Faith and Counterfeit Faith

The word “faith” is a noun. Faith is credit given to a declaration or promise on the authority of the person who makes it, whether it be directly expressed or simply implied. Jesus said to the nobleman of Capernaum,

John 4:50, “Go thy way; thy son lives. The man believed in the word Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.”

Jesus said to the blind man in John 9:7, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,”  “He went his way, therefore, and washed, and came seeing.” The blind man believed and received his sight.

The term faith is used in the same sense in our every day language. When we ask for directions, we first inquire; and on the faith of this information, we follow that person’s directions.

A large part of our knowledge is derived from the information of others, and to what degree we trust them depends on the credit and value we give to their words. Therefore to believe and to know are sometimes used interchangeably.

John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son (Jesus) hath everlasting life.” Compare this to,

John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” Not that knowledge and faith are synonymous terms, but faith is the consent, or the agreeing of a persons mind to the truth of what someone else has declared; thus resting on their authority and veracity, without any other evidence.

Faith is distinguished from sight or observation. It is a way in which we become acquainted with “the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1) To the testimony of others which we receive and credit, is the means by which we may obtain the knowledge of things which are not the subject of our own personal observation.

2 Cor. 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

So it is the acquiescence or agreement of the mind to the understanding of the truth of what God has revealed. It is the simple belief of the Scriptures, of God’s being and of His perfections. Also of the existence, character and doctrines of Christ founded on the testimony of Scriptures.

Faith is distinguished from presumption. Presumption is to have confidence without sufficient authority or power behind it. When the Israelites passed through the Red sea, they believed the promise that they would gain a safe passage.

Exodus 14:16, The LORD said to Moses, “Lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”

On the other hand, the Egyptians had no such promise or declaration given to them by God. Therefore it was not faith, but presumption on their part, that influenced them to follow the Israelites into the sea. Heb.11:29, “By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying (attempted), to do were drowned.”

When the Israelites believed the promises of protection and the successes they would have, they could go forward boldly against their enemies. On the other hand, when they had doubt, or had rejected God, we read in,

Numbers 14:11, “And the LORD said unto Moses, how long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?” The courage of the people would fail them and doubt set in.

Numbers 14:3, the people said, “Wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? Were it not better for us to return into Egypt?”

When Jehovah’s promises were withdrawn, because of the peoples’ unbelief and/ or disobedience, we read, Num.14:42, “Go not up, for the LORD is NOT among you; that ye be not smitten (defeated) before your enemies.”

It was no longer faith on their part; the Lord had made no declaration, so it was only presumption on their part. This presumption influenced them to go up against their enemies. As they pressed forward, marching with no promise of faith from God, the results were disastrous.

Numbers 14:45, “The Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in the hill, and smote (killed) them, and discomfited them.” God warned Moses; Moses warned the people. Yet the people refused to hear; and therefore, they were destroyed.

Justifying faith or saving faith, is the understanding of our minds to the truth of God’s revelation and of the authority of God’s testimony. This is accompanied with the full consent of our own will, and with the approving of our own minds.

To have a full confidence and trust in God’s character and declarations, and in the character and doctrines of Jesus Christ is faith. True faith is to be unreserved in surrender of our wills to His guidance, and dependence on His merits for salvation. In other words, it is a firm belief of Christ’s testimony and of the truth of the Gospel, which influences the will, and leads to an full resting on Christ for our personal salvation.

Romans  4:25, and 5:1, “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification,” … Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God (the Father) through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Faith is the belief of God’s declarations, whether relating to the past, Heb.11:3, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God” or it refers to the present.

Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is,” or to the future,

Hebrews 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house.”

The object of belief is the Almighty. The doctrine or system of doctrines believed and the revealed truths received by Christians is through the teaching of the word.

Gal.1:23, “But they had heard only, that he = (Paul) which persecuted us in times past now preaches the faith which once he destroyed.”

