Faith Which Can Move Mountains

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Genuine faith has both an active and a passive quality to it, which can be seen in the lives of those who possess it. In the active sense, it is the physical expression of the loyalty we have to a person or the fidelity to an obligation or trust and the exercise of their duty relating to it. In the passive aspect, it is confidence which rests with certainty in the word or assurances of another. For believers, it is finding and having their all in Christ.
In studying the Bible, we are taught what genuine faith is in the examples given of those who committed their lives to God, trusting in His faithfulness and care toward them. It is found in those who stand in awe of Him, recognizing Him as the Creator and Sustainer of all things and the Judge of the whole universe. This is not to suggest the people involved were perfect and without any form of doubt, but that even in error or under trial, they looked to the Lord for deliverance through it all. These examples are in every book of the Bible, Old and New Testaments alike. Those declared as righteous all have the same thing in common: believing God’s Word and trusting solely in His grace towards them (Heb. 11:3-383Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:3‑38)). Simply put, faith is that which owns God as being true and faithful in His Word.
As Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Job, Moses, Rahab, David; as of the prophets; as of Peter, Thomas and Paul; as for us — the heart given to God in utter confidence in His faithfulness will be characterized by loving obedience to do His will (faithfully knowing that, even if we should fail from time to time, God is gracious and just, His correction true, and He is to be relied upon for all things and to set all things to the right, according to His own purpose — 2 Tim. 2:11-1311It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:11‑13)). Of course, faith’s fulfillment is in the Person and work of Christ.
The Product of Faith
While some may think of Hebrews 11:11Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) as the definition of faith, it is actually the product of what true faith is. The simple scriptural definition of faith, however, is found in John 3:3333He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. (John 3:33): “He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.” What is meant by “his seal,” in context, is what is known as a signet: It is the stamp of ownership impressed as a mark of the genuineness of the contents or of the privacy of access (as to its possession) on which it appears. It does not mean that the one believing endorses what is being stated as true, but rather ascribes that truth as coming only from God. He possesses it in place of his own.
God’s Testimony
To “receive” the Son’s testimony then is to believe on the Son by holding that all which God had foretold is fulfilled in Him (Matt. 5:1717Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (Matthew 5:17)). This is shown by the believer’s obedience to His Person and authority as both Savior and Lord. While this does include obedience to His commands, it is obedience produced and manifested by love in those who own that they are already accepted and complete in Him (Rom. 1:17; 3:21-2617For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)
21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:21‑26)). Some may say they believe that Christ is God’s Son, and even that He is the Messiah, but it is meaningless unless they receive Him as such and submit themselves to Him in the fullness of His Person and authority as well (see also Matt. 7:13-2713Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:13‑27)). This is the obedience and submission which only the possession of God as being true creates.
In the Old Testament, receiving God’s testimony meant not only to “call upon” the name of Jehovah, but those who called themselves “by the name of Jehovah” (Gen. 4:2626And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord. (Genesis 4:26) JND footnote). Abraham was an example of its meaning in practice: He took God at His word and acted as its being an accomplished fact in his life. He was not only considered righteous because of such, but he was called “the friend of God.” He was a man of Jehovah, “adopted” as such by Jehovah Himself, and known by his contemporaries as belonging to Him — a follower of God.
To “Call Upon” the Lord
To continue back into the New Testament, then, it is not as the seven sons of Sceva sought to do (Acts 19:13-1613Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. (Acts 19:13‑16)) — to “call over” the name of the Lord, but it is to have the ownership of being called by His name as well. It is of a personal love relationship to Him. What is meant to “call upon” the name of the Lord is ownership of all Christ is, and, in turn, our being owned of Him in such a confession being true. A love relationship must exist in both, owning Him in all that He is and being owned of Him as His own. The comparison in Scripture between the “signet” itself and the use of it in its application is a blessing to enjoy. This is the “signet” we receive as being owned by Him, in being sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of our full redemption (Rom. 8:14-2314For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:14‑23); Eph. 1:5-14; 4:305Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:5‑14)
30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)).
While owning God’s seal is shown quite beautifully throughout the Bible, it is of particular comfort in the examples of those not quite walking as they were fully meant to. It is in times when the person’s act of disobedience and sin led to the Lord’s correction of them, and they turned to Him in faith, that He would pardon and forgive.
David’s Life Example
David’s life is a perfect example of this. He was chosen of God, declared a person after God’s own heart, yet had committed sin under the law truly worthy of immediate death in the acts of adultery and murder (2 Sam. 11). In faith, and not just in this incident, he turned to God for pardon and deliverance (2 Sam. 12; Psa. 51). This was his repeated testimony of reliance on God.
However much a person of the world may look to find fault in David, seeing nothing by example except his sin, those of faith hear God’s own testimony of him. God Himself declared David as righteous, a man after His own heart. It is not David’s sin for which he is remembered, but for his faith, and of whom the promised Redeemer should come (Matt. 12:18-23; 22:41-4518Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles. 19He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 21And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. 22Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? (Matthew 12:18‑23)
41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? (Matthew 22:41‑45); Acts 2:25-3625For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:25‑36)).
A. Yerkey (adapted)