Faith is the fundamental theme of the proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven, it was the central theme of the doctrine presented by Jesus in all His teachings; however, in spite of this, it is the theme about which less is taught today, and this is due in good measure because the contemporary Gospel has been based on philosophical and religious formulations, rather than on the proclamation of the preaching of the cross.
Faith is not only believing, faith consists in living the life of the Kingdom of God according to the provisions of the teachings of Jesus, and according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit; faith leads us to understand the Revelation of God, so that we are enabled to complete proclamatory operations in preparation for the return of Jesus to earth.
All the biblical writers speak of faith, for Salvation, Redemption, Justification and Sanctification, themes of the Gospel, can only be accessed by it; as we study each book and epistle written by all the biblical writers we will discover the knowledge of faith that they attained by the Revelation of the Gospel; However, this emphasis is most notable in Paul’s epistles to Timothy, in principle, because Paul saw in Timothy a young man who could become a great preacher of the Gospel to the Gentiles for that whole region of Asia Minor, and he took him under his ministerial care to instruct him in the way of the preaching of the Cross.
Timothy is special for Paul, there are many references that confirm it; in the book of Acts of the Apostles we read about the good testimony that the inhabitants of Lystra and Iconium gave of Timothy: which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium (16:2). In the first epistle, Paul commends him to ‘fight the good fight of faith‘ (6:12), which by the parity of the expression with the way Paul defines his own ministry in the second epistle: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (4:7), it is noted with it that Paul considered Timothy as the heir of his ministry, almost in the same way as Elijah invested Elisha. Paul took special ministerial care of Timothy; in the second epistle, Paul exhorts Timothy to keep alive the call to the Gospel: Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands (1:6), and already at the end of the same epistle, when Paul warns of the end of his days, we read of Paul’s charge to him to fulfill his ministry: But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry (4:5).
The epistles of the apostle Paul to Timothy are rich in Revelation about the knowledge about faith, both epistles pour in the writing a wide deployment of faith establishments that were part of the Revelation of God in Paul; Nevertheless, I have wanted to take only the first epistle, in principle, because there are several principles of faith that are unknown within the contemporary ecclesiastical ambience, some of them of difficult understanding, and I do not want that when we expose ourselves to them, the surprise of reading something new, scandalizes more than one and finds stumbling instead of edification.
The way I have chosen to present these establishments of faith, is to state in the first instance the establishment of faith that Paul proposes, and I have listed them not by importance, but according to the order in which they appear in the writing of the epistle; in the second instance and following the establishment of faith, I quote the text of the verse where such establishment of faith is found, highlighting in bold the part where the Revelation in Paul of the proposed establishment of faith is observed; in the third instance, we set forth the explanation about the statement of faith.
I do not intend to exhaust the subject, that is not the purpose; rather I intend to establish a teaching basis for further study on the subject in the future. I pray that the study of these establishments of faith will lead us to strive to walk in the Revelation of the mystery of faith.
The epistles of the apostle Paul to Timothy are rich in Revelation about the knowledge about faith, both epistles pour in the writing a wide deployment of faith establishments that were part of the Revelation of God in Paul;
Establishment number 1: Faith has the virtue of ‘procreating’ children according to the faith of the one who instructs: unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. (1:2)
We have in this principle a key to faith; although each one grows according to his own commitment with Jesus, it is not the same to grow in faith by himself, than to grow under the instruction of one who guides him in the teaching; this knowledge is based on the teaching of Jesus, the model of faith is proposed by the measure reached by the teacher who instructs:
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord…
Mathew 10:25
A clear example is seen in the case of Philip’s intervention with the Ethiopian eunuch who had gone up to Jerusalem to worship; at the end of the encounter, the eunuch’s growth in faith is much more remarkable than at the beginning of his encounter with Philip.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.… 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 8:30-39
Paul establishes with this establishment of faith that a man or woman of faith, teachers or not, can ‘procreate’ children in the faith to the extent that they devote time and attention to individually train and teach others to walk in faith. It all depends on the commitment made before God to do so.
