Acceptable Faith
The Bible defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Simply stated this means that faith is the foundation of our hope and a conviction in our hearts of things we cannot see. In fact, the words “faith” and “belief” are from the same original root word in the Greek New Testament–pistis, a noun that has to do with being convinced of something.
Hebrews 11:6 teaches that it is impossible to please God without faith, of which there are two types recognized in Scripture: (1) there is intellectual faith (“the devils also believe and tremble,” James 2:19), and then (2) there is functional faith (“Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works,” James 2:18). In other words, acceptable faith is not simply one’s assent to revealed truth, but his absolute submission to the guidance and control of that truth, something that starts and ends with bringing “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (Second Corinthians 10:5).
An active (functional) faith attitude is that which generates unconditional obedience to the higher authority of the Godhead. Anything less puts one’s faith in the category described by James as “dead” (James 2:20). The believing devils spoken of by James did not have an obedient faith, rendering it unacceptable, and Jude 6 teaches that they, through their disobedience to God, “kept not [deserted] their first estate [proper dwelling place],” resulting in their placement “in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” James used those insubordinate devils as an example of what lies in store for those who have faith but have not added works (obedience) to their lives.
The concept of an obedient, working faith is soundly supported by Scripture. Paul began and ended the book of Romans with the idea of “the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5 & 16:26). The same apostle once spoke of the Thessalonians’ great “work of faith” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 and 2 Thessalonians 1:11).
Jesus Himself stated that belief (faith) itself is a work: “This is the work of God, that ye believe.” (John 6:29).”
The whole purpose of James chapter two is that “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17); “and by works was faith made perfect” (2:22); and “as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (2:26). Incidentally, all that is meant by “works” is obedience, so one can easily understand this principle by simply substituting the word “works” with the word “obedience.”
Hebrews chapter eleven, sometimes called God’s Hall of Faith, lists a number of individuals who perfected their faith through the works of obedience. Moved by conviction in their hearts, each and every one of them worked God’s will towards a faith that was validated by their efforts, leaving examples for God’s people of all time to follow.
Faith is absolutely necessary for our salvation, (Hebrews 11:6). But, it is a comprehensive term which includes many things. Belief is faith assenting; repentance is faith turning; Confession is faith speaking; baptism is faith submitting; the Christian life is faith rejoicing. Therefore faith is inextricably linked to obedience. One cannot have either belief or obedience alone and live a pleasing life before God. Acceptable Faith is the product of belief AND obedience.