Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals
Monday, October 12
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Acts 16:31-So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Often when studying with friends from a denominational background, it is common to be told that all a person needs to do in order to be saved is “believe” in Jesus Christ. This is certainly true enough, but often the word “believe” is not examined and properly interpreted. In the Scriptures, “believing” in God describes a faith that is willing to obey what God has said and set forth in His Word. This is demonstrated in many places in Scripture, but let’s notice one verse in particular.
John 3:36-He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Notice that the rendering of John 3:36 in the NKJV is slightly different from other versions.
John 3:36 (ESV)-Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
The ESV here more literally translates the Greek word apeitheo (translated “does not believe” in the NKJV) as “does not obey.” This word is often translated as “disobey” in the NKJV.
Romans 2:8-but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey (apeitheo) the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,
Romans 10:21-But to Israel he says: “ALL DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT (apeitheo) AND CONTRARY PEOPLE.”
Hebrews 3:18-And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey (apeitheo)?
1 Peter 2:7-8-Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient (apeitheo), “THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE,”. 8 and “A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE.” They stumble, being disobedient (apeitheo) to the word, to which they also were appointed.
The history of this word and its translation is very enlightening.
We are again confronted with the point on which James is so insistent, a truth so aptly summarized by Melanchthon’s dictum, “It is faith, alone, which saves; but the faith that saves is not alone.” Not all “faith” is saving faith. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (Jas. 2:26). Such “faith” cannot save. Paul makes the same point in Galatians 5:6, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything nor uncircumcision, but faith working by love.” Lightfoot comments: “These words di’ agapes energoumene bridge over the gulf which seems to separate the language of St. Paul and St. James. Both assert a principle of practical energy, as opposed to a barren, inactive theory.”6 Jesus is the Saviour, not of all who profess faith in Him, but “of all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9). Only obedient faith is saving faith. Consider John 3:36: “He that believeth [pisteuo] on the Son hath everlasting life, but he that does not obey [apeitheo] the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” The use of two different words in the Greek text (a fact not indicated in the Authorized Version) lends emphasis to obedience as an essential aspect of saving faith. There is no saving faith apart from obedience. (Robert Shank, Life in the Son: A Study Of The Doctrine Of Perseverance, 2094-2101 (Kindle Edition): Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers)
Notice how in John 3:36, saving faith (pisteuo) is compared with disobedience (apeitheo). The point being made is that the faith that saves is the faith that obeys.
James 2:18-26-But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Are we truly living by faith?
Father, help us to truly live by faith in You and Your Word. Amen.
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