Establishment number 2: The edification of God in the life of the believer depends on the faith that he/she has or is developing: neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (1:4)
The life of faith in Jesus is a spiritual edification that each one builds as his/her faith grows in the knowledge of Jesus, and of his/her submission to His Lordship. Repeatedly, the apostle Paul defines life in Christ Jesus as a ‘building’ that is under construction,
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
1st. Corinthians 3:9
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2nd. Corinthians 5:1
in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Ephesians 2:21
The ‘edification’ of life in Christ Jesus is built by faith in the name of Jesus, and grows as we assimilate the doctrine of His teachings,
but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Ephesians 4:15
Establishment number 3: God’s demands can only be understood through faith; the imposition of a commandment takes you away from faith: Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:(1:5)
Every commandment of God to man has been given for the purpose of man and woman attaining the wisdom to see faith in the instruction. The commandment according to faith is an instruction of action, faith is attained when the person detaches himself from the imposition of the Law and sees in the ordinance a counsel of God to live in perfection; Paul explains this principle in his epistle to the Romans,
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone;
Romans 9:31-32
If someone does not understand God’s demands, or questions them, it is because he/she does not walk in the faith of Jesus….
Establishment number 4: Grace is vivified by faith, no one can understand the Grace and love of God if he/she does not have faith: And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (1:14)
Grace means that I did nothing to deserve God’s forgiveness; it means that I am not worthy, and that I never will be, yet even though I am still unworthy, You still love me. Believing in Jesus does not make me worthy, it simply opens the door for me to live by faith, and receive by faith the Grace of God. To be Justified by Grace does not mean to be made worthy of it, Justification means the exaltation on earth of the love of God, for it is the love of God, and not our works, that has freed us from sin and death, and has given us a new life according to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:24
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 11:6
Grace is vivified by faith, it is the faith of the believer who keeps it in force, hence the importance of living by faith.
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Romans 4:16
by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Galatians 2:21
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Galatians 5:4
Establishment number 5: Faith can be lost if it is not kept active: holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: (1:19)
That faith can be lost is not a new theme, Jesus established it in one of his teachings,
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke 18:8
If faith is lost, Grace is invalidated; Grace is an undeserved and free gift of God, but it is only valid as long as faith remains active; Grace is vivified by faith, hence the need to keep faith alive and grow in it.
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:17
till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Ephesians 4:13
Establishment number 6: Recognizing and submitting to lines of authority is vital to remaining and growing in faith: Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (2:15)
The reason why Paul conditions the salvation of the married woman to the permanence in the faith of the children, is because the woman in the Hebrew context is the one in charge of the education of the children, and also in charge of the administration of the home,
10 Who can find a virtuous woman?
Proverbs 31:10-28
for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax,
and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships;
she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night,
and giveth meat to her household,
and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength,
and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
If the children do not remain in what they were taught, it is because the teaching was weak, and this falls under the responsibility of the woman,
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
If the children remain in the faith it is because the mother has instructed them correctly, and has delivered her children from death. This is the ministry in faith of the woman as mother and wife. A good example of this principle is found in the words of the apostle to Timothy in his second epistle:
when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
2nd. Timothy 1:5
Additionally, the apostle Paul’s reference also encompasses the relationship in marriage of the woman to the man; Paul does not intend to emphasize cultural submission, he intends to establish and emphasize the value of recognizing lines of authority, in this particular case Paul emphasizes the line of authority that God established in the Garden of Eden,
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Genesis 3:16
Subjection and respect for the lines of authority is vital to remain and grow in the faith, this is the teaching that the woman transmits to her children,
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Matthew 8:8-10
Those who cross lines of authority do not grow in faith; faith is based on the recognition of lines of authority, regardless of whether they are just or unjust,
He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Luke 11:23
4And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? 5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
(Exodus 22:28) Acts 23:4-5
And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.
1 Samuel 24:6
Establishment number 7: Faith requires a clear conscience in order to operate: holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. (3:9)
Although faith is the result of ‘believing’ the Word of God and walking by it, faith can be hindered, one of the ways to hinder faith is because of a defiled conscience.
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
1st. Corinthians 8:7
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
2nd. Corinthians 1:12
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Titus 1:15
conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?
