They asked Jesus in John 6:28, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” He answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” You have permission to publish this article.
Faith is a work of God because we can do nothing for him without it. Without faith it is impossible to please God (HEB 11:6). Jesus said, “apart from me, you can do nothing” (JN 15:5). Accomplishing what he wants done does not come directly from the work we do, but it is God who does it through us.
As the growth of the church comes from God (1CO 3:6), the Spirit convicts sinners and the Lord accomplishes his purpose through the efforts of believers. We go through the motions and he makes progress possible. Paul indicated that he, and the other apostles were merely servants planting the seeds so that God could bring results.
We are not alone in our faith. God is actively involved with us. Jude 1:24 states that he is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without a fault and with great joy. Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (HEB 12:2). He knows and understands our situation and intercedes on our behalf. The Spirit of God and Christ are living in us (RO 8:9). The Spirit guides us into all truth (JN 16:13).
Whenever we are tempted, our knowledge of his word reminds us the way we should go. The Spirit guides us to the correct decision. We must always be aware of his presence and that he is nudging us in the right direction.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For whom among men knows the thoughts of a man accept the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God accept the Spirit of God (1C0 2:10-11).
We learn from this that somehow his spirit communicates with our spirit. He obviously does not speak directly to our conscious mind. He works through our knowledge of his word, reminding us of the passages that are appropriate for our immediate situations. We must refresh our knowledge of his word through regular Bible study, so that we can understand what he is telling us.
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God that we may understand what God has freely given us (1CO 2:12).
Since the angels of heaven rejoice when one sinner repents (LK 15:10), all divinity must be greatly concerned when our faith grows weak and all power available used to strengthen it. It is to our advantage to cooperate with heaven’s efforts.
Our righteousness is as filthy rags (ISA 64:6). It cannot save us. We must depend on the righteousness of Christ. Speaking of justification and righteousness, the King James’ version uses the words “faith of Christ” in Romans 3:22, Galatians 2:16 and Philippians 3:9. The NIV and most modern versions changed that to “faith in Christ,” putting the responsibility on the quality of our faith for justification. Even the American Standard, considered the most accurate by many scholars uses “faith in Christ.” Bible Org’s translation of their Net Bible uses “faith of Christ.”
The King. James uses both “in Christ “and “Of Christ.” We have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ (GAL 2:16). The scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe (GAL 3:22).
This seems to indicate that our faith comes from his faith.
His faith in his Father to bring him back to life after crucifixion made it possible for him to justify us completely. Our faith makes it possible to believe we will be raised from the dead just as he was.
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