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Faith Without Faithfulness is Dead
Do you want to be faithful like God? This is an important question. People have argued and argued over whether we are saved by faith alone or by a faith that works. So instead of framing the question with the same old words, I thought a different, yet very Biblical approach, might help.
In Greek, “faith” and “faithful” share the same root word, meaning they represent two sides of the same coin: internal and outward.
While the word “faith” is not used of God, often the word “faithful” or “faithfulness” is. Therefore, let’s ponder the question, can one be faithful, or full of faith, without faith? Doesn’t seem likely. Maybe we need to reconsider our understanding of faith.
• Faith is NOT, just mental knowledge. That doesn’t describe God’s faithfulness.
• Faith is NOT, just mental assent. That doesn’t describe God faithfulness.
• Faith is NOT, just mental. That doesn’t describe God faithfulness.
At times people have substituted other words for faith such as faith is TRUST. No doubt there is an element of that, but that does not seem to fit God’s faithfulness either. God is NOT showing that He trusts us when He is showing faithfulness to us. He is showing Himself to be trustworthy.
In passage after passage, worshipers have said concerning God’s faithfulness, that He SHOWED faithfulness (Gen.32:10; 1 Kings 3:6). How did God show his faithfulness? God was COMMITTED to the people and His covenant through ACTION.
Now notice:
• Jonathan asked David, “will you not show me the faithfulness of the LORD?” (1 Samuel 20:14). Jonathan was asking for a commitment from David.
• David said in a song to the LORD, “With the one who is faithful, you show yourself faithful” (2 Samuel 22:26). David was saying God is committed to those who commit to them.
Every time God is faithful, he is doing something that shows His commitment. So, if you think faith saves without obedience, then do you really think faith saves without commitment? If God shows his faithfulness by showing his commitment; can we be full of faith without being full of commitment?
Now let’s take this to where the disagreement usually goes – baptism:
• If faith is inward and faithfulness is outward.
• And if you believe that we are saved without baptism even though baptism is commanded many places.
• Then you believe we can be saved by faith without being faithful or committed!
Now this is what I believe:
• If faith is inward and faithfulness is outward.
• And if we are told to show our faith (James 2:18), then showing faith is faithful commitment in becoming saved and staying saved.
• Baptism is being faithful to God, and is when I show my commitment to God, He saves me because of my faith and His faithfulness.
Let’s ask one more time: Do you want to be faithful like God? THEN SHOW IT BY SHOWING COMMITMENT.
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