Two Are Better Than One

FAITH – PIStis, PEItho*, 244x (708), Strong’s # 4102

One. John 3:16 (16-21). FAITH: ACTIVE ASPECT. “For :God so loved the world, that he gave his :only begotten :Son, that whosoever believesunto him perish not, but have eternal life.” Faith is not a noun, and is not static; but is a verb and is active. It involves actions that correspond to faith.

Two. John 3:36 (31-36). FAITH: OBEDIENCE ASPECT. “Who believesunto the Son has eternal life; but who disobeys the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of :God abides on him.” Faith implies obedience, and full committal. It is far beyond mental assent, and involves the will.

Three. John 17:7-8 (6-19). FAITH: BRIDGE ASPECT. “Now they know that all thingswhatsoever you have given me are from you: 8because the words which you gave me I have given to them; and they received them, and truly knew that I came forth from you, and they believed that YOU did send me.” Faith is based on objective knowledge, the word of revelation. It become a bridge to experience. It produces experiential knowledge which is subjective.

Four. 2 Peter 1:5-7 (1-11). FAITH: FOUNDATION ASPECT. “Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your :faithsupply :virtue; and in :virtue :knowledge; and in :knowledge :self-control; 6and in self-control :patience; and in :patience :godliness; 7 and in :godliness brotherly :kindness; and in yourbrotherly :kindness :love.” Faith is the basis of all the graces of the Spirit (2 Peter 1:5); is one of the foundational truths (Heb. 6:1-2); is a gift of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:9); is most important in the Christian’s armor (Eph. 6:16); is a gift for salvation and a synonym for Christianity (Jude 3).

Five. Gal. 5:22 (16-24). FAITH: FAITHFULNESS ASPECT. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” Faith is part of the 9-fold fruit of the Spirit. It is a rare commodity (Prov. 20:6), and is expected by Jesus in His servants (1 Cor. 4:2).

Six. Heb. 6:1 (5:11-6:8). FAITH: NEGATIVE ASPECT. “Wherefore leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us be borne unto the perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faithtoward God.” Faith can’t operate without repentance (Heb. 6:1); without love (Gal. 5:6). It can’t precede repentance (Acts 20:21), and operates on grace, not works (Eph. 2:8-9)

Seven. Heb. 11:6 (3-12). FAITH: SUBJECT ASPECT. “And without faithit is impossible to be well-pleasing; for who comes to :God must believe that he is, and is rewarder of them that seek after him.” Faith is unto God (Heb. 6:1); is unto Christ (John 14:1); is through the Bible (Rom. 10:17, and through the Holy Spirit (Jude 20).