Why do some passages in the Bible speak of the “faith of Jesus”?
: This is a good and interesting question. Romans 3:22, Galatians 2:16, 3:22 and Revelation 14:12 all mention the “faith of Jesus.” Let’s begin by reading Romans 3:21-22, “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith OF Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.” It may help to read this verse in the NASB. That says, “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith IN Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.”
In the other three examples, the translation in the NASB (and most other translations) is the same, “faith IN Jesus.” In each case, there are not three words used, but two. In the Greek it is “pistis Ieosous.” The proper thought is the advantage we have when we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We read in Acts 3:16, “And his name THROUGH FAITH IN HIS NAME hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”
Does Jesus have faith? That is a rather odd question, isn’t it? It is very easy to see that the Old Testament patriarchs and the New Testament apostles and disciples of Jesus had—or lacked—faith. The Lord Jesus once asked His disciples, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25). We learn of the necessity of faith in order to be saved in Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We must exercise faith to please the Lord as we read in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” The word “faith” is used more than 230 times in the Bible. It is essential to be saved and to live for the Lord. But does Jesus have faith?
We learn of the characteristics of faith in Hebrews 11:1 which says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Does the Lord Jesus ever hope for anything? Is there anything that He does not already know and thus he has to have faith for future events? It there anything the Lord does not see? Does anything ever escape His ever-watchful eyes? In both cases…ABSOLUTELY NOT! Jesus is God; therefore, He knows all things and see all things. Rather than the Lord Jesus needing faith, He should be the object of our faith.
WE need faith! The Lord spoke of the power of faith in Matthew 17:20, “…If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” We learn of the source of faith in Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Our relationship with the Lord is based on faith as we read in Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
Let me ask you dear reader…have you put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and received His free gift of salvation? Are you trusting Him as your savior? Do you believe on the Lord Jesus? FAITH. TRUST. BELIEVE. These are words that speak of our relationship with the Lord. When asked how to be saved, the Apostle Paul answered that terribly important question with these few and powerful words, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31).
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.” If you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will never perish. You will have everlasting life. (CC) (576.2)