Faith
2 Peter 1:4-7
Becoming partakers of the divine nature is not the result of conversion. It
is the result of growing and maturing in our faith.
We are to be diligent to add these graces or characteristics to our lives, but
it starts with our faith.
Faith is the first step. Every Christian has faith.
Faith is the means by which we are to live our life (2 Cor. 5:7).
Thus, Faith is the foundation that we are to build upon.
Before we look at the graces, let us look at the foundation.
I. What Is Faith?
Hebrews 11:1 – gives us a good definition of faith.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen” (KJV).
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things
not seen” (NASB).
substance – HUPOSTASIS: “a setting or placing under, substructure,
foundation” (Thayer).
evidence – ELEGCHOS: “a proof, conviction” (Thayer).
Faith, in the context of our study (2 Peter 4-7), has to do with a
foundation.
When a man builds a house, he can have the lumber company deliver
everything that is needed to build that house (lumber, bricks, drywall, windows,
doors, shingles, tiles, etc.). But none of those things can be put in place until he
lays the foundation.
We want to become partakers of the divine nature, but can’t add these
graces to our life unless we have a solid foundation to build upon (Faith).
Thus, faith is the conviction of things that we have not seen, the
foundation of the things that we hope for.
The writer of Hebrews goes on to give us examples of how this definition
applies:
v. 3 – none of us saw the creation of the world. Faith is the conviction that God
spoke it into existence in six days.
v. 4 – Abel was moved by conviction that God existed and was worthy of the
sacrifice.
vs. 5-6 – Enoch gives an example of both elements of faith.
1. Conviction in things not seen – believed in God.
2. Confidence in things hoped for – that God is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him.
v. 7 – Noah was moved by a conviction in the reality of the coming flood.
vs. 8-10 – two examples of Abraham’s faith are given.
1. Conviction of an unknown and unseen country and hope of possessing it.
2. Living in tents. There were already cities in that land, and Abraham had
enough wealth to build permanent structures to live in, but lived in tents
while he waited for the city that the Lord would build.
God blessed these men because their lives pleased God. This was because
their faith provided a strong enough foundation to develop a deep and rich
relationship with God.
II. Where Does Faith Come From?
Some teach that saving faith comes through some miraculous means.
The Bible doesn’t teach that there are different kinds of faith, only
different degrees of faith. All faith is the same, and it comes from the same
place: the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
Go back to our examples of faith in Hebrews 11.
v. 3 – where does our faith in creation come from? God’s Word.
v. 7 – where did Noah’s faith concerning the flood come from? Being divinely
warned; God’s Word.
v. 8 – where did Abraham’s faith come from? Called by God’s word.
If we want our faith to be stronger, we will read and study God’s Word.
III. What Does Faith Produce?
1. Please God – Hebrews 11:6
2. Obedience – Hebrews 11:4, 7, 8-9
Faith is not the end. We are to diligently add things to our faith. Faith
must move forward in obedience.
3. Focus, Purpose To Our Life – 1 Peter 1:9
4. Salvation – Ephesians 2:8
IV. What Is the Object of Our Faith?
Jesus Christ must be the object of our faith.
Evidence of things not seen:
His virgin birth.
His divine teachings.
His claim to be the Messiah.
His miracles that confirmed His claims and teachings.
His death, burial, and resurrection.
Substance of things hoped for:
His return.
His judgment of the world in righteousness.
His deliverance of the kingdom unto the Father (1 Cor. 15:24).
Jesus is the proper object of our faith, our foundation (1 Cor. 3:11).
Conclusion:
We must be diligent to add these graces to our life, but we must have
something solid to add them to. Our faith is the foundation that we build our
spiritual life upon. Let us make sure it is strong.