Faith and the Armor of God
Ravi Zacharis said in reference to the effort required to do God's work, "When belief in God becomes difficult, the tendency is to Turn away from Him". I will add to that the opposite end of the spectrum, that when life becomes easy, the tendency is to turn away from Him. It takes effort on the part of every person who has accepted the call of Christ on their life, to stay connected to that call. No one is immune to the disease of complacency and Entropy. If we do not continue our efforts to live the life of Christ and to preach Jesus Christ to change the world, then real shortly the world will change us.
-What Do We Need Faith For?-
1- Good Times - they cause us to forget God
2- Trials - they cause us to blame God
3- Attacks from satan - he causes us to doubt God (see "The Armor of God" connection below)
4- Apostasy that must take place from within the body of believers [1Ti 4:1-3] [2Ti 3:1-3] [2Ti 4:3-4][2Th 2:3]
First -Some Definitions-
pro-active - adjective
1. taking action by causing change and not only reacting to change when it happens
-synonym: 'pre-emptive'
-Antonym: passive [EG: church of Laodicea]
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-An understanding of the word pro-active is important to be able to fully understand the concept of our biblical belief & faith systems. I use the phrase 'biblical belief & faith systems' because when it comes to spiritual things and walking in the Spirit, you cannot separate them. You can believe in anything, real or imagined. Most Christians today think that we have faith because we claim to be Christians, yet many Christians have no evidence of faith beyond the claim of faith.
-Other religions conjure up soulish, or satanic faith. Some Charismatics ‘work up’ a false faith through music or by powerful speech.
-The Word says that the heart is deceitfully wicked, who can know it? James, inspired by the Holy Spirit said that even demons believe and shudder. But that does not do them any good. So belief by itself is useless. Belief by itself is passive. However, Biblical belief & faith allows the power of Almighty God to be active in your life.
-Faith also can be meaningless. You could purchase a lottery ticket believing that you had a revelation of the winning numbers. And in faith that you indeed had the winning ticket, go out and charge all your cards to the max. This is active faith applied wrong.
-Biblical Faith cannot be passive, and it is a sin to misappropriate faith. Faith without works is dead Jam 2:17. Actually, faith without works is a mockery.
-In the Bible there is only one Greek word that is translated both believe and faith; [pistis: belief or faith] which the Greek 'grouped' the concept of the two English words. But because it takes two separate words to define the concept we tend to hold them as two separate concepts.
Belief -
1-Fully persuaded that the Bible is Truth, that it was inspired by God through the Holy Spirit, and that it testifies of Jesus Christ.
2-that the object of your belief [Jesus Christ - John 3.16;] lines up with the Word
Faith -
[Webster] - In theology, the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of what God has revealed. Evangelical, justifying, or saving faith, is the assent of the mind to the truth of divine revelation, on the authority of God's testimony, accompanied with a cordial assent of the will or approbation of the heart; an entire confidence or trust in God's character and declarations, and in the character and doctrines of Christ, with an unreserved surrender of ‘your will’ to His guidance, and dependence on His merits for salvation. In other words, that firm belief of God's testimony, and of the truth of the gospel, which influences the will, and leads to an entire reliance on Christ for salvation.
1- is the evidence of your belief system, [being 'fully persuaded] produces a 'Hunger & Thirst' for righteousness, the Word is righteous. [Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom 10:17;]
2- is ONLY developed through the dual working of the A}- Holy Spirit, and B}- the investment of study of the Word.
We are justified by faith Rom 5:1;
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb 11:6;
We walk by faith and not by sight. 2Co 5:7;
How many Christians today say that they will step out in faith after they are confident of success.
Diligence - G4710 spoude; from G4692; haste, diligence: - diligence, earnestness, effort, hurry.
- to make every effort as quickly as possible. To pursue & acquire [Pro 4:7] [Rom 12:11] (read chapter 12) an admonition to all Christians to exercise all diligence to walk in the Spirit towards all things and all people.
