| Christian Life and Doctrine | December 1973 |
The Work of Faith
“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” —James 2:18
AMONG Christians throughout the centuries there have been differences of opinion as to the relative value of faith and works in the lives of those who endeavor to follow in the footsteps of the Master. Actually, however, according to the testimony of the Scriptures neither one of these segments of the Christian life can exist without the other. The Apostle Paul wrote concerning “the work of faith.” (I Thess. 1:3) A true living faith in God and in his Word will manifest itself in works, and there can be no true Christian works except they be the outgrowth of faith.
We are accustomed to think of Abraham as being a man of outstanding faith, which he was; but the reason we know that he had faith is because he demonstrated it by his works. James wrote, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”—James 2:21-24
Paul also observes the faith life of Abraham. We quote: “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive as an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” (Heb. 11:8) Here the “works” which demonstrated Abraham’s faith was his obedience in leaving his own country and home, and starting out for a place unknown. “Obeyed” is a brief way of explaining Abraham’s work of faith, but when we consider all that was involved we can well understand why the Lord was so pleased with him. How many of us would leave home, family and friends, and start out on a mission to unknown parts, with the only assurance being that God would show us where to go and what he wanted done?
Moses’ Faith
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures, in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”—Heb. 11:24-27
Here Moses’ “work of faith” was his forsaking the riches of Egypt and the high position which he held there, and casting in his lot with his people, who were then in disfavor with Pharaoh, and doing this at the risk of his life. This move cost him dearly. He had to flee from Egypt. He went to the land of Midian, where he was separated from his people for forty years.
But he did not forget them, nor did he forget his God—the God who had made such wonderful promises to his father Abraham—so when God appeared to him at the burning bush he gave attention to the instructions given to him. But his forty years of exile had had an effect on Moses. He was now no longer so sure of himself as when he rose up and slew an Egyptian forty years before because he was persecuting one of his brethren.
But this was a good thing, for the Lord cannot use those who think they are capable in their own wisdom and strength. Moses at first hesitated, and asked “Who am I” that I should undertake the deliverance of the Hebrew people from their bondage in Egypt? He made the excuse that he was not a man with a ready tongue, and would not be suitable to appear before Pharaoh to ask for the release of his people.
But the Lord assured Moses that he would provide all his needs, even to assigning his brother Aaron to be his mouthpiece. So Moses, in an outstanding “work of faith” obeyed the Lord’s call to this difficult task, and for forty years applied himself diligently to the Lord’s directions, not only delivering the Israelites from Egypt, but bringing them to the very border of the Promised Land. No man of God ever put in forty years of service in the divine cause that were more difficult than those faithfully endured by Moses.
Further Works of Faith
Beginning with Hebrews 11:32 Paul presents us with two lists of those who in that ancient time proved their faith by their works. We quote the first list: “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again.”
It should be noted that in this list of those who demonstrated their faith by their works, the Lord visibly rewarded those who thus proved their faithfulness. Gideon was successful in battle against the Midianites, even though by the direction of the Lord his army was reduced to a mere three hundred. Barak, another judge in Israel, was successful in battle, by the Lord’s help. Samson was given strength to accomplish what the Lord wanted him to do. Jephthae, another of Israel’s judges, had his efforts crowned with success.
Certainly David demonstrated his faith by his works, and how wonderfully the Lord blessed him, beginning with his early experience of contending with the great giant, Goliath, and destroying him. Samuel, the last of Israel’s judges, surely was faced with many difficult tasks, but through faith he met all the challenges, and how wonderfully the Lord blessed his long life of service.
Some of the “works” by which these, with the Lord’s help, demonstrated their faith was the subduing of kingdoms. They also wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. This last is a reference to Daniel, who insisted on praying to God daily, as was his custom, although the king had decreed that anyone who prayed to another God should be cast into a den of lions. Daniel knew what the cost of loyalty to his God would be, but he persisted in performing his “work of faith,” so he was cast into a den of lions. The Lord sent an angel and delivered him, but Daniel did not know in advance that this would be the case.
The expression, “quenched the violence of fire,” is a reference to the three young Hebrews who defied the edict of the king to worship the great image which he had set up. In doing this they did not know what the outcome would be so far as their own personal experience might be. They said to the king, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Dan. 3:17,18) Here the “work of faith” was the defiance of a heathen king, even though threatened with death for so doing.
Others, Paul says, “escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again.” (vss. 34,35) We may not be able to identify all the individuals here mentioned, but the language indicates that the Lord visibly blessed each of them as a reward for their work of faith.
Another List
“And others,” Paul continues, “had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonments.” This list continues through verse 38, and all who are mentioned were permitted to suffer. Unlike Daniel and the three Hebrews, God did not deliver these. None-the-less, they were loyal to him, and performed the work which came to them faithfully, even though it cost them much suffering, and finally death. One of the lessons brought to us by the experiences of these faithful men of old who are mentioned in these two lists is that a true work of faith will have as its motive the doing of God’s will, regardless of what the cost might be.
None of the Lord’s people can really know what experiences they may be called upon to go through on account of their faithfulness to the will and work of God. But a victorious faith will say that this does not make any difference; that it is our privilege to trust and obey, regardless. When we do this, we will find that some of our days will be bright and others may not be so. All our days will be bright, however, if the dark ones are made “bright with accepted pain.”
