The Dynamics of Faith

THE DYNAMICS OF FAITH

Faith without corresponding action is dead (James 2:20,22,26). Faith is dynamic. Wherever faith operates, there will be life, action and vitality. Faith is the path to life and dominion.

However before we can examine the dynamics of faith, we need to define faith itself. There are many definitions of faith as we have people and systems. Some definitions come out of what faith does. Others result from the standpoint of faith, its nature and requirement. However, the Bible gives a definition of Bible faith as:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1).

The Greek word for substance is “Hupostasis” – something that stands under to support another thing. It is something which provides the basis for something else.

Jesus is referred to as “the exact representation of the Father’s nature (hupostasis)” (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is the visible expression of the invisible God. Jesus is the underlying reality, a solid basis for us knowing that God exists.

Faith is the present underlying reality of an invisible, future hope. It is what stands under and supports that hope and brings it to pass so that the hope is never disappointed.

GREEK ORIGINAL AND ROOT WORDS

Hebrews 11:1; 1:3; Matthew 8:10,26; 9:2,22,29; 14:31; 15:28; 16:8; 17:17,20; 21:21; 24:45; 25:21; Mark 2:5; 4:40; 5:34; 10:52; 11:22; Luke 12:42; 16:10-12; 19:17; John 20:27.

When translations are effected, whether through dynamic correspondence or literal equivalence, losses are always sustained because of the nature of language. The Bible is not exempt from this. The original language of the New Testament is Greek. However, we approach the New Testament through English translations of which there are many (KJV, RSV, NIV, NASB, etc.) each with its strengths and weaknesses. There is no perfect translation. Our understanding of faith can be more thorough as we examine the original Greek words translated or transliterate to English.

Greek falls into a group of languages with the property of declension – where the pronoun merges with the verb and the ending letter is very significant.

In English, “I believe” constitutes two words – The pronoun and the verb. In Greek, it is one “Pisteuo” – the ending is declined to indicate whom it is referring to. Greek words have a STEM around which letters are appended and added to form several other words. Italian is a language with declension: Andare, Andate, Andiamo, etc. Derek Prince has concisely but precisely summarized the facts as shown below:

“Before we go further with our study of faith, it will be helpful to clear up a linguistic misunderstanding that often causes difficulties for people who approach the New Testament through an English translation. In English we have two different words: a noun, faith; a verb, to believe. In origin or form, there is no obvious connection between these two words. As a result, preachers sometimes seek to make a distinction between “believing” and “having faith”. However, there is no basis for this distinction in the original Greek of the New Testament.

In Greek the word for “faith” is pistis and the word for “believe” is pisteuo. The stem of each word is made up of the same four letters – pist. As far as the Bible is concerned, believing is exercising faith. Conversely, exercising faith is believing.

When we turn to the words that express the opposite of faith, we again find a difference between English and Greek. In English the opposite of “faith” is “unbelief”. We have no such word as “unfaith”. But in Greek there is a direct connection between faith and its opposite. “Faith” is pistis; “unbelief” is apistia. (In Greek the negative prefix “a” corresponds to the English prefix “un”). The same four-letter stem pist occurs in both Greek words: faith, pistis; unbelief, apistia.

Also connected with this four-letter stem pist, we have the adjective pistos – faithful, believing. From this, the negative prefix “a” gives us the opposite adjective, apistos – unfaithful, unbelieving.

For the sake of clarity, we will set these five words side by side in two parallel columns:

We see that all five Greek words are visibly linked by the stem form pist that occurs in each of them. Altogether, they occur almost 600 times in the original text of the New Testament. On this basis alone, it is clear that these words represent a theme that is central to the Bible’s total revelation.” - Faith To Live By – Derek Prince (pages 10 & 11).

GODLY OBEDIENCE TO THE REDEEMER’S WORDS

Matthew 14: 28-32; Luke 17:12-19; 5:1-11; Mark 3:5; Exodus 14:14-26; Joshua 6:1-20; 2 Kings 2:6-15; 6:5-7; 5:1-20.

Many people have a strange idea about faith. They perceive it as something mysterious. They are always trying to possess faith that they can use. However, faith though a possession operates more or less through action. Godly obedience to the Redeemer’s words will bring results and this will be faith in action. He has bid us to come to Him, in faith we can step out and walk on water (Matthew 14: 28-32). He has told us to go and show ourselves to the priest as cleansed lepers. If we go in faith, the healing will manifest (Luke 17:12-19). He has bid us to stretch that withered hand, if we do so it will straighten out (Mark 3:5). He has bid us to launch out into the deep, if we do so we are bound to catch abundance of fishes (Luke 5:1-11).

This fact is clearly expressed by T.L. Osborn in his classic “Healing The Sick” ((Pages 55 & 56) – 34th Edition Harrison House Inc, P.O. Box 35055, Tulsa Oklahoma 74153 ISBN-0-89274-403-0):

“Obtaining the fulfillment of His promise is more a matter of obedience than of conscious faith. Faith is doing what He tells us to do, then expecting God to do what He tells us He will do.

Noah built the ark – God flooded the earth.

Moses stretched out the rod – God parted the waters.

Joshua marched around the walls of Jericho – God pushed them down.

Elijah smote the waters – God parted them.

Elisha threw the stick in the river – God made the iron to swim.

Naaman dipped seven times – God healed the leprosy.

Do what God tells you to do, then expect God to do what He said He would do. That is faith.”

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR REAL WINNERS

1 John 5:4; Mark 9:23-29; 11:22-24; Hebrews 11:1-35; 6:12-15; 1 Peter 5:8,9; James 4:7; 1:5-8; Luke 1:45; Acts 27:25.

Faith provides us a great window of opportunity. It is the path to victory and dominion (1 John 5:4; Mark 9:23). The heroes of faith achieved tremendous results by faith and through faith. These achievements were prefaced with the phrase “By faith” and “Through faith” (Hebrews 11:1-35).

Their achievements are varied – offering excellent sacrifice, escaping the judgment of the flood, inheriting the land of Canaan, translation into heaven, crossing the Red Sea, subduing kingdoms, wroughting righteousness, raising the dead, putting the enemy on the run, receiving new strength and anointing, etc.

Though the achievements were as different from one another as can be, yet the underlying reality remains the same – faith. Faith is the hupostasis – the substance, the underlying reality of those accomplishments. Resisting the Devil and winning the victory over him requires steadfast faith (1 Peter 5:8,9; James 4:7). Moving stubborn mountains and uprooting demonic plantations require faith (Mark 11:22-24; 9:23-29). Receiving wisdom for daily living is through faith (James 1:5-8).

We are told to be followers of those who through faith and patience obtained the promises (Hebrews 6:12-15). Blessed indeed is she that believes for there shall be a performance of those things that the Lord has spoken to her (Luke 1:45; Acts 27:25).