Righteousness -[Vines Dictionary]
The man who trusts in Christ 'becomes the righteousness of God in Him' [2Co 5:21] i.e. becomes in Christ all that God requires a man to be, all that man could never be in himself. Because Abraham accepted the Word of God, making it his own by that act of the mind and spirit which is called faith, and, as the sequel showed, submitting himself to its control, therefore God accepted him as one who fulfilled the whole of His requirements [Rom 4:3].
-Obedience-is a natural byproduct of belief and faith-
Not only is obedience a byproduct of a pro-active faith, it is also a requirement [Rom 2:13][Jas 1:22-25][Joh 15:14]. We cannot confuse obedience to the law prior to salvation, in order to [earn] salvation, with obedience after salvation in order to prove our love for Christ and acceptance of His terms of salvation, after all the first and second commandments require obedience. You cannot find a scripture that implies that obedience is optional just as there is no option on how we come to Christ in the first place, and that is through Jesus Christ only, even though today many are trying to soften the requirements. see 1 John chapters 1, 2, & 3 for more complete study on this subject.
There are two phases to the concept of faith -
1. the development of our faith - which is the sanctification process which includes proficiency in knowledge of scripture,
2. the action of our faith -and two phases in the action of our faith;
a] to receive the promises of God,
b] to do the commands of God.
Both are equally important. We are not CALLed to God simply to receive His promises. He has [on purpose] given to each one of us talents and jobs that He wants to perform through us. To be idle is to rest in disobedience and defiance to the wishes and purposes of God. It shows that we do not understand the work and cost of the Cross.
The New Testament is a covenant / contract between two parties, and it clearly points out the obligations of both parties EG: John 3.16;. Through study of the word the Holy Spirit gives us understanding in the word which builds our faith. God wants us to act on His instructions in two primary areas;
1) His instructions for living His righteousness, and
2) faith that He will fulfill His promises. (see section on OUR BASIS FOR FAITH)
Eph 2:8-10; says that we are NOT saved BY works, but saved FOR works. Works comes OUT OF our proactive belief / faith system.
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.[1Ti 6:17-19]
Works DO NOT save us - or - get us to heaven. Works brings light to others; causes other to respond to the gospel.
-IF WE HAVE NO WORKS, WE HAVE NO FAITH.-
Please understand the difference between the Bible's position that [no faith] is separation from God, and many others that say that being displeasing to God is OK and that you are still secure.
Jam 2:17; So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead
[Heb 11:6] and without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.
Jer 23:17 They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "You shall have peace" '; And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.' "
We must understand that [Heb 11:6] is the language that is used to describe an unsaved person. Not pleasing to God, Dead in faith, without response to the Holy Spirit. Plus, as we learn in [2Pe 1:1] and elsewhere, that our faith is given to us by Jesus Christ in order that we can respond positively to the call of the Holy Spirit, and then to allow that faith to die is an affront to God. The first four verses of 2 Peter tell us that God has given us the faith to believe unto salvation, and that He has given us everything [not minimums] we need for living a godly life so that we can share in His divine nature. There is no higher calling that a person can receive, and that is why the book of Hebrews is filled with warnings about neglecting this great salvation.
[Joh 15:14] You are my friends if you do what I command you.
[Jam 2:24] You see then that a man is justified by works, and not only by faith.
[Jam 2:17] you see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed [made perfect] by his works.
[Gal 5:6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision no uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
[PREACHER'S commentary] The faith which God requires must be accompanied by appropriate action. To believe in God and to not obey Him is the very essence of sin. It is missing the mark; it is falling short of the glory of God. Our faith must show itself in action. see [The PREACHER'S COMMENTARY Jas 2:14-26; written by Dr. Paul Cedar published by Lloyd Ogilvie]
Good works:
Jesus an example of
Joh 10:32; Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?"
Act 10:38; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Jesus is the example we are to follow.
God remembers your efforts to please Him
Heb 6:9-10; By our obedience to God's instructions, our confidence of God's rewards & answers to our prayers will be unwavering.
