FAITH
Each religion teaches that true faith is the practice of that religion’s traditions. Thus we find the term “faith tradition”, and we find that religions do not hesitate to identify themselves with their traditions. This practice immediately alerts us to a problem:
But,
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So we see clearly that faith and religion, and faith and tradition are incompatible terms. And we see that God’s concept of faith is something different from man’s concept. Even though religious people use the terms interchangeably, Faith and religion are not the same. Godly faith is a mystery, but there is nothing mysterious about religion.
STUDY TIP: See this link for understanding of mystery. See this link for more understanding of Christian faith and this link for understanding of the Jewish faith.
The simple answer to God’s idea of faith is this: Faith is expressed in the practice of listening to God’s spoken voice. With this understanding, the following can be said:
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The following scripture supports these conclusions:
Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
COMMENTARY: Understanding of this verse hinges on the understanding that christ, someone who is anointed by God to speak for God. It is important to recognize that this verse does not say faith comes by hearing the word of Jesus. To limit faith to Jesus’ words would limit God to one person to speak for him.
Obviously God spoke through many other true prophets — not just Jesus. In other words, hearing words spoken by any messiah (i.e. any true prophet) is the same as hearing God’s spoken voice.
It is also important to recognize that Jesus is an example of all New Covenant disciples. Thus he is a true prophet, angel, messiah, high priest, and warrior, and all his followers/disciples speak for God with the same power and authority that Jesus spoke. That means that all New Covenant disciples speak for God and that hearing their spoken words is the same as hearing God’s spoken voice. Thus it can be said that faith comes by hearing the words of all New Covenant disciples because they are anointed to speak for God.
Galatians 3:1-5 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain — if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
COMMENTARY: These verses contrast listening to false prophets who preach obedience to religious laws with faith that hopes/expects to hear God’s spoken voice.
The miracles mentioned in verse 5 are hearts that are changed by hearing God’s word.
What we learn from this is that faith is all about hearing God’s spoken word from God directly or from true prophets.
We also learn that faith does not come by works of the law. Works of the law are religious works. In other words, practicing religion does not produce faith. Practicing religion only produces more religion.
STUDY TIP: See Religion is not Faith for a detailed discussion of faith.