The words faith and believe are used less than 30 times in the Old Testament translation of the NASB, while faithful, faithfulness, and trust are used frequently. The Old Testament is very concrete and action oriented, so faith involves action. The New Testament more utilizes the concept and intention of faith and belief, but it is still centered on active faith (1). Habakkuk 2:4 says “live by his faith”, not ‘has faith’. Faith is not an opinion or perspective or considered truth; it is a deeply held belief that changes your actions. Your stated belief is not the point. Your practical (acted upon) belief is.
Consider Hezekiah’s faith in 2 Kings 18:3-6: “He did right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done. He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan. He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. For he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses.” “He trusted” is in the context of all that he did to demonstrate that he was “following Him”.
The way that Hezekiah was able to do these things was by keeping the commandments of God. Obedience acceptable to God comes from a heart of faith. If someone says to you that they believe in Jesus, ask them if they are a follower of Jesus. Do they obey His Word, not just the convenient parts, but the whole? “Faith without works is dead.” (2)
Question 45: What is the duty which God requires of man?
Answer: The duty which God requires of man is the obedience that comes from faith.
Galatians 5:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:11; Romans 1:5; 16:26; 15:18.
Question 46: What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
Answer: The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the moral law.
Rom. 2:14; 15; 5:13, 14.
- James 2:14-26
- James 2:26
CreatorWorship 