Living Faith:
A Study, by Yac'ob
What is "living faith" ? ( All scripture from NIV unless otherwise stated.)
James 2:17 "So also faith; if it does not have works, is in itself dead." Here James tells us that "faith by itself... is dead". This indicates that faith is a living thing. This becomes even more apparent when we realize that faith grows.
II Corinthians 10:15(b) "...our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow,..." Ephesians 4:13 "Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of Elohim and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of (Messiah)." Philippians 1:25(b) ".and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith." II Thessalonians 1:3(b) "...because your faith is growing more and more,..." These scriptures portray faith as an animate, living; object, not an inanimate or dead object. But as James states in James 2:26 "... faith without deeds is dead."
Many people have fallen into a misconception, (sometimes taught by those who claim to be ministers of Yahushua); that all you have to do to be saved, is to believe in "Jesus", and have faith that he is the Messiah. James addresses this issue in: 2:19 "You believe that there is one God (Elohim). Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." If all you had to do to inherit eternal life in the Kingdom of YHWH was to believe, then even the demons would have the ability to be in YHWH's Kingdom. James 2:24+26 " You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone." "As the body without the Spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
In John 3:15-16 we find Yahushua mentions that;...everyone who believes in the Messiah has eternal life. Lets look closely at that word believes. The word translated 'believe' here comes from the Greek word "pisteuo" which literally means; 'to adhere to'. In other words, to gain eternal life, we must "adhere to" the teachings of Yahushua Mashiach. So just what did Yahushua teach concerning gaining eternal life? Luke 18:18-22 When approached by the rich young ruler; asking the way to inherit eternal life; What was Yahushua's reply? (First) Keep the Commandments! (Second) Sell possessions and give to the poor. (Third) Then !! Follow Yahushua, who set us an example.
John 14:15+21 "If you love ME, you will obey what I Command." "Whoever has MY Commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves ME !" Are we indeed obedient to Yahushua, or are we obedient to the commands of men based on misinterpretations of scriptures and outright lies? The Apostle Paul has long been the most misrepresented and wrongly interpreted of all the writers of the "New" Covenant. Many claim that his writings are hard to understand, but this is only so if we try to read more into his writings then he is actually saying. We must remember the teachings of Yahushua Himself in John 14:23 "If anyone loves ME, he will obey MY teachings." Not the teachings of others (if they are contrary to Yahushua's teachings).
These last 3 scriptures were written by the Apostle John; whom scriptures tell
us, was beloved by Yahushua. This is the same John to whom the
"Revelations" was revealed. The last living of the original 12
Apostles. There are many who claim that we no longer have to keep the
Commandments because they were "nailed to the cross". Yet; if this
were so, why did Yahushua make it a point to reiterate the Commandments as a prerequisite
for being in the Kingdom of YHWH? This approx. 50-60 years after HIS
resurrection?
Revelations 12:17 The "woman" in this verse is the True Followers of Yahushua, and her "seed" are those who are returning to the True Following of Yahushua. Read very carefully the last sentence of this verse !!! Revelations 14:12 Again we notice that those who are called "saints" are those who are obedient to YHWH's Commandments, and remain faithful to Yahushua.
Revelations 22:14 (KJV) "Blessed are they that do HIS Commandments." Our faith is to be a living faith, proven through acts of obedience. Just as Abraham proved his faith in Elohim by being willing to sacrifice his one and only son; when Elohim commanded. Just as Noah proved his faith in Elohim by building the ark and preaching of the impending doom about to fall upon civilization. The list of examples go on. These men displayed a "living faith' through acts of obedience. We too are called to a "living faith", by our acts of obedience to the teachings of Yahushua. Our faith is to be a growing faith, continually producing fruit.
While nothing we can do can earn our way into The Kingdom. Our obedience is proof of our faith!