 Faith: Confidence or trust in a person or thing; belief that is not based on proof; belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings – Webster’s dictionary.
Faith is a beautiful thing. Even in the simple above definition from Webster’s it is an idea that we trust in something we cannot see. To have confidence in “somewhat” of the unknown. I use “somewhat” because while we can see with our eyes the beauty of creation as proof that a Creator exists, we certainly do not know everything. As humans we continue to learn as we experience life yet, unlike YHWH who is all-knowing (Psalm 139:4, 1 John 3:20) we need Faith in the One who knows everything and is everything. As years passed and life continued to play out, faith seemed to be just a segment of my life that sadly lacked depth and totality. It started to bother me that faith was simply a book on my shelf that was surrounded by many other topics of life. And when I needed it, I simply pulled it off the shelf and “believed”. Why was this bothering me? After 30+ years of being content with my beliefs, why did I feel there was more to know, more to understand and more to experience? I felt like I was missing something profound. I asked myself “Was I truly living out the fullness of my faith?” Incredibly, there are many others worldwide from all nations asking these same questions as their hearts yearn to know more and be more. People who are looking outside their inherited religion. Could it be that so many of us have the “faith” but have lacked the “fullness”? Miles apart While we have discussed the definition of faith according to Webster (and might I say most Christians would agree with Webster), how do the original Hebrew and Greek words define faith? Emun is the Hebrew word for faith and is defined as: trustworthiness, which is dependability, to be relied upon, constancy (unwavering, purpose, love loyalty). Pistis is the Greek for faith and means: conviction, belief - coming from the root: pitho meaning: to have confidence, obey, yield. Wow… those seem a bit deeper than just believing something exits. They seem to sound much more like a verb rather than a noun. I’m not sure how the meaning of faith morphed into such a basic rudimentary idea and when it became accepted as that. However, in the book of James it seems he was already dealing with this dilemma a handful of decades after Yahushua’s ascension. Notice how James continues to warn that faith is not simply believing, but that it is a verb. “My brothers, what use is it for anyone to say he has faith (pistis) but does not have works? This faith (pistis) is unable to save him… So, also faith, if it does not have works, is in itself dead. But some might say ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith (pistis) without your works, and I shall show you my faith by my works.” James 2:14 & 18 “You see, then that a man is declared right by works, and not by faith (pistis) alone… For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also the faith (pistis) is dead without the works (ergon).” James 2:24 & 26 It’s clear that he was pleading and warning the assembly to get back to the true meaning of faith. They were missing the fullness, and the fullness was works. He described faith as dead, non-existent and not having life – the heartbeat is gone without the works. Works in Greek is ergon meaning: an act; deed; doing So ergon (deed, doing) is a part of faith. According to James, faith is dead without it. Just as faith (pistis from the root pitho) is defined above in Greek: obey, yield. Here we are talking verbs again. Could we as believers be missing the fullness of what faith truly means? Have we been taught to shave off “fullness” and change how faith was originally defined into something so minimal? It’s easy to think that the idea of defining faith as simply an abstract thought would attract the masses. Maybe the goal was to gain more converts. Just believe, say a simple prayer and ask Him to come into your heart. Why do they not point people to the instructions on the works (ergon)? When we add Fullness to Faith – it takes on a whole new meaning and when we apply it, we take on a whole new life. Faithfulness: Lasting loyalty, the fact or quality of being true to one’s word or commitments, as to what one has pledged to, the fact or quality of being dedicated and steadfast in performing one’s duty. Faithfulness in Hebrew is Emunah just like Emun (faith) is carries the same meaning of firmness, security, trustworthiness. This goes from simply talk to an actual walk. Faithfulness is much more closely related to the true Hebrew and Greek definitions of faith. While the English words are similar in letters, they are miles apart in meaning. So, how do we add this fullness to our faith? Let’s dive into some examples in Scripture. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master put over his household, to give them food in season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, having come, shall find so doing.” Matthew 24:45,46 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful over a little, I shall put you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ “ Matthew 25:23 Interestingly, Yahushua connects the word faithful with servant in both these teachings documented in the Renewed Covenant writings which we know as the gospels. There seems to be a correlation or relationship with the two. Let’s read His instruction to the assembly in Smurna written in Revelation: “Be faithful (pistis) until death, and I shall give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10b Also notice that those with Messiah are described as faithful: “They shall fight with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Master of masters and Sovereign of sovereigns. And those with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14 Separation There are instances throughout His Word where those who have “faith” are separated from those who exude faithfulness. Here is one example… Matthew 7:21a “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter into the reign of the heavens…” Let’s break this down before finishing the verse. These are clearly people who believe and have faith as they refer to Him as “Lord.” These many clearly know who He is and they accept Him to be their “Lord.” So, naturally they would be considered believers. Matthew 7:21b “…but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens.” We see a clear separation from those who know (have faith) that He is “Lord” from those who are doing the desire of the Father. Matthew 7:22,23 “Many shall say to Me in that day ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name?’ “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness (anomia)!” Here Yahushua is going deeper into why these people who believe in Him are being rejected. He states that they were busy doing their own works, defining what they thought was a good thing when in reality, they were living outside of His instructions – the very works (ergon) that James was referring to that brings about faithfulness to Him. The instructions for living that make our faith complete, the Torah of freedom! “But he that looked into the perfect Torah, that of freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer that forgets, but a doer of work (ergon), this one shall be blessed in his doing.” James 1:25 Here are more verses on “doing”: “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who is coming to Me, and is hearing My Words and is doing them, I shall show you who he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock. And when a flood came, the stream burst against that house, but was unable to shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But the one hearing and not doing, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation against which the stream bust, and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-9 “My mother and My brothers are those who are hearing the Word of YHWH and doing it.” Luke 8:21 “Blessed is the servant whom his master shall find so doing when he comes.” Luke 12:43 While the foundation of Christianity waves the flag of John 3:16 convinced that “everyone who believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” they fail to continue to read. It’s like “microphone drop” - they got what they wanted to hear and just believing equals salvation, and that was exactly what I believed. However, when we read the entire chapter, we discover that belief is also obedience. Look how chapter 3 concludes… “He who believes in the Son possesses everlasting life, but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of Elohim remains on him.” John 3:36 This clearly agrees with the warning from Yahushua in Matthew 7 that we discussed previously. Of course, we must believe that Yahushua is the Son of Elohim however, He is NOT our “Lord” or rather our Master (Adonai) if we do not obey Him. Not obeying Him shows that we do NOT know Him. Thus, He will turn away those who are lawless (anomia) – who live without Torah. He couldn’t say it any clearer in the following verses… “If you love Me, you shall guard My Commands.” John 14:15 “He who possess My Commands and guards them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I shall love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21 “Blessed are those doing His Commands, so that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14 The Commandments of the Covenant have never changed. If His Commands were no longer applicable, why is Yahushua stating in Revelation that those doing His Commands will have entry into the city? These are the “doers” the “faithful” the bride who is presenting herself clothed in righteousness. This righteousness involves both believing in the remission of our past sins through the blood of our Messiah and then living according to that faith in Him – faithfulness! According to His Word, it cannot be one or the other, it must be both. “Here is the endurance of the set-apart ones, here are those guarding the Commands of YHWH and the belief (pistis) of Yahushua.” Revelation 14:12 Yes, while the Levitical Priesthood no longer exists thanks to Yahushua becoming the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, His sacrifice does not remove our life instructions (the original Covenant) – rather it allows us to return to the Covenant which Yahushua renewed with His blood (Hebrews 9:11-22), then becoming clean, undefiled and faithful brides. That is why the gospels and letters of the epistles are segmented in our bibles and titled “Brit Hadasha” in Hebrew which means Renewed Covenant not the mistranslated “New Testament". Nothing is new, the original is simply refreshed – renewed, thanks to Yahushua. When one makes that transition from faith to faithfulness, they will clearly see how they start to become “born again”. From the simplicity of the western mindset of faith to the fullness of faithfulness – we start to truly become His bride. “And I shall take you as a bride unto Me forever, and take you as a bride unto Me in righteousness, and in right-ruling, and kindness and compassion. And I shall take you as a bride unto Me in faithfulness (emunah), and you shall know YHWH.” Hosea 2:19,20 I’ve been asked many times what my faith is. Mostly from those who have seen the changes I’ve made spiritually. Some don’t ask and falsely assume I’ve become some “religious freak”. However, it is the complete opposite. I actually left religion 20 years ago and started my journey of adding fullness to my faith. I quickly discovered this entailed being a “doer” of His Word and to follow Him. From now on when people are curious and ask me what is my faith? I think I’ll respond with “I decided to add fullness to it”. That will be the start of our conversation… To all the faithful brides… continue to the end! Our redemption draws near! Come Yahushua, come! Resources to help add fullness to your faith: The Transitional Period Turn and Be Saved The Law and Grace by Todd D Bennett The Journey Back Blog ShemaYisreal.net If you miss my previous blog click here: Our Creators Love Language |