The Faith “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3)
In Scripture, ‘faith’ is used to describe two different matters. There is that faith which is the result of the Spirit’s work in the heart, which is nothing less than believing God and trusting the LORD Jesus Christ as our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 1 Cor. 1:30. This is the result of the Sovereign Spirit revealing the LORD Jesus Christ in the heart of those elect sinners, given Him by God the Father from eternity. For them He sent His Son into the world to earn and establish their righteousness by His obedience unto death, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) Such FAITH is the revelation of Christ Jesus in the heart, revealed in the Gospel, concerning Him and His accomplished work as that sinner’s Redeemer and Justifier.
So, there is THE FAITH revealed in the heart, but also there is THE FAITH that is the content of that revelation revealed in the inspired Word of God. It is of this FAITH that the apostle Jude writes, describing it as unequivocally the same for all who believe. Any who deviate from THE FAITH (the Gospel of Christ and His effectual work of righteousness as revealed in the Word) is a perversion of the Truth of God, Christ.
Some have faith in miracles, signs and wonders, John 2:23-25. Others have faith in their traditions, denominations, or ceremonies. Some put faith in their faith or look to an experience. It’s possible, even to trust in knowledge of certain ‘truths,’ or ‘doctrines’, and yet not be trusting Christ THE TRUTH. There are many who have an intellectual knowledge of the Doctrine of Christ yet have not the Christ of the Doctrine.
THE FAITH once delivered to the saints has three characteristics:
1.) It is founded upon the Scriptures and not the traditions or testimonies of men, Luke 16:31.
2.) It is the Gift of God, by the revelation of His Spirit, Eph. 1:17.
3.) It is the body of Truth revealed in THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST, 2 John 1:9. It is that Doctrine (teaching) that gives all the honor and glory to Jesus Christ ALONE in the salvation of sinners. All who walk in THE FAITH, are given a love for this Christ, His Word, His people, and His glory. They not only KNOW the Truth, but love HIM Who is TRUTH, 2 Thess. 2:12-13.
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