“6. Should We Have Faith or Faithfulness? Inspiration for this insight came from one of Kurt Johnson’s Greek Insights. The most controversial book in the New Testament was the book of James. Why? Some perceived a conflict between faith and works for salvation. Is the controversy more over the difference between faith and faithfulness? Let’s look at the underlying Greek: • Matthew 24:45: (referring to a wise servant) “faithful” pistos (pis-tos’); trustworthy or trustful. • Matthew 17:20: (chastising disciples for lack of faith) “faith” pistis (pis’-tis); persuasion, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation. Note that a faithful servant earned the title by a history of trustworthiness proven by actions, works, and performance. Faith of the disciples in chapter 17 refers to a mere mental assent to a belief. While the words “faith” and “faithful” appear to be related, faith is that which a person believes. But the appropriate definition of the word “faithful” includes the concept of allegiance or loyalty demonstrated by actions or works rather than simply faith or belief. Here is a way to understand the difference between the use“of two words as applied in the Renewed Covenant: • John the Baptist preached repentance for sins and faith in the One who was to come after him. * Jesus preached forgiveness of sins and faithfulness (or obedience) to the covenant. In other words, John preached faith or belief and Jesus preached faithfulness or fidelity. Jesus calls for us to go beyond John’s message by including not only faith but also faithfulness, fidelity, obedience, loyalty, righteous behavior, and so forth. Jesus knew it wasn’t easy for people to turn away from their old ways overnight. He knew it is not logical or feasible to expect an instantaneous switch from a sinful lifestyle to righteous living in a world filled with temptation. He ‘walked in our moccasins’ for thirty-three years. Jesus knew that faithfulness would be a struggle and that lasting conversion would be a gradual, daily choice. In other words, he knew that people who strive to be faithful can also be in need of forgiveness. Even the most faith-filled people can be lured by enticement, fall back into sin, and need absolution. This reminds me of a business and life principle I learned early in life: Try not to judge a person on the first meeting or observation. Take snapshot observations over time to judge the rate of change, if any. “Todah Rabbah Yeshua Ha Mashiach Thank you, Jesus the Messiah . . . for showing us how to live in the here and now. Yosef Points to Ponder Do we need to further disciple those who claim to believe in, have faith in, Jesus Christ but are not striving to live righteous lives? Question—Are they saved? Is faithfulness a completed state that we can expect to someday achieve? Or are we on a quest striving to achieve it?” Excerpt From: Joe Brusherd, a.k.a. Yosef. “Hebraic Insights.” iUniverse, 2011-08-23. iBooks. This material may be protected by copyright. Check out this book on the iBookstore: https://itunes.apple/us/book/hebraic-insights/id486088529?mt=11
Posted on: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:11:17 +0000
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