Shall be brought into judgment
Ecc 12:14; For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
2Co 5:10; For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
In the judgment, works will be an evidence of faith
Mat 25:34-40;
Jam 2:14-20;
God is glorified by
Joh 15:8 ISV; This is how my Father is glorified, when you produce a lot of fruit and prove to be my disciples.
Designed to lead others to glorify God
Mat 5:16; In the same way, let your light shine before people in such a way that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
1Pe 2:12; Continue to live such upright lives among the gentiles that, when they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God when he visits them in judgment.
A blessing attends
Jam 1:25; But the one who looks at the perfect law of freedom and remains committed to it-thus proving that he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of what it requires-will be blessed in what he does. [ISV]
Rom 2:13; For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified
WE have no excuse –
2Co 9:8; And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
[[NLT] says: "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. "
So How Do We Implement God's Faith in our Life?
Faith is only operative when we are humbled and dependent upon God and obedient to His Word. Faith is not perpetual motion.
A}- Humbled is when we recognize our inadequacies and our need for God's Spirit to be active in our life.
B}- Dependence upon God only happens when we get self out of the way. Dependence only happens when we are humbled in step A above.
C}- Obedience to God's instructions is a requirement, and that requirement is not too hard for anyone. [Deu 30:11] READ CHAPTER 30 -- Obedience only happens when we are dependent [part B] upon God. Disobedience is as simple as doing nothing, being a hearer only. Disobedience shows that we are dependent upon ourselves and independent of God.
Obedience comes only as we grow in the knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, and as we grow in the knowledge of Christ, He gives us great and precious promises, and these promises enable us to share in His divine nature, and to escape the world's corruption which is caused by human desires. [2Pe 1:2-5]
D}- We need to confess our sinful nature regularly [1Jn 1:9]
E}- We need to be pro-active 'doers of the Word' [Jas 1:22] which requires pro-active obedience.
F}- We need to be pro-active in spiritual growth [2Pe 1:5-10]
G}- We need to be very diligent in the pursuit of wisdom and understanding [Pro 4:5-9]
H}- We need to ask [Mat 7:7-8]
-OUR BASIS FOR FAITH-
Our basis for faith is that faith that pleases God, comes first of all from God, it is NOT our fleshly faith, He imputes faith to us to be able to believe spiritually, and secondly, it comes from the promises that God inspired in the text of the Word. (Scripture tells us that God is in control in all situations)
It is fear that causes our faith to wane...
[Mar 4:40] And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
...and causes us to revert our attention to the 'things we see' rather than walking by faith [2Co 5:7].
Jesus continually reminds us to 'Fear Not! [Luk 12:7] [Luk 12:32]
The Old Testament is filled with the same encouragements and examples for putting our trust in God which will remove our fears. [Psa 46:1-11]
-Jesus Addresses Little Faith- Be sure to read the context of these verses to get the full impact.
Mat 8:26, Mat 16:8, [Mat 17:19-21] [Mar 11:22-26] Rom 4:18-20;(read all of Rom 4) 1Ti 2:8; Jam 1:6-8; [Mat 6:30] [Mat 14:31] [Luk 8:25]
-The Armor of God Connection-
Many people think that the act of faith and the Armor of God are two separate issues. However, they are required parts of each other. Faith is required for 'putting on the armor', and faith is also part of the armor. The parts of the Armor of God are:
-
- The belt of Truth
- The breastplate of righteousness
- Feet shod with the gospel of Peace
- The shield of Faith
- The helmet of salvation
- And pray in the Spirit
All of these 'parts' are metaphors for spiritual attributes that must be in the believers quiver in order to [Stand] in our daily spiritual battles. All of the parts are required to work together to enable fully functional armor. God first, gives us the faith to accept His Word as Truth. We have to be able to accept all scripture [Psa 119:160] [2Ti 3:16] as Truth without wavering, or else we will always have a weak link that allows doubt to defeat us. The breastplate of righteous is our acts of obedience that come from being involved in the sanctification process. We can quickly see why being involved in discipleship training is necessary.
