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Where Does The Faith that Justifies Originate?
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:â€(Rom 5:1)
I would like to consider with you the source or origin of the faith that justifies us before God. Our salvation as believers in Jesus Christ is by grace, few who would read this would deny this truth. Yet, as I have asked this question to many among the body of Christ there are two very different understandings of the source of the faith that saves:
1) Faith originates in unregenerate man's free and autonomous will, and independent of God’s conferment.
2) Faith originates in God's will and as an act of mercy conferred to those, he has chosen.
The following scriptures have shaped my understanding of the origin of saving faith.
(2Th 2:13) “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through (not because of) sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truthâ€
God is being thanked because He is the source and consequently responsible for both the sanctification and the belief. Spiritual sanctification and "belief of the truth" or faith, are evidences of election, not causes.
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?†And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.†He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?†Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.†And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. †(Matt 16:13-17)
Simon Peter believed (faith) that Jesus is “Christ, the Son of the living God†this is a revelation he received from the Father in heaven, it did not originate in his own wisdom or understanding.
(1Cor 1:18-29) "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence." Man in there natural state (i.e. fallen, unregenerate) cannot by his own natural wisdom of understanding believe. This is by God's design so that he might destroy these things. The preaching of the cross is foolishness to the natural man. As an act of mercy he chose to deliver many from this condition by calling them to new life in his Son by his Spirit.
“And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace." (Acts 18:27)
It is "through grace" because their ability to believe was received. If faith could originate autonomously from the mind or will of unregenerate men then it would not be "through grace" it would be through the wisdom or understanding of men. Men would not have to receive something that originated in them.
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been given unto him of my Father." As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.†(JN 6:63-66)
Does this passage teach that the Father only foreknew the presence or absence of faith in these men? Does the Father not also give the faith to believe. God in His omniscience knows all future thoughts and events (foreknowledge), but He is more than just aware of these, He is also the giver of faith. The testimony that God determines who can come is no less offensive to many today.
(Gal 5:22-23) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.â€
Faith is “of the Spirit†not a “of the fleshâ€.
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, That ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6:29)
The faith to believe is the result of God’s Spirit working in the understanding (revelation), and the desires or (will) of His children. "for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil 2:13)
(1Co 1:30-31) “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lordâ€
The power to be “in Christ Jesus†is “of himâ€, not of us, so that the “glory†would be “in the Lord†not ourselves.
(1Pet 1:18-21) "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him (Christ) do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."
The ability to “believe in God†is “by him†so that our faith and hope would be “in God†not ourselves.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that (faith) not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:8-9)
A believer’s faith is not of us in origin. Faith is a gift from God so that our boasting would be in God not ourselves.
(2Ti 1:9) “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,â€
A man can't earn or purchase this "holy calling" that "saved us". Faith is what he receives because he is called, not something that purchases this calling. This faith then justifies or "saves" us.
(Rom 8:30) "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
God is responsible for all these actions, (Rom 3:28) tells us that man is justified by faith. This verse here in the eighth chapter bears witness as to the source of that faith.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." (Heb 12:2)
Our Faith Conceived and Completed by God.
If faith originated in man, why would Paul thank God for something that did not come from him?
“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,â€
(Col 1:3-4)
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.â€(Rom 1:8)
“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.â€(Eph 1:15-16)
God is working in the lives of his children, conforming our will and behavior (Phil 2:13). He has not given men the freedom to do whatsoever they will. He exercises his authority to influence, correct or limit the will of his creation at his own discretion. This is an often unappreciated mercy, unless we understand that the natural man is dead in trespasses and sins, and lacks both the ability to understand and desire to seek after the true God (Rom 3:9-18, Eph 4:17-19). To possess a will that is autonomous of God’s authority and influence would be the ultimate curse.
Why does God give faith to believe to a remnant and not all?
Mercy and Grace by definition are not dispensed out of obligation. Man the creature does not have a right to mercy; we have a right to justice from our creator. All of us have sinned and justice alone would demand our eternal separation from a Holy Creator. (Rom 6:23) How can we point a finger at God and judge Him on this issue? With whom has he been unjust?
(Rom 9:10-16) “And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.â€
The elect of God are chosen not because they willed it, or ran in such a way as to earn it, but because they have received unfathomable grace and mercy. Election is a mercy, not a reward earned by human effort. Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah concerning this; (Rom 10:20) “But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after meâ€
(Tit 3:3-7) “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.â€
Notice that Gods’ mercy “saves usâ€, it does not manifest as an opportunity to be saved. His grace “justifies usâ€; it does not just make it possible for us to be justified.
In Conclusion,
The faith that saves is a gift from God given by grace. In the ultimate demonstration of His mercy God chose or elected a remnant of sinners to not reward according to their iniquities (Psa 103:10), even as He does so to all others (Rev 20:12- 15). He chose to give them something better than they deserve. He chose to restore them to Himself by giving them the faith, to believe and trust in the finished work of His Son Jesus for their salvation. We do not have to concern ourselves that this means someone who believes might not be elect, since the faith to believe the gospel is the EVIDENCE of election. So lets continue to preach the Gospel to all, with humility, giving all the blessing, honor, glory, and power for those who believe to Him who sits on the throne, and unto the Lamb.