1st. Corinthians 10:29
Establishment number 8: Faith is determinant to exercise an approved ministry before God; if there is no faith, there is no ministry: For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (3:13)
The proclamation of the Gospel is not based on scholarship, nor on homiletic skills; the Gospel is and consists in the proclamation of God’s wisdom expressed in terms of God’s love to reconcile man and deliver him from death,
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1st. Corinthians 1:17
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God… 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1st. Corinthians 2:1-4
but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1st. Corinthians 1:27
The ministry of a New Covenant consists in the proclamation of the Word of the cross, and according to the establishment of the apostle Paul, the ministry is established by faith, it is the only way to establish it since it is about highlighting the Grace of God through Jesus Christ in His atonement on the cross. The ministry of each one depends on the level of faith that each one has reached.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1st. Corinthians 1:18
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16
Establishment number 9: Apostasy is an attack against the faith: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (4:1)
Although apostasy is usually defined as the introduction of unbiblical teaching presented as if it were biblical doctrine, in his epistle to Timothy Paul integrates a more advanced definition, and establishes in it that apostasy does not necessarily consist of heretical doctrine; Paul establishes that apostasy consists of an attack on the faith of the believer, the purpose is to force the believer to think differently from the Scriptures and the Gospel; apostasy does not necessarily mean that the person abandons Christianity, nor renounces his belief with respect to Jesus, apostasy has to do with the way of understanding the doctrine of the Gospel even though the person continues to belong to the congregation of faith.
We all know that faith is based on ‘believing’ in the Gospel;[1] if the believer has ‘another’ way of thinking, that is, a way different from what was established in the original proclamation of the word of the cross, however small it may be, his way of thinking changes the basis of faith; by changing the basis of faith, faith ceases to be the support of Grace and becomes inactive,[2] and the believer’s thinking becomes apostasy.
Thus, apostasy is an attack on faith, this is the establishment of faith that the apostle discovers to Timothy so that he knows how to correct those who oppose;[3] this establishment is described at the beginning of the epistle, Paul reminds him of the reason for leaving him in Ephesus: I write to you in the same way as when I asked you to stay in Ephesus, to go on to Macedonia, so that you would be in charge of instructing some who do not teach differently from the Gospel. (1:3, free translation). In other epistles this same definition is also observed, for example, in the epistle to the Philippians Paul presents it as the urgency to keep the same understanding, it is the way the apostle denounces the introduction of apostasy within the community; Paul begins with the warning that all should ‘understanding’ the same: fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (2:2); Later, in the same epistle, he re-emphasizes the value in the Gospel of understanding in the same way: Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (3:15); In the conclusion of the epistle, Paul directly exhorts Euodias and Syntychê, and exhorts them to have the same understanding of the rest of the community: I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. (4:2).
We see then that for the apostle faith has a very important value, it must be cared for and maintained (1:19), if it is not properly cared for, faith will be attacked and could be lost.
Establishment number 10: In order that faith may grow in others it is necessary not to withhold exhortation according to the Words of Truth: If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. (4:6)
Reproof is a form of deliverance, whoever does not reprove to correct those who incur in sinning prevents them from their deliverance; the apostle exhorts Timothy to make use of reproof so that believers may be clean in their faith and not fall into stagnation.
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
1st. Timothy 5:20
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Titus 1:13
Establishment number 11: Faith models behavior in others: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (4:12)
That a man or woman of faith can establish modeling of faith in others is nothing new, the subject was part of the apostolic teachings of the Gospel, and was proclaimed as such to both Jews and Gentiles.
Faith modeling does not mean and should not be understood as ‘witnessing’, since faith modeling is part of the doctrinal training and teaching within the church, witnessing is directed to unbelievers.
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1st. Corinthians 11:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Ephesians 5:1
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Philippians 3:17
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
1st. Thessalonians 1:6
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
1st. Thessalonians 2:14
that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:12
and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
Romans 4:12
I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
2nd. Corinthians 12:18
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1st. Peter 2:21
Establishment number 12: Faith is founded on Justice; faith without justice is a faith of title only: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (5:8)
This is not a new establishment, it was precisely the statement established by God Himself after Abraham’s action of having believed the Word of God,
And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:6
According to this statement, faith does not consist only in believing but in establishing righteousness through acts; it is the way the Lord evaluates faith,
So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
Genesis 30:33
The prophet Habakkuk presented it in his writing as the foundation of the life that pleases the Lord,
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4
Hence the apostle Paul prefers to speak of ‘the righteousness of faith’, and not only of faith, to explain that faith is judged by acts of righteousness and not only by the beliefs that a person may have,
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Romans 4:11
For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Galatians 5:5
and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Philippians 3:9
Therefore, when James writes that faith can die if it does not have works, he is basically referring to the works of righteousness that each person undertakes to validate his faith in Jesus,
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.… 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?… 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:17-26
Establishment number 13: Faith as a work of righteousness begins with the marriage relationship: having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. (5:12)
Paul speaks of the ‘first faith’, and by it he refers to the act of ‘faithfulness’ that both man and woman profess to keep for each other when they are joined in marriage, in the book of Proverbs the value of the woman of his youth is emphasized in the man,
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Proverbs 5:18
It is not the first time that Paul emphasizes the value of marriage and fidelity between spouses; in the book of Hebrews he highlights the merit of fidelity as part of the life of faith,
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Hebrews 13:4
To have cast off the first faith means that the person has not shown by her actions respect for the memory of her husband, which is considered an act of unrighteousness and, therefore, an act that violates fidelity.