The expression of a person’s emotions, accompanying their belief of a declaration, or the action prompted by such belief, is the outward evidence of that faith. An example follows in Acts 2:36-37,

Peter had protested to the people of Jerusalem, “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When the people heard Peter’s declaration, they believed its truth, and were “pricked (cut or pierced) in the heart.” There was great emotions that accompanied their belief, they cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Here was the expression of their emotions, and the evidence of their faith, Acts 2:41, “They that gladly received his word were baptized.”

In Hebrews 11:7, God warned Noah of His determination to punish the wickedness of men. He instructed Noah to build an ark, which He assured him would save him and his family from the destruction to come. Noah believed God, and “moved with fear.” Why? because he believed and feared in God’s judgments, “he (Noah) prepared an ark to the saving of his house.” We see the action and outcome of Noah’s faith. Both the emotion and the action corresponded to the object of his belief; this being the evidence and the reality of Noah’s faith in God’s word.

We have a similar instance of faith and its evidence in the case of Jonah and the people of Nineveh, Jonah 3:5 reads, “So the people of Nineveh believed God.” The people proclaimed a fast, put on sackcloth, the king removed his robe and he himself put on sackcloth. The animals were also covered. The people cried unto God, they turned from their evil ways and violence. Ver. 10, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented (relented from the disaster).”

Unbelief is seen when people withhold or show a lack of faith; usually accompanied by a lack of emotion, or action.

We see this in, Gen.19:14. Lot had warned his sons-in-law of the coming destruction of the city of Sodom. Lot urged them to leave, but they believed him not. In this case concerning Lot’s son-in-laws and their unbelief, they had no fear of the approaching calamity, nor did they have any desire to escape from the city; Why, because they believed not, therefore they were killed.

Again, we have a striking example of both faith and of unbelief, in the same circumstances, shown by corresponding but opposite consequences, in the conduct of the Egyptians. Ex.9:20-21, Moses had told Pharaoh that His (Moses) God would send a intense hail storm, one which would destroy every creature on whom it fell. He warned them to gather in their cattle and bring their servants in from the fields.

We read, “He that feared the word of the LORD,” (because they believed Moses declaration,) “made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.” Verse 25 “the hail smote (killed) throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast.”

The promises of God, His truth and faithfulness,

Romans 3:3, “Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” The answer is no.

Because the Lord’s word is true and His promises certain, whoever believes and trusts in His promises, will never be disappointed. There is a connection, a sure link between faith and a person’s success and progress. This needs to be coupled with patience on our part.

One instance is found in Hebrews 11:32-34, concerning Gideon. He was encouraged by God, and given assurance of success against an enemy that greatly out numbered him. God said, “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites; have not I sent thee?” Later in the story by a more special promise, God said to him, “By the three hundred men that lapped (drank water from the river), will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand.” Gideon had faith in the promises of God, so he attacked, and as God had promised, he destroyed the enemy. Gideon believed, and according to his faith, he acted upon God’s promises, and succeeded. The story is found in Judges 6 and 7.

There is a similar connection between unbelief and failure. We read in Numbers 14, that the Israelites had a promise from God, that they could possess and conquer the land of Canaan. But they needed to,

1. Believed the promise;

2. And advanced against the enemy, as Joshua and Caleb had urged them; if they had believed and acted in this promise and urging, they would have been successful.

Because they trusted in themselves, having doubting the LORD word, they stood in fear, the results were,

1. They did not attack,

2. They did not gain possession of the land God had promised to them. Therefore, Heb.3:19, “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

Those who believe in God’s promises of blessings given in this life will press on and will obtain a sure victory. Hebrews 11:33-34, speaks of the Old Testament faithful, “Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions … waxed valiant in fight = (battles) turned to flight the armies of the aliens (foreigners.)” So those who believe the doctrines and promises of the Gospel and trust in Christ Jesus shall obtain eternal life. John 3:15, Jesus said, “That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

Faith in Christ Jesus which in the N. T. is connected with salvation combines the act of understanding with confidence and belief with trust.

