Lesson 23 July 28, 2002

Hebrews 11:6 reads, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

There are two important concepts we learn from this verse:

(1) You cannot please God without faith.

(2) Faith as our modus operandi consists in two fundamental concepts:

(a) We must believe in the existence of God.

(b) We must believe that He is also a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Point: Heb. 11:6 says that we are totally dependent on God for our existence, for our happiness, and for our security.

God cares about us intimately. 1 Pet 5:7

Application: For many Christians, the Christian life is devoid of God's power. Why?

Our best is not what God wants. He wants faith in His best--the Lord Jesus Christ -- His very own Son and the fullness of blessing He has made for us is in Him.

An Explanation of the Details of Faith

The New Testament Word for Faith

The New Testament word for "faith" is pistij.

It means a belief in someone or something confidence, faith, trust, reliance on; conviction of the truth or reality of anything.

Definition of Biblical Faith

1. Biblical definition of faith is given in Heb 11:1.

2. Faith is a system of thinking that is to all members of the human race.

3. Faith is a system of that accepts an established criterion as the basis for reality.

4. Faith then is confidence, trust in the authority and veracity of another or another's .

The criterion is .

5. Because this established criterion is outside the capabilities of the individual, is the only system of thinking that is non - meritorious.

6. Faith as a system of thinking stands in contrast to the two meritorious systems of thinking:

a. Rationalism - what you think, conclusions you make is the criterion, the only basis for action or belief. Rom 2:3; Prov. 14:12 [16:25]

b. Empiricism - what you experience through the senses is the criterion. 2 Cor 5:7 cf. 4:18