{"id":32615,"date":"2014-05-26T02:40:36","date_gmt":"2014-05-25T18:40:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/?p=32615"},"modified":"2022-02-18T16:25:07","modified_gmt":"2022-02-18T08:25:07","slug":"faith-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/faith-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Is to Believe the Same as Faith? Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

I know it is easy to talk about faith, as it is always easy to tell someone to believe. \u201cJust believe and trust God\u201d, as is often said. In this aspect, we know many people may also speak of \u201cbelieving\u201d as equivalent to \u201cfaith.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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So when we pray and do not get what we pray for, we may often be told that our \u201cfaith is not strong enough.\u201d \u00a0We didn\u2019t fully believe, and that is why we didn\u2019t receive. We can see that this is saying \u201cbelieving\u201d is the same as \u201cto have faith\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Many, of course, will quote Scripture to support this. For Jesus said, \u201cAsk and you shall receive,\u201d<\/em> and \u201cIf you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.\u201d<\/em> Matthew 7:8, 21:22<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So I hope to discuss whether this talk about \u201cfaith is to believe God\u201d is all there is for the Christian, or if there is something missing in all this \u201ctalk\u201d, which does not work out in \u201cpractice\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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To believe or not to believe <\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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I think the place to begin is to consider whether \u201cbelieving\u201d is identical in meaning to \u201cfaith\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In the English language, it is obvious that \u201cto believe\u201d is talking about \u201cbeliefs\u201d. This is because \u201cbelief\u201d is the noun for the verb \u201cbelieve\u201d. Here, we can see that \u201cfaith\u201d is clearly not the same in meaning as \u201cbeliefs\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, in English, we often speak of \u201cto believe\u201d when we are talking about faith! Obviously, this presents a problem. We can see that many will be confused because it is not clear if we are talking about beliefs, believing, or faith. Are there significant differences?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, there is one important difference, at the least.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In the first place, there is no verb in English for faith. We have to \u201cborrow\u201d the word closest in meaning to faith when we speak of the verb \u201cto have faith\u201d. This is the verb, “believe\u201d when we speak of \u201cto have faith\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In this problem, we know \u201cbelieving\u201d and \u201cfaith\u201d speak of trusting God and putting our hopes in God. However, we know we cannot use \u201cbeliefs\u201d to describe our trust and hope in God because we sense something in \u201cfaith\u201d is missing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Part of the meaning content in \u201cfaith\u201d is lost when we speak of \u201cbelieving\u201d, even though we do not intend this. \u00a0We mean \u201cbe faithful\u201d, not \u201cbelieving\u201d. This is because Jesus is going to greet us as \u201cgood and faithful servants\u201d when we see Him. Jesus won\u2019t call us \u201cbelieving servants\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The Measure of Faith<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The English Language is not a primitive language. It is well developed, and its sophistication and beauty can be seen in its ability to adapt so many different ideas and words from other languages. So, if it seems strange that the verb for faith is missing, it is speaking volumes about the content and meaning of faith. This is to say that words often cannot fully express an idea.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We can see this clearly when we speak of \u201cunbelievable\u201d, \u201cin disbelief\u201d, and \u201cunbelief\u201d to describe aspects about the lack of belief. So when there is \u201clittle faith\u201d, we sense that faith cannot be measured by common quantitative terms, and neither can \u201cbelief\u201d be accounted for by qualitative terms.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

However, for the moment, we must put aside these thoughts, and consider first the significance when we have no corresponding verb for faith.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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When we have faith<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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In Scripture, the Hebrew and Greek meanings of the word \u201cfaith\u201d speak of acting faithfully by walking with God. It is about \u201ctrust and obey\u201d when we \u201cbelieve\u201d in God. So to have \u201cfaith\u201d means more than to \u201cbelieve\u201d, as we sense or comprehend.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In the Old Testament, the Israelites believed in God, of course. But many were not faithful or godly in their lives. The Exodus generation was one example. The fall of Judah to the Babylonians was another. God rejected these Israelites.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Thus faith must be seen in godly ways in our living. This is not about \u201cworks\u201d for salvation, of course, but about being faithful to God. This speaks of faith that is alive, not merely something in our ideas about God. Our lives are the testimonies of living faith. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We remember that Jesus said to obey His commandments when He talked about faith. Jesus did not talk about our beliefs. Here are some of them:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot all who says to me, \u2019Lord, Lord\u2019 shall enter the Kingdom of God, but only he who does the will of My Father.\u201d<\/em> Matthew7:21<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To the Jews, Jesus said, \u201cIf you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples.\u201d<\/em> John 8:31<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my commandment: Love one another as I love you.\u201d <\/em>John 15:17<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus taught that we need to obey also, when we have faith. It is more than merely the idea in \u201cbelieving\u201d that Jesus saves us!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If someone chooses to live a worldly life and does as he pleases, he has not turned away from the sinful world. The person cannot claim Jesus saves him from sin because he didn\u2019t actually mean it! Consequently, his life is not \u201cborn again\u201d, for his heart is not regenerated. He is not a new creation in Jesus. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If we are to show our faith in God is alive, we must show love in our lives. This is because God is love. Thus Jesus commanded us to love one another because love is from God.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is written: \u201cIf we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>\u00a0\u00a01 John 1:6<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So we are careful not to \u201cpluck\u201d a verse out of its context in Scripture to support what we are saying about \u201cbelieving\u201d. In this way, we restrict this problem due to the lack of an English verb for \u201cfaith\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Theory and Practice<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Faith is something that is \u201cpractical\u201d and not just \u201ccheap talk\u201d.\u00a0 The problem is not new.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