John 15:16, Jesus said, “Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name,” (that is, all that is dependent upon my works, interests, and promises,) “He (the Father) shall give it you.”

Christ was preached to both the Jew and the Gentiles, as one they could trust in. They were told that He was the only true sacrifice for sin. Upon this teaching, both the Jews’ and Gentiles’ were required to renounce their dependence upon their own sacrifices, their foreign beliefs, their idols, and transfer that dependence to Christ’s works, death and resurrection, He being the only Mediator between man and His Father who is seated at the throne in heaven. So,

Matthew 12:21, “And in His (Jesus) name shall the Gentiles trust.”

Jesus is said to be set forth as the atoning sacrifice.

Romans 3:25, “to be a propitiation (the mercy seat) through faith in His blood.”

This does not merely mean that we believe the historical facts that His life was given, and that His blood was shed by a violent death, or that the understanding that His shed blood had some kind of atoning quality.

These new Christians were not to believe in the same old ways and systems the Jews and Gentiles had trusted in, or that His blood had some form of power, or means to make amends for sin. But this new faith required a trust which was now to be exclusively rendered to the work and death of Christ, as the only appointed sacrifice for sin, and the only refuge for mankind.

So when our minds fully understand this new Gospel message, it will bring a change to our body, soul and spirit: also to our understanding of evil, to the dangers of sin, and to attain a hunger and a driving desire for salvation. The Spirit of God will then work with man’s spirit, which will bring forth true repentance. We must reject any other form, method or promise of salvation, trusting fully in Jesus as Savior. And fully understanding and believing by faith all of the merits of/in the work performed by Him. Therefore we shall receive Christ, trust in Him fully and commit the keeping of our whole person unto His hands, this in a full and humble confidence of His ability and His willingness to save us, “He came to seek and to save the lost.”

When we receive Christ in this manner, we are acknowledging our guilt and have no righteousness in ourselves. In this we honor both the Father and Son, who is our only Redeemer. This act on our part glorifies God’s mercy and His free grace to the highest degree. It acknowledges on earth and in heaven forever that the whole salvation of sinful man is from the Father, and from the merits and intercession of Christ, and the promise of and through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Counterfeit Faith:

Let’s talk about counterfeit faith. James 2:17, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead,” This kind of faith, is not faith at all, even as counterfeit money is not money, or a dead man is not a man but a corpse.

When we do not believe the things that God declares, even when we are convinced that it is He that has spoken, we can be assured that He knows what is in our hearts, because He cannot lie. Following are examples of counterfeit faith. A direct proof of this deep rooted blindness and hardness of man’s heart follows.

1 Cor. 2:14, “But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (unable to comprehend.)

John 3:11-12, Jesus said, “We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness (only Jesus is here intended). If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?”

Eph.2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

Eph.4:18, “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:” We cannot conceive of a more bold ungodliness than to discredit the God of truth, and in effect, to “make him a liar.”

1 John 5:10, “he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God (the Father) gave of His Son.”

In summary, Faith is all of the following combined:

The idea of “Faith” in Scripture can sometimes be taken for the truth and faithfulness of God,

Romans 3:3, “For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” Answer, of course not!

It’s also taken for the winning over of the mind as to the lawfulness of things indifferent. Romans 14:22-23, “Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows (approves). And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

It’s also put for the doctrine of the Gospel, which is the object of faith,

Acts 24:24, “When Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.”

Phil.1:27, “let your conversation be as it becomes the Gospel of Christ.” Jude 3, “It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith.”

It’s the belief and profession of the Gospel by us,

Romans 1:8, “I thank my God = (the Father) through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”

Christian trustworthiness will be seen in their performance concerning the promises God has made. Christian faithfulness and fidelity is the strict adherence to our obligations and in the fulfillment of promises made.

An open profession of Gospel truth, Romans 1:8, “Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”

To have a belief in the lawfulness of things which have no preference, or interest, Romans 14:22, “Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God.”

Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com