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Jesus Christ’s definition of faith
vs. Paul’s definition of faith by Joe P, Contributor
John 14:12 shows Jesus Christ's definition of faith which requires works and how the false apostle Paul's concept of faith completely contradicts Jesus Christ's definition of faith.
John 14:12 - "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
As you know, what Jesus Christ said fits perfectly well with what is taught in Matthew 7 verses 21 to 27 and Luke 6 verses 46 to 49.
Paul’s concept of faith is quite the opposite. Paul’s concept of faith is faith without works.
Romans 4 verse 1 to 5 – “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.”
Paul disregards the fact that Abraham’s righteousness also came as a result of his works and not just by his faith.
Genesis 26 verses 4 to 5 – “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.”
This blessing came to Isaac and his descendants because Abraham obeyed God and did everything God required of him, "keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions."
God rewards a man according to his works and not just by faith (Job 34:11, Matthew 16 verse 27, Revelation 22 verse 12).
Let’s look at what Paul says.
Romans 3 verse 27 – “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith.”
Faith in God doesn’t mean that a person will keep the commandments in Law of Moses. This can be seen in the life of King David. King David had faith in God. But he didn’t apply his faith in his works when he committed adultery with Uriah’s wife; when he deceived and murdered Uriah, and then stole Uriah’s wife (2 Samuel 11 to 12). So the Law requires both faith and works. Not just faith.
That is why we read James 2 verse 26.
James 2 verse 26 – “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
By Contributor Joe P. (7/24/2020)
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