Faith / Works

One of the problems we have when discussing bible topics is that we use bible words which mean nothing and anything. Faith is such a word.

The Bible defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, based on the KJV identifies all words translated ‘faith” in James as #4102. #4102 is defined as conviction (of a religious truth, or the truthfulness of God, or a religious teacher) especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstract constancy in such a profession’ by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: ---assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines faith as: 1) unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence; 2) unquestioning belief in God, religious tenets etc. 3) a religion or system of religious beliefs; 4) anything believed; 5) complete trust, confidence, or reliance; 6) allegiance to some person or thing; loyalty.

When James says faith without works is dead all he is saying is our assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen have not affected our lives at all. Our reliance upon Christ for salvation has not changed us in the least. Our unquestioning belief in God has not had any affect on us. How can anyone believe in God, rely on Christ for salvation, have assurance and hope without it causing major changes in our life? James is saying it cannot.

When Paul writes to the church in Corinth “we walk by faith, not by sight” he uses the same word James uses. To walk by faith is to walk by our assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen; our reliance upon Christ for salvation; our unquestioning belief in God. To do that our lives of necessity will have been changed. When we walk by sight we are walking as we are able to see. We are relying on ourselves not God the Father not the Son and not the Holy Spirit.

When Paul writes to the church in Ephesus “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Again the word translated faith is #4102. Instead of walking by faith we are saved through faith. The word translated “through” is #1223 in Strong’s Concordance. #1223 is defined as: denoting the channel of an act; because of; by; for (cause); by reason of; for sake; that, thereby, therefore. “Works” is #2041, (to work), toil, (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act: ---deed, doing, labor, work.

We are saved through our unquestioning belief in God, our reliance upon Christ for salvation which causes changes to occur in our lives. We are to be a channel where God’s will may be done on earth (in our lives) as it is in Heaven.