And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Hebrews 11.32
Hebrews 11.32-39 sums up the chapter that has been dedicated to what many have labeled the ‘Hall of Faith’. The closing remarks recorded in everlasting history list individuals such as David, Samson and Samuel (among others) who through their faith conquered kingdoms, escaped the edge of the sword and increased valiantly in the battle for the people and promise of the Lord. Also, we find un-named souls that suffered for the name of God by way of mocking, scourging being destitute and afflicted yet never losing the focus which rested upon their faith.
In the past several issues we have heard of a Delivering Faith, Desperate Faith, Determining Faith, Defending Faith, Diligent Faith, Defeating Faith and others. These types of faith gave precedent of position and promotion to those which possessed such trust. It allowed them to live eternally within the pages of the perfectly preserved Scripture as examples for us that would follow. Yet with all the great feats they accomplished through their extraordinary faith in God, they earned a good report, but received not the promise (Hebrews 11.39). Such promise we have enjoyed through the death, burial and resurrection of our glorious Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. If these men and women can earn such accolades from the Lord, we that have read the completed perfected accounts can possess such faith as well as succeed in such endeavors.
One topic of faith that has yet to be discussed in our weekly issues, is not quite as positive in its details. It is known as a Dead Faith. James 2.14-20 outlines this anemic attribute of so many in life today. Often misunderstood and misconstrued, the teaching James offers is spectacular in it’s central theme of prevention rather than promotion. I have experienced many times that from some men one can learn what ‘not’ to do rather than what ‘to’ do. Such is the prophylactic depiction James offers a soul with dead faith. We understand that salvation is by grace plus NOTHING – If it is grace 99.9% and works .1%, such .1% will take a soul to hell. If one feels as if good works will save them, they will never have assurance of salvation. The best that will be produced is a ‘hope so’ and salvation my friend is never a hope so situation, it is a ‘know so’. It was the Apostle Paul that quoted Habakkuk in Romans 1:17 “…the just shall live by faith”.
Within the writings of James 2.14-20 we first must evaluate the apparent Contradiction in verse14. It would seem as if teaching of James and Paul would be at odds. In Romans 4:2,5-6 - Paul is preaching topically of Grace through Faith. In James 3:21,24 the thematic centrality focuses on a Justification by works. The reality becomes apparent of no real contradiction when correctly understood and rightly divided. Beloved, Paul is speaking of justification before God, whereas James is speaking of justification before man. You cannot see my faith, you cannot see my heart, but God can: “…for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7) One preacher said: “Paul covered the head of faith whereas James covered the tail of faith…” Paul’s faith was about the root, James preached of the fruit. Without the root, there is no fruit! Paul preached of the Provision of Faith, James the Product… Paul preached of the Inward faith, James the Outward… Paul preached of the Means of faith, James the Marks… In the 18th verse, James is preaching of a ‘show’ so faith and in verse 14, James is asking can that faith save a man? Man is saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone! It is followed by the marks of faith, such marks that are seen in the lives of these listed in the Hall of Faith, men and women that sacrificed their lives through faith in the promise, that we have received. These marks include Compassion as describe in verses 15-17. Real, living faith will produce compassion for others. How great is my faith if I tell a brother or a sister to ‘go and be filled’, yet offer no help?
Real, living faith possesses Communion (verses 18-19). Within real faith there resides a love for God, a love and longing to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. John said: We love him, because he first loved us. (I John 4:19). Have you ever loved someone so much that you just longed to be with them, every moment of the day? That is what true faith produces in the believer.
Real living faith provides a Conversion (verse 20). Real faith produces a changed life, outwardly. So many souls today come out of the midst of troubles claiming they ‘found Jesus’, as if He was ever lost! Dear friend, it was not Jesus that needed to be found, but us. When faith is involved, there is a conversion! Else it is not faith, no matter what you call it. Tolstoy said: “For thirty-five years of my life I was, in the proper acceptation of the world, a nihilist—not a revolutionary socialist, but a man who believed in nothing. “Five years ago my faith came to me. I believed in the doctrine of Jesus, and my whole life underwent a sudden transformation. . . . Life and death ceased to be evil; instead of despair I tasted joy and happiness that death could not take away.”
So yes, the faith that produces a changed, Converted life to Christ possessing Compassion and Communion with the Lord is a living, thriving faith. Anything else, is in fact a Dead Faith.
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
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