What is Faith
The Hebrew word for faith is Emunah which means Confidence.
According to Hebrew thought Emunah is depicted as a triangle, the first leg of which is knowledge - a knowledge of the Lord. Without a knowledge of the Lord it is impossible to have faith.
As we get to know the Lord we experience His love for us. And as we experience His love we in turn begin to love those around us. Love is the second leg of the Emunah triangle. Without love it is impossible to have faith.
As our love for others grows we become motivated to do things for them. We begin to invest our time, money and energy into those people whom the Lord has brought into our lives. Doing things or works is the third leg of the Emunah triangle. Without works it is impossible to have faith.
As we get to know the Lord we experience His love which motivates us to do works. And as the Lord blesses these works we gain confidence which results in us getting to know the Lord more intimately whereby we experience more of His love which motivates us to do more works.
If any one of these three ingredients - knowledge, love or works - is missing it is impossible to have faith.
Hebrews 11:6
And without Emunah 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.
Matthew 24:27, 28
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
The reason Jesus got angry with the Pharisees was because they had works but they did not know the Father and they were not motivated by love. They had “counterfeit works” produced by the flesh and not by the Spirit.
John 15:16
“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”
The difference between works done in the flesh and works done in the Spirit through Emunah is that works done through Emunah will remain forever.
So…
How confident are you?
