I heard some pastors say they don’t follow Jesus by faith but by knowledge. They said the apostles never had faith, but they had knowledge that Jesus Christ is alive. Is that true?
The Apostles certainly had knowledge that the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead, but let’s consider the words of the Lord to Thomas in John 20:26-29, “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and BE NOT FAITHLESS, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HAVE NOT SEEN, AND YET HAVE BELIEVED.” Thomas believed the Lord was raised from the dead because he saw Him, yet the Lord pronounces a great blessing on those who believe on the Lord without having seen Him. That is the very basis of faith…simply taking God at His word.
FAITH is key to life eternal. Without faith, no one can be saved.
- Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without FAITH it is impossible to please him…”
- Romans 10:17 says, “So then FAITH cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
- Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”While the Lord Jesus was on the earth, faith was still required…faith in what He said, faith that He was who He said He was.
A few examples of that are:
- John 11:25-26, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and BELIEVETH IN ME shall never die. Believest thou this?”
- John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
- Luke 7:48-50, “And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, THY FAITH HATH SAVED THEE; go in peace.”
I find it incredible to think that a spiritual leader would say that he doesn’t follow the Lord by faith. The scriptures are clear.
- Romans 5:1, “Therefore being JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Watch ye, STAND FAST IN THE FAITH, quit you like men, be strong.”
What about knowledge? Is that important?
- 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give THE LIGHT OF THE KNOWLEDGE of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
- Ephesians 3:4, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand MY KNOWLEDGE in the mystery of Christ.”
This KNOWLEDGE that we have of spiritual things, is a knowledge that comes from FAITH. Once we put our faith in the Lord Jesus, we are taught of His Spirit. We take those things by faith and have the assurance that they are true. I will close this meditation with this familiar verse: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) I encourage you to read this “FAITH CHAPTER” and see how the Lord has blessed faith in Himself through the ages. (299.2)