The feet being shod with the gospel of Peace shows that we are not the aggressors, but that we are the purveyors of God's Love and good news. The helmet of salvation is often misunderstood as the 'point of salvation', but if we put that limit on this important spiritual attribute, we have completely missed the context of this passage of scripture. Salvation is more than simply ‘being saved from sin and wrath’. The Greek word sozo, used throughout the New Testament for being saved [1 Cor. 1.18; 2 Cor. 2.15], includes deliverance, healing, and provision. The Helmet of Salvation is the Power that God bestows upon us to be able to ‘stand against the wiles of the devil’. The context of Ephesians 6 is that we are in a spiritual battle against unseen forces, and only God can deliver us as victors in this battle. When we 'put on' the helmet, we are acknowledging that God's promises are Truth and that He is faithful in all respects on our behalf.
The shield of faith is the Word of God. When satan tempted Jesus, Jesus overcame those temptations by use of the Word [Old Testament]. The Word of God is powerful and necessary to live life by. This is why we cannot casually read the bible and think that we have completed our duties to God. The Word is vital for wisdom, understanding, knowledge, discernment, spiritual battles, our relationships with men, and our relationships with God. The Word brings health to our bodies [Pro 4:22] and it is the only standard by which we can judge all of life's circumstances and trials. The Word is so important that Jesus read and taught them daily, He fulfilled the prophecies and they tell what is going to happen in the future.
Praying in the Spirit is vital because when we pray in the Spirit, we are praying according to the will and desires of God for our lives and the lives of others. Praying in the Spirit is not a natural attribute, but one that comes with spiritual growth which includes bearing the fruit of the Spirit. (For further study see the expanded study on 'What is Prayer')
In this spiritual battle, we are instructed to [Stand], which cannot happen in the power of our flesh, but only as we comply with God's instructions. It is then that we have God's guarantee and promise that if 'these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful' and ' for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; [2Pe 1:5-10].
-Warning! Warning! Warning!-
The adventure of growing in faith will at times seem impossible to the point that you will want to throw in the towel and give up. It will seem as though God has forsaken you and that it isn't worth the struggle. But those times are only a test. Those times will come to every believer that wants to walk in the Spirit, to be ‘led by God’. Those times are there to test your resolve to be dependent upon God rather than [your ability] to come to the rescue in your own wisdom and strength. Those times are there to test your resolve to listen to the Holy Spirit reminding you, and guiding you in the scriptures you have hidden in your hearts and mind [Joh 14:26]. Those are the times [in the beginning] that you will hate because it is a struggle between the flesh and the spirit, and the flesh is going to put up a fierce struggle, but though patient persistence in reviewing these scriptures regularly, you will be able to overcome the flesh. But after you [learn] to overcome, then you will see why James says "to count it all joy when you fall into various temptations" [Jas 1:2-4]. Read chapter 2 & 3 of Revelation to see the rewards Jesus has ready for those who overcome the flesh.
Would you like to grow spiritually?
Are you interested in living a vibrant life in Jesus Christ? Living a mediocre Christian life is way below what Christ called us to. The mediocre, average Christian life is mundane and not exciting. Jesus has more for us. All we have to do is transfer our dependence on ‘things’ and governments, to dependence on Him. He wants us to ‘fix our eyes upon Jesus’, the author and finisher of our faith. He wants to be ambassadors and light to a dark world. He wants us to be overcomers of this worlds system. He wants us to effectively war against the forces of darkness and the powers and principalities that are ruling governments today. He has given us the authority and the power to be victors, but it only comes through submission to His Word and by walking in the Spirit. And it comes by growing as the body of Christ having one goal and that is the Gospel of Jesus. Too many today are islands unto themselves, and this stunts our personal growth and our corporate growth as the body Christ. Jesus said that where two or more are gathered together in His Name, He is in our midst, teaching us all things, and giving us power ‘collectively’ over those that are against us.
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√ Unbelief is when God has spoken and you do nothing.
√ Presumption is when you act when God has not spoken.
√ Faith is when you act upon God’s instructions.
√ Truth Demands a response.
