What is Biblical Faith?
What is your definition of faith? In the western world “faith” has become a very ordinary and watered down word. Throughout scripture, we see this word interchangeable with the word belief. Both words, in our western mindset, are seen as a mental response and not a physical response. I want to challenge this thinking because faith with only a mental response is not biblical faith according to scripture. If we believe something, it should impact our response and outcome.
The first mention of Biblical faith is found in Genesis 15:6 “Abraham believed upon YHVH and it was counted to him as righteousness”. The Hebrew word used here is aman. It is used more than 100 times throughout scripture. It means to stand firm, to establish, to be certain, or to trust. It is proof of our faith. What did Abraham do to prove he had faith? Did he just mentally agree to what God said, or did he follow through and obey the command of YHVH? Abraham responded to YHVH’s instructions with obedience. He took action!
Many scholars link the origin of the term “faith” with the covenant promises YHVH made with His people in the Tanack, or original testament. One author wrote, “Faith is a summation or expression of the relationship with the Holy One of Israel.” If that is the case, then faith is a very powerful word and should indeed cause us to act in favor of YHVH’s promises because of the relationship we have with Him.
Let’s test the Word and see if there are examples of faith as action.
James 2: 14-17 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
This verse demonstrates, and is in agreement with, the rest of scripture that if you are not doing works, you lack true faith. We cannot be in word only, but also in deed!
John 15: 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please YHVH, for he who comes to Elohim has to believe that He is-and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Recognizing apart from His ways, we cannot please YHVH. This means we can’t make up what is good or what pleases YHVH. We must remain IN Him, meaning demonstrating His character.
Romans 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are declared righteous, but the doers of the law.
The purpose of our faith is to DO. Abraham had to do the command to be declared righteous. Faith is action unto good works. YHVH has defined what is good and righteous in the Tanack. The book of Torah is YHVH’s perfect instructions.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yeshua unto good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
YHVH prepared the GOOD WORKS beforehand that we should WALK in them. That too is action! Again, we see true faith causes us to move towards Elohim.
Imagine how different the Bible would read, if each time we saw the word faith or believe, we understood it to be action? If we read it as “our response of movement” to who YHVH is? I would expect it would read very different to most Christians.
Most of you already know Hebrews 11 is the chapter on Faith. In this section of Scripture, we see people of mighty faith! The chapter starts by providing a definition of having proof of things unseen. We are to be the proof He is real. The real action heroes of all time include Abel who offered the greater sacrifice; Noah who built the boat; Abraham who left his home and was willing to offer up Issac to please YHVH; Moses who lived a life of affliction yet remained faithful; and Rahab who received the spies because of her belief in the God of Israel. Only a few faith heroes were mentioned in this chapter, but the Bible is full of them. These examples confirm that true faith is an action word! They all abandoned things of this “world” for the sake of obedience. That is walking out Biblical faith!
A couple years ago, I prayed hard on this, and I believe YHVH gave me two requirements of faith:
1. Faith requires ACTION! It is not idle. To produce faith then, we must do something bold such as follow the commands of YHVH. We must choose submission to do what pleases Him, and not self.
2. Faith defines our PURPOSE! It gives direction. Faith is a response to our relationship with our Creator, meaning our reaction is in alignment with Him. Yeshua is the husband, and we are the bride. This requires unity.
What are you doing as a demonstration of YOUR faith? How are you taking action to PROVE your faith? If you have not taken inventory of this, take some time to do that. Is your action aligning with the truth of the Scriptures? Are you willing to submit yourself to the authority of your Creator and do what He asks?