Our Present Work of Faith
The work of God in the earth during the present Gospel Age has been the selection and preparation of those who are to be associated with Jesus in the kingdom as his “bride.” (Rev. 19:7) The making ready of this future bride of Christ has called for the preaching of the Gospel, and the laying down of our lives for the brethren. This calling and preparation of the bride class began actually at Pentecost, but prior to this Jesus laid the foundation for this work of the Gospel Age by his own faithfulness in preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and by illustrating what the blessings of the kingdom will mean to the people by his many miracles.
As Jesus associated with the sin-cursed and dying people of his day it required a strong faith to believe the promises of his Heavenly Father that the restitution blessings of the messianic kingdom would, in due time, reach these people and restore them to perfection of mind and body. But Jesus had this faith, and it enabled him to go forth day after day to preach the Gospel of the kingdom. This work of preaching the Gospel was costly for the Master, not only in terms of weariness, but also in the fact that it brought upon him the enmity of the religious rulers of his day, and they persecuted him—finally even unto death.
Satanic darkness has always hated the light which emanates from God through his Word and his people. Just as it was in Jesus’ day, when the opinions of men as set forth in the Talmud occupied the chief position of influence in the minds and hearts of those who opposed Jesus, so it has been throughout the age. It is hard to believe that those who serve the Lord should become angry when it is pointed out that their theories do not harmonize with the teachings of his Word; but such has been the case—in Jesus’ day, throughout the age, and even now, in the end of the age.
Jesus’ Faithfulness
At the close of Jesus’ ministry, he was arrested and brought before the high priest for trial. The high priest asked Jesus “of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogues, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.”—John 18:19-21
How tirelessly Jesus performed his “work of faith”! And in most of the places where he ministered he encountered opposition, and he no doubt was often weary, as when he said to his disciples, “Come ye yourselves unto a desert place, and rest awhile: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.”—Mark 6:31,32
But Jesus did not get his much needed rest, for a crowd followed him to the “desert place” by making the journey around the shore of the lake, watching the ship off shore, and learning thus where it landed. The crowd was on hand when Jesus arrived. Did he send these people away with the explanation that he had come there to rest and did not want to be bothered? No! The record states, “And Jesus, when he came out [of the ship], saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.”—Mark 6:34
Although Jesus was weary, he did not allow this to deter him from the use of this wonderful opportunity to preach the Gospel. Here was another example of how costly the “work of faith” can be at times. The record does not state how long Jesus thus preached to this multitude, but “when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.”—Mark 6:35,36
Tired though he was, Jesus did not agree to this suggestion, but instead had his disciples gather the small supply of food they had on hand, and it was here that, by a miracle, he increased a few loaves and fishes sufficiently to feed that multitude of five thousand. Jesus personally handed the food to his disciples for them to serve the people. (Mark 6:37-44) Jesus loved these people, and although he realized that probably most of them would not accept the true Gospel of salvation until in his future kingdom, after they had been raised from the dead, nevertheless his faith and love prompted him to serve them with the truth, and with material food, which probably consumed the larger part of that day he had set aside for rest.
Pentecost
The work of Jesus was preparatory to the actual work of the Gospel Age, which began at Pentecost. And on the Day of Pentecost, we find Peter refuting charges that the disciples were intoxicated, and delivering that wonderful sermon showing that Jesus had been raised from the dead, and had sent the Holy Spirit as he had promised to do before his crucifixion. Here was an outstanding “work of faith” which helped to continue the opposition of the religious rulers against Jesus and his disciples.
It was shortly after Pentecost that Peter and John were used by the Lord to heal a man who had been unable to walk from the time of his birth. Peter climaxed his explanation of this miracle by his lesson concerning the “times of restitution” which would follow Jesus’ second advent. It was a wonderful sermon, and truly a “work of faith.” (Acts 3) Beginning with the next chapter we read, “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hold on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.”
However, the people as a whole who heard Peter’s message, and who knew of the miracle which had prompted it, were favorably impressed, and the religious rulers decided it would not be wise to hold them in prison, so the next morning they were released. After holding a trial in the absence of the apostles, the rulers called the apostles and asked them by what name, or what power this miracle had been performed.
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”—Acts 4:8-12
The next verse tells us that when these rulers saw “the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Truly Jesus was bold in performing the work of faith, and Peter and John had observed this; and now that they were his footstep followers, in the power of the Spirit they also displayed this same determination to carry on faithfully in the “work of faith” no matter what the cost might be.
Peter’s Defiance
The religious rulers talked the matter over further and decided that they would give the apostles their freedom, simply commanding them not to speak any more in the name of Jesus. To this Peter and John answered, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” So far as Peter and John were concerned there could be no compromise. They would permit nothing to deter them from their “work of faith.”
Released, they returned “to their own company” and reported their experiences. And when the brethren heard it “they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou has anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”—Acts 4:23-31
The Faithful Thessalonians
We see similar examples of zeal and boldness in the life and ministry of all the apostles, as well as many others in the Early Church. When, in I Thessalonians 1:3 the Apostle Paul mentions the work of faith being performed by these brethren, and commends them for it, he enlarges upon what he means. He writes:
“Ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything.”—I Thess. 1:6-8
What a compliment this is to the brethren at Thessalonica for their zeal in the “work of faith,” the work of proclaiming the Gospel, of sounding forth the Word of God! They had covered that area so thoroughly that Paul found that there was really no need for him to remain, so apparently he decided to move on to another territory.
Paul explains that it was the zeal of these dear ones at Thessalonica that demonstrated their faith to God-ward—it was indeed their “work of faith.” May we today endeavor to continue faithful in this same “work of faith” to the full extent that the Lord gives us strength and opportunity!