"And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord:
and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed". (Acts 13:48)
Thank you Father for the Gift of Faith.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:â€(Rom 5:1)
I would like to consider with you the source or origin of the faith that justifies us before God. Our salvation as believers in Jesus Christ is by grace, few who would read this would deny this truth. Yet, as I have asked this question to many among the body of Christ there are two very different understandings of the source of the faith that saves:
1) Faith originates in unregenerate man's free and autonomous will, and independent of God’s conferment.
2) Faith originates in God's will and as an act of mercy conferred to those, he has chosen.
The following scriptures have shaped my understanding of the origin of saving faith.
(2Th 2:13) “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through (not because of) sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truthâ€
God is being thanked because He is the source and consequently responsible for both the sanctification and the belief. Spiritual sanctification and "belief of the truth" or faith, are evidences of election, not causes.
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?†And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.†He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?†Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.†And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. †(Matt 16:13-17)
Simon Peter believed (faith) that Jesus is “Christ, the Son of the living God†this is a revelation he received from the Father in heaven, it did not originate in his own wisdom or understanding.
(1Cor 1:18-29) "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence." Man in there natural state (i.e. fallen, unregenerate) cannot by his own natural wisdom of understanding believe. This is by God's design so that he might destroy these things. The preaching of the cross is foolishness to the natural man. As an act of mercy he chose to deliver many from this condition by calling them to new life in his Son by his Spirit.
“And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace." (Acts 18:27)
It is "through grace" because their ability to believe was received. If faith could originate autonomously from the mind or will of unregenerate men then it would not be "through grace" it would be through the wisdom or understanding of men. Men would not have to receive something that originated in them.
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been given unto him of my Father." As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.†(JN 6:63-66)
Does this passage teach that the Father only foreknew the presence or absence of faith in these men? Does the Father not also give the faith to believe. God in His omniscience knows all future thoughts and events (foreknowledge), but He is more than just aware of these, He is also the giver of faith. The testimony that God determines who can come is no less offensive to many today.
(Gal 5:22-23) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.â€
Faith is “of the Spirit†not a “of the fleshâ€.
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, That ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6:29)
The faith to believe is the result of God’s Spirit working in the understanding (revelation), and the desires or (will) of His children. "for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil 2:13)
(1Co 1:30-31) “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lordâ€
The power to be “in Christ Jesus†is “of himâ€, not of us, so that the “glory†would be “in the Lord†not ourselves.
(1Pet 1:18-21) "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him (Christ) do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."
The ability to “believe in God†is “by him†so that our faith and hope would be “in God†not ourselves.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that (faith) not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:8-9)
A believer’s faith is not of us in origin. Faith is a gift from God so that our boasting would be in God not ourselves.
(2Ti 1:9) “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,â€
A man can't earn or purchase this "holy calling" that "saved us". Faith is what he receives because he is called, not something that purchases this calling. This faith then justifies or "saves" us.
(Rom 8:30) "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
God is responsible for all these actions, (Rom 3:28) tells us that man is justified by faith. This verse here in the eighth chapter bears witness as to the source of that faith.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." (Heb 12:2)
Our Faith Conceived and Completed by God.
If faith originated in man, why would Paul thank God for something that did not come from him?
“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,â€
(Col 1:3-4)
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.â€(Rom 1:8)
“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.â€(Eph 1:15-16)
God is working in the lives of his children, conforming our will and behavior (Phil 2:13). He has not given men the freedom to do whatsoever they will. He exercises his authority to influence, correct or limit the will of his creation at his own discretion. This is an often unappreciated mercy, unless we understand that the natural man is dead in trespasses and sins, and lacks both the ability to understand and desire to seek after the true God (Rom 3:9-18, Eph 4:17-19). To possess a will that is autonomous of God’s authority and influence would be the ultimate curse.
Why does God give faith to believe to a remnant and not all?
Mercy and Grace by definition are not dispensed out of obligation. Man the creature does not have a right to mercy; we have a right to justice from our creator. All of us have sinned and justice alone would demand our eternal separation from a Holy Creator. (Rom 6:23) How can we point a finger at God and judge Him on this issue? With whom has he been unjust?
(Rom 9:10-16) “And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.â€
The elect of God are chosen not because they willed it, or ran in such a way as to earn it, but because they have received unfathomable grace and mercy. Election is a mercy, not a reward earned by human effort. Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah concerning this; (Rom 10:20) “But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after meâ€
(Tit 3:3-7) “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.â€
Notice that Gods’ mercy “saves usâ€, it does not manifest as an opportunity to be saved. His grace “justifies usâ€; it does not just make it possible for us to be justified.
In Conclusion,
The faith that saves is a gift from God given by grace. In the ultimate demonstration of His mercy God chose or elected a remnant of sinners to not reward according to their iniquities (Psa 103:10), even as He does so to all others (Rev 20:12- 15). He chose to give them something better than they deserve. He chose to restore them to Himself by giving them the faith, to believe and trust in the finished work of His Son Jesus for their salvation. We do not have to concern ourselves that this means someone who believes might not be elect, since the faith to believe the gospel is the EVIDENCE of election. So lets continue to preach the Gospel to all, with humility, giving all the blessing, honor, glory, and power for those who believe to Him who sits on the throne, and unto the Lamb.
"And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord:
and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed". (Acts 13:48)
Thank you Father for the Gift of Faith.
