Faith and Hope

When a person speaks, you can either believe or doubt what they say. The Spirit speaks words of guidance to us from heaven. If anyone draws back, the Father has no pleasure in him. The Spirit requires that Its words be heard and obeyed. Without faith, works are dead. But how can anyone believe unless someone has spoken? The works confirm our faith. “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” Jas. 2:14. In other words, faith can save us when it is accompanied by works.

When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; when sin is full-grown, it brings forth death. Conversely, we can say: When faith has conceived, it gives birth to works; when works are full-grown they bring forth life. There is hope for this life. Faith gives birth to works, and works bring forth life. There is no hope for the ungodly, but Jesus Christ is our hope. 1 Tim. 1:1. The hope of the righteous is increased by works of faith, as righteousness increases and saves them from hopelessness, thereby bringing them into the hope of glory, Christ Jesus. This hope will not disappoint.

A faith that is active in works nourishes this hope. A person will gladly sacrifice for such a hope, because he knows that he will receive a hundredfold of glory in return, in eternal life.

By works of faith, the Spirit comes into contact with the water and the blood in the body. Sin in the flesh is consciously condemned, and our spirit is freed from the law of sin and death. A life of righteousness grows, and the hope of glory increases.

Faith penetrates deeper into the body and makes us conscious of sin that has not yet appeared before the judgment seat of our conscience. It is then judged in the flesh by the light of the Spirit, and righteousness pierces into hidden places. All manner of unrighteousness within the body is laid bare; it is put to death and must yield to the true Israelite in whom there is no guile. The land is cleared by the obedience of faith, bringing even the most concealed enemies into the light and to judgment.

Paul received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations to the honor of His name, among whom you also are called. Rom. 1:5-6. How many of today’s preachers have the same goal, to bring about the obedience of faith?

The obedience of faith is not just what is commonly understood as believing in Jesus; it means that we believe in purification and sanctification. It means that we deal with each person on an individual basis and instruct them thoroughly in the ways of Christ Jesus. It means persuading them to obey the Spirit’s voice within. However, this work requires a sincere, mutual trust, because it is necessary for the person to be open and to reveal their inner thoughts. Then the servant of the Lord must work hand in hand with the Holy Spirit. This is the work that God’s co-workers have been given.

It is quite easy to walk up to a pulpit, deliver a sermon, and then go home again. Such a preacher is not at all acquainted with the individuals who are listening to him. He has not exhorted a single one of them with tears, and he has not made the slightest attempt to bring about the obedience of faith in a single individual.

A person must be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. By God’s grace, we must counter all their ways of escape and block each gate with the two-edged sword of truth. This is what it means to bring about the obedience of faith. The hope of attaining the glory of God increases as obedience is fulfilled; the soul becomes content and rejoices in their new state.

Paul was called to this work; but not only him—it’s for every one who wants to receive a reward from their work. This work is found in the lowly places, yet it is gold and silver and precious stones. Unfortunately, people prefer to build with wood, hay, and stubble, because something can be built that appears great in people’s eyes. However, the day will come when everyone’s work will be tested by fire.