The Anatomy of Biblical Faith - Part 2 - CrossCulture Inductive Bible Study Series

Please refer to Part 1 for a background and context of this discussion...

Definition of FAITH

Hebrews 11:1-3

"God SAID it, I BELIEVE it, that SETTLES it!"
  I can SEE it and it is SET on STONE.
The evidence does not have to be VISIBLE. I just KNOW it.

Necessity of FAITH

Hebrews 11:6

Without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to PLEASE God! That is a strong statement.

To draw near or approach God, there are two pre-requisites:

1. We must believe He is as REAL as can be.
2. We MUST believe that He REALLY responds!

Looking at the overall context of Scripture, now it makes sense:

1. Only a MINORITY will enter the Kingdom of God because only a MINORITY will have REAL faith. The Old Testament warns that only a REMNANT will be saved (repeated by Paul in Romans 11). Jesus Christ Himself declared that only a FEW will FIND the NARROW ROAD to eternal life (Matthew 7:13, 14))
2. Now we see why Paul warns in Philippians 2:13 for us to "work out your salvation with FEAR and TREMBLING". We cannot take salvation for granted and assume we are saved without the proof of transformation and sanctification.
3. Now we see the warnings of Hebrews 6:1-8 and Hebrews 10:26-31 make total sense and cannot be taken for granted
4. Now we see why God Himself warns that even if our names are written in the Book of Life, He can still BLOT those names OUT (and that looks permanent too!). Revelations 3:5
5. Now we see why Christ may deny us before the Father (Matthew 10:33)
6. Now we see why not all who say Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom (Matthew 7:21-23)
7. Now we know that REAL faith requires REAL proof (Matthew 7:15-20)

Even if salvation is freely given by grace, we still become partakers of it through REAL faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)