Faith to Faithfulness

Faith to Faithfulness

 “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must (first) believe that he exists”   He.11:6                                                                                 “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful^” 1 Co. 4:2

The Christian life must both begin and end with faith. We begin by “drawing near” to God by Faith, then it is “required” that we are found “faithful” at the end of our Christian journey.  Both the words “faith’ and “faithful” are derived from the same Greek word “pistis”.  Although the conjugation that results in the two different interpretations of this word is minor, the difference in their meanings is not.

        Faith as used in scripture describes the belief and acceptance of the person and plan of God. The Hebrews text quoted above tells us that a relationship with God must begin with simply believing in His existence. Our Bible begins its narrative with the statement “In the beginning God”.  With each of the new believers I have discipled, I have always begun our discipleship with this foundational truth. I challenge the student to take time to think on this truth, searching their own hearts, to make sure they truly believe in the existence of God.  Without this truth being confidently laid at the foundation of our thinking, the many teachings that follow the Bible's opening verse will have little impact upon our hearts and minds.  We must believe in God!

        What we believe about God is the next most important thing that shapes our Christian lives. The 1828 Websters dictionary describes God as “the Supreme Being, an eternal and infinite spirit”, and “the creator and sovereign of the universe”. It does so because this is how God has described Himself in the pages of our Bible.  God’s own continued revelation of who He is can be also found throughout the Bible according to “what He does”.  He is a Savior, a Deliverer, and a Rewarder of those who put their faith in these promises.  John describes Him as “the Logos” or “the Word”. This means that the being of God is intrinsic with the plan He has for us. Therefore “faith” is believing in God, accepting His description of His character, and then embracing the plan He has for mankind.  James tells us that the demons believe in God, but it is obvious by their actions that they only believe in His existence, and not in His character or His plan.

        For “faith” to become the “faithfulness” that scripture declares God requires for salvation, it must show the fruit that comes with believing in God’s revelation of His character, and in His revealed plan for men. Where “faith” is the profession of belief in God, “faithfulness” is the practice of believing in God.  Faith must prove itself faithful if it is to be a saving faith. This is what James was teaching saying “faith without works is dead”. 

       The life of faith to faithfulness is portrayed best in the analogy of a race as is done in the chapters of first Corinthians nine, Hebrews twelve, and in second Timothy four. We begin that race by simply having “faith” in God.  However, according to each of these chapters, we are called to “run to receive the prize”(1 Co.9), to “run with endurance” (He.12), and to “finish the race” (2 Tim.4). Each of these analogies speaks of the importance of finishing the race if we are to receive the prize. Faithfulness is what causes us to run, endure, and finish the race.  What begins as a “profession of faith” must endure as a “practice of faithfulness” if it is to meet God’s requirement for the way of salvation. We must all, as the Lord has declared “be found faithful” in our life of faith if we are to recieve the reward of eternal life.