he saw it and was glad.” This day of course is the day of the return of Jesus to the earth again. Then will come the resurrection of the dead and Abraham himself will be the subject of resurrection, to life eternal. Abraham had faith in the resurrection, for we learn in Hebrews, (11:19) that concerning his son Isaac, he accounted “that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead.”
This, was the faith of all of the worthies of old. “These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” This is the faith that we should have, faith that God will send Jesus back to earth again, according to His promise. At his coming, the resurrection of the dead will occur and then the reward of eternal life to all the faithful. This is the time of which the Apostle Paul speaks, “Receiving the end of your faith, even salvation of your souls.” Eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
The invitation has been given to us, to inherit the kingdom. Christ said on one occasion, “Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of me.” The Bereans of old did search the Scripture and so were commended by Paul. At the end of his life Paul said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” May we continue in the study of His Word, embrace the one true faith and await the coming of his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to reward all the faithful.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One