Establishment number 14: Faith does not allow competing for fame or riches, whoever is inclined to them is moving away from faith: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (6:10)
One of the ways Satan uses to draw men and women out of the faith of the holy calling is fame and the love of making a lot of money, we see this in one of the temptations Satan threw at Jesus.
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Matthew 4:8-9
The apostle Peter defines this inclination as the ‘way of Balaam’.
which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2nd. Peter 2:15
Jude also writes about it, and again highlights the error of Balaam and compares it with the way of Cain, and with the rebellion of Korah,
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Jude 11
Establishment number 15: Faith is the purpose of life: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (6:11)
According to this establishment we should all aspire to faith, not as to attain benefits by it, but to establish by it the purpose of life in Christ Jesus; Eternal Life depends on learning to live by faith,
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Romans 6:22
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1st. Timothy 6:12
and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
Romans 4:12
Establishment number 16: Faith is strengthened through spiritual warfare: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (6:12)
Faith is spiritual warfare, because as the apostle Paul rightly stated, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the lords of the world, against the rulers of this darkness, against spiritual wickedness in the air; but it is a war that is exercised from the resistance to everything that pretends to direct men and women to walk in opposition to the teachings of Jesus. This spiritual warfare consists in taking away from Satan all ‘legal rights’ that allow him to operate in the same environment of faith; it is of no use a theology that teaches the believer to ‘rebuke’ the devil if it does not first instruct him on how to cancel the actions that give Satan ‘rights’ to operate in his environment.
Faith is born of the restored character according to the image and likeness of Jesus Christ; the legal right that Satan uses to continue operating in the midst of faith is the same ambiguity of mind that still persists in the heart of the believer. Apostasy is precisely a double doctrinal stance; in Jesus’ words, apostasy is the tares sown in a wheat field.
In this exhortation, the apostle is defining spiritual warfare as the conscious ‘striving’ to do according to God’s Will. Fight’ means ‘strive’ to establish the Will of God. The expression used by the apostle reflects an ‘agonizing’ effort, that is, an effort carried to the last consequences. The good fight of faith, then, means the fortitude born in the knowledge of God’s call that imposes itself on all spiritual resistance that tries to stop the work of faith. Faith is activated when man and woman enter into spiritual warfare.
Establishment number 17: A believer may have lost faith and continue to believe in God without having been warned: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. (6:21)
As it has been presented in previous paragraphs, faith does not depend exclusively on ‘believing’, although in the life of faith everything has begun as an act of ‘believing’ in God’s provision, in order to grow and persevere in faith, it is necessary that the believer learns to do acts of righteousness in correlation with the execution of God’s plans.
Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.
Zephaniah 2:3
Thus, if a believer does not perform acts of righteousness, his faith may die, and he may not realize it; therefore, this establishment of faith is extremely important because it warns us about the danger that every man and woman of faith runs, of ‘going astray’ from the faith without realizing it.
because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Romans 1:21
Not everyone 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.
Matthew 7:21
Well, we have concluded. The reader will see that the riches of Revelation that the apostle Paul had in regard to faith were exceedingly abundant. Paul’s faith was the result of having recognized Jesus as Lord and Christ, and of having labored for Him in the proclamation of the Word of the cross.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Authorized King James Version, 1909 (AKJV).
Pastor Pedro Montoya
[1] Mark 1:15: and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
[2] Galatians 5:4: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
[3] 2 Timothy 2:25: in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
Treasure in Earthen Vessels 