In the School of Faith
Bible Study
From a study of Charles Stanley
Date: 7/15/14
Week # 1
SUBJECT: Three Types of Faith
I Intellectual Faith:
Key Passage: James 2:17
Supporting Scriptures: Mark 4:14-15; I John 5:12; Romans 14:23; James 2:14-26
We will start with number one, which is Intellectual (Natural Faith)—Believing something is true without proof or commitment. For example, a person can intellectually believe Jesus was a real person who performed miracles but not accept the fact that He was God in Man.
1. Faith is certainly an essential element in the Christian life:
a. Without faith, it is impossible to please God - Hebrews 11:6
b. The Christian is saved by faith - Ephesians 2:8
c. The Christian is to walk (live) by faith - 2 Corinthians 5:7
d. Whatever we do apart from faith is described as sin - Romans 14:23
2. It is important to realize, however, that there are different kinds of faith, but only one that is truly "saving faith"
3. In James 2:14-26, we find James discussing the different kinds of faith, with an emphasis upon that faith which works to the saving of the soul
[Beginning with verses 14-17, we notice the first kind of faith. We might call this kind of faith...]
I. DEAD FAITH (14-17)
A. THIS KIND OF FAITH...
1. Substitutes words for deeds (consider James' example)
a. People with this kind of faith:
1) Know the correct vocabulary for prayer and sound doctrine
2) Can even quote the right verses from the Bible
b. But their "walk" does not measure up to their "talk"!
2. Is only an INTELLECTUAL faith
a. In one's mind, he or she knows the doctrine of salvation
b. But they have never really submitted themselves to God and trusted in Jesus for salvation
c. They know the right "words", but they do not back up their words with their "works"!
B. CAN THIS KIND OF FAITH SAVE?
1. NO! Three times in this passage, James emphasizes that "faith without works is dead" - James 2:17,20,26
2. Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false declaration: A DEAD FAITH!
3. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and lulls the person into a false confidence of eternal life
C. DO WE HAVE THIS KIND OF FAITH?
1. We do, if our WALK does not measure up to our TALK!
2. We do, if our WORKS do not measure up to our WORDS!
[We need to beware of mere intellectual faith. As Warren Wiersbe said,
"No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same anymore than
he can if he comes into contact with a 220-volt wire and remain the same."
(compare this to 1Jn 5:12)
Intellectual faith: belief that changes nothing
Jesus addresses the subject of knowing the right things but not doing them, when He said, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great" (Luke 6:46-49 ESV; see also Matthew 7:24-27). Jesus indicated that, if we truly consider Him to be our Lord, we should be doing what He wants us to do. The people calling Him, "Lord, Lord" had the knowledge to know what they should do; they simply were not doing it. Jesus makes a direct contrast between the man who acts upon the knowledge he has and the one who does not act on that knowledge. Both have the same knowledge, but one has chosen to commit to living according to the truth he knows, while the other have not. For the one who simply knows the truth without acting on it, Jesus says, "…the ruin of that house was great."
It is important that each professing Christian examine his or her owns heart and life, and make sure that they possess true saving faith, which is a dynamic faith Satan is the great deceiver; one of his devices is imitation. If he can convince a person that counterfeit faith is true faith, then he has that person in his power!
There is indeed a difference between emotional faith and intellectual faith. When it comes to 'saving' faith, both emotional and intellectual faith must be present. Emotional faith, without knowledge of the truth, will lead to an enthusiastic journey down the wrong road. Intellectual faith, without the commitment of the heart, is not faith at all, but merely a mental acknowledgement of facts.
God has given us His Word in order that we might know His plan, our sin, and the Savior, Jesus Christ. He has told us that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness, we cannot fix ourselves, Jesus Christ died on a cross for our sins, and repentance and faith in Jesus will cleanse us, so that we can have fellowship with God again. When one realizes this Truth [intellectual faith] and acts upon it by committing himself or herself to Jesus [emotional faith], that person truly gains eternal life.
