Topical Bible: Faith in Christ Is: The Work of God

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Faith in Christ is a central tenet of Christian doctrine, emphasizing the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of humanity. This faith is not merely a human endeavor but is described in Scripture as the work of God Himself. The concept that faith is divinely initiated and sustained is rooted in various passages throughout the Bible, underscoring the belief that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of human effort.

Divine Origin of Faith

The Gospel of John highlights the divine origin of faith in Christ. In John 6:29, Jesus responds to those questioning Him about the works God requires: "Jesus replied, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.'" . This statement underscores that believing in Christ is not just a human decision but a work initiated by God. It is God who draws individuals to Christ, as further emphasized in John 6:44: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." .

Faith as a Gift

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, elaborates on the nature of faith as a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." . This passage highlights that faith is not a result of human merit or effort but is granted by God's grace. The emphasis on faith as a gift ensures that salvation remains an act of divine grace, preventing any grounds for human boasting.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The work of God in fostering faith in Christ is also attributed to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit plays a crucial role in convicting individuals of sin, righteousness, and judgment, leading them to faith in Christ. In John 16:8-9, Jesus explains, "And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me." . The Holy Spirit's convicting work is essential in bringing individuals to a saving faith in Christ.

Faith and Regeneration

Faith in Christ is closely linked to the concept of regeneration, or being "born again." This spiritual rebirth is described as a work of God, where the believer is made a new creation in Christ. In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." . This new birth is a divine act, enabling individuals to place their faith in Christ and enter into a relationship with God.

Perseverance in Faith

The work of God in faith is not limited to its inception but extends to its perseverance. Philippians 1:6 assures believers of God's continued work in their lives: "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." . This verse affirms that God, who initiates faith, also sustains and perfects it, ensuring that believers remain steadfast in their faith until the end.

Conclusion

Faith in Christ as the work of God is a profound theological truth that emphasizes the divine initiative in salvation. It highlights the grace and sovereignty of God in drawing individuals to Himself, granting them the gift of faith, and sustaining them in their spiritual journey. This understanding of faith as God's work ensures that all glory and honor are directed to Him, the author and perfecter of faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned to the Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 2:5
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... Faith God's work; faith is the work of people. We cannot produce faith ourselves,
nor can we "drum it up at will." Rather, faith comes as Christ speaks His ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

4730. stenochoria -- narrowness of space, fig. difficulty
... always authorized and hence only produces a . Through Christ's inworking of faith
(4102 , "divine ... is ironically the way He shows His work -- in our ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4730.htm - 7k

Library

The Work of the Holy Spirit
... XXI. Regeneration the Work of God. XXII. The Work of Regeneration. XXIII. Regeneration
and Faith. XXIV. Implanting in Christ. XXV. Not a Divine-Human Nature. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/

Strong Faith in a Faithful God
... To give up hope in self was desperate work, and then to find hope in Christ seemed
more desperate still. ... But the Spirit wrought faith in me, and I believed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/strong faith in a faithful.htm

The Work and the Life
... If you will go to work as Christ designs that ... You will plead with God, and your faith
will be strengthened, and your soul will drink deeper drafts at the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 9 the work and.htm

Extracts from the Work on Things Created.
... the impious and unbelieving the deep and sanctifying doctrines of faith in Christ;
but we ... For he says, since there is no workman without some work, or maker ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/extracts from the work on.htm

A Short Account of the Origin of Methodism in England
... than ever the grand doctrines of Jesus Christ; and so ... his societies, were some young
men "full of faith and of ... 2. That the work was eminently the work of God.3 ...
/.../chapter 1 a short account.htm

Faith and Repentance Inseparable
... saves you, not by what you feel, but by that finished work, that blood ... no repentance
is worth having which is not perfectly consistent with faith in Christ. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/faith and repentance inseparable.htm

Faith and Life
... are commanded to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," and we ... At the same time, faith
is God's gift, and wherever ... the force of nature, but from a work of divine ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/faith and life.htm

Triumph of Faith.
... will get grace to carry the life of Christ into our ... The faith that rests in Jesus,
is the faith that trusts ... read that when God had finished His work, and rested ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/xi triumph of faith.htm

Daily Fellowship with God
... to know what it means to live as wholly for God as Christ did ... accompanied by a new,
very definite, and entire surrender to Him to work in you ... "By faith" must here ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/i daily fellowship with god.htm

The Resurrection
... beyond the Greek-speaking world, to accept His faith and be ... For where Christ is named,
idolatry is destroyed and the ... and, more than that, it is the work of God ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 5 the resurrection.htm