James spoke of this in his letter because many talked about \u201cbelieving\u201d also. Thus in James 2:14 \u2013 24, we find the Lord\u2019s brother told early Christians what was wrong with their \u201ctheory\u201d about faith. James asked, \u201cWhat good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

James was saying that talk is cheap when you only ask someone to believe! James said that if a brother or sister is hungry, don\u2019t just tell him or her to trust God. That is for the person to do.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We did nothing by talking! It is because we did not do anything to help him. James was saying that we have not shown love for the brother or sister! Our faith is sleeping! So, if we want to show we have faith in God, we must put our words into action. If we do not help, we should shut up.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Clearly, there were theologians even in the early church who taught that believing was sufficient for a Christian because he was saved by faith through grace. The emphasis was on theological reasoning.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In contrast, Scripture declares, \u201cYou believe in one God? You do well. The demons also believe — and shudder!\u201d <\/em>James 2:19<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So in his letter, James counselled godliness and wisdom in Christ for the Gospel. We need to be godly when we believe in Jesus. God commanded this. Our good works are the fruit of the Spirit. Faith shows itself in our living. So it is written: \u201cShow me your faith without works (deeds), and I will show you how my faith is \u201cworking\u201d by what I do!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I think this is something very practical that James gave us in Scripture. \u00a0When we are godly, Jesus knows, and people also can see our faithfulness. We are walking with God and can claim Jesus\u2019 promise. So we know what we ask will be given. God answers our prayers because God is faithful in His promises.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To this end, it is well to see how some of these relate in the Gospel for our blessings. Here is one account where Jesus said faith was present and \u201cliving\u201d through the actions of the person.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The Healing of the Paralytic<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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In Matthew 9:1-8 and Mark 2:1-12, we have the account of a paralytic who was prevented from meeting Jesus on account of the crowd in the house. His four friends made an opening in the roof and then lowered the man on a mat to Jesus.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus saw their faith, and said to the man, \u201cSon, your sins are forgiven.\u201d<\/em> Mark 2:5<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 remarks caused an outcry from the teachers of the law. For these theologians, they could only see that God alone forgave sins. Yet, what Jesus said is very important about faith.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is because faith is the basis for us to be made right with God. We know Abraham believed (had faith in) God and this was credited to him as righteousness. Abraham acted by living as God commanded.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What Jesus said was that the paralytic has been justified before God because he sought God by acting in faith. Therefore Jesus forgave his sins, to attest that he had been made right with God. Jesus exercised this authority because He is the Son of God. This is more important than merely healing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So Jesus assured the paralytic that he had been put right before God on account of faith. When sins are forgiven, a person is no longer separated from God. Then Jesus asked him to take up his mat and walk.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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NB: Scripture texts are from NIV.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Note:\u00a0<\/strong>Mr Yeo Teck Thiam is a retireer who used to work as a chemical engineer, specializing in food and perfume chemistry for an international food company and perfumer. His other main interest is astronomy and other mathematical matters, relating to the Biblical passages. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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I know it is easy to talk about faith, as it is always easy to tell someone to believe. \u201cJust believe and trust God\u201d, as is often said. In this aspect, we know many people […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32623,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[293,923,204,538,1178,5271,77,891,44,4243],"class_list":{"0":"post-32615","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-inspirational","8":"tag-christian","9":"tag-christian-in-malaysia","10":"tag-christianity","11":"tag-christianity-malaysia","12":"tag-church-in-malaysia","13":"tag-is-to-believe-the-same-as-faith-part-1","14":"tag-jesus","15":"tag-jesus-in-malaysia","16":"tag-malaysia","17":"tag-yeo-teck-thiam"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32615"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32615\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66432,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32615\/revisions\/66432"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32623"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}