God has given us His Word in order that we might know His plan, our sin, and the Savior, Jesus Christ. He has told us that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness, we cannot fix ourselves, Jesus Christ died on a cross for our sins, and repentance and faith in Jesus will cleanse us, so that we can have fellowship with God again. When one realizes this Truth [intellectual faith] and acts upon it by committing himself or herself to Jesus [emotional faith], that person truly gains eternal life.
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14 ESV).
Faith is a "means to a beginning". When a believer chooses for the first time to believe and have faith in Jesus as their savior, they are starting a brand new way of life. Faith is a choice that Christians make in believing that Christ was crucified and rose again, and that He is the One and only Son of God. Let us dive in deep into scripture and see what the Bible says about intellectual faith.
Mark 4:14-15
14 The sower soweth the word.
15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
1 John 5:12
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
Romans 14:23
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
James 2:14-26
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 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.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Reflection questions we can ask ourselves as we examine our faith:
Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and to God?
Was there a time when my heart stirred me to flee from the wrath to come? Have I ever been seriously worked up over my sins?
Do I truly understand the gospel that Christ died for MY sins and then rose again? Do I understand and confess that I cannot save myself?
Did I sincerely repent of my sins, making the decision to turn from them? Do I now hate sin and fear God? Or do I secretly love sin and want to enjoy it?
Have I trusted Christ and Him alone for my salvation by responding to the commands He has given? Have I confessed my faith in Christ and then been baptized for the remission of my sins as He and His apostles commanded?
Has there been a change in my life?
Do I maintain good works, or are my good works occasional and weak?
Do I seek to grow in the things of the Lord?
Can others tell that I have been with Jesus?
Do I have a desire to share Christ with others? Or am I ashamed of Him?
Do I enjoy the fellowship of God's people? Is worship a delight to me?
Am I ready for the Lord's return? Or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?
To be sure, not every Christian has the same degree of faith; those who have had more time to grow should be stronger in faith. But for the most part, the spiritual inventory can assist a person in determining his or her true standing before God
May our prayers be similar to that of the Psalmist's
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
try me and know my anxieties;
"And see if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalms 139:23-24
QUESTIONS:
1) What is intellectual faith?
2) Can intellectual faith save us?
3) Do we have intellectual faith?
4) How can we be deceived in our faith?
5) What is dead faith?
6) Dead faith is when you do what?
7) What cleanse us in our walk with the Lord?
Multiple Choices WEEK #1
1. Faith's first mention - by name - in Scripture is in:
A) The Law B) The Gospels C) The Prophets D) The Psalms
2. Which statement is not found in Scripture?
A) Cursed is the man who trusts in man
B) Do not put your trust in princes
C) He who trusts in his own heart is a fool
D) All of the above are Biblical statements
3. According to the Gospel of Mark, a father agonizing over his son's distress exemplified the best prayer which someone struggling with faith can pray when he said to Jesus:
A) Your will be done
B) Please give me a sign!
C) I ask this in Your name, Lord.
D) Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!
4. To which three would the phrase "who through faith...out of weakness were made strong" best be applicable?
A) Isaac, Shimei, and Abigail
B) Solomon, Jehoida, and Ishmael
C) Isaiah, Rebekah, and Asaph.
D) Samson, Elijah, and Nehemiah
5. Although not mentioned by name in the Hebrews chapter 11 roster, these three were heroic in their faith.
A) Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah
B) Shiphrah, Puah, and Peninnah
C) Hophni, Phinehas, and Uzzah
D) Joab, Abishai, and Asahel
PRAYER:
Father God, we praise You and honor You with all our hearts. Bless us to be like Christ in our faith. We desire strong faith in You. Please help our unbelief. Thank You for saving faith, and for faith to move mountains out of our lives. We ask that You bless all members with the faith we need to stand strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. We pray this in Jesus' Mighty Name, amen.
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