The Depth of Faith: Right Faith's Amazing Effects

Copyright © 2012 by Jayamon Jacob.

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-6206-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-6208-7 (hc)

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2012913964

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/17/2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

Abbreviations And Biblical Quotations

Chapter 1:   Faith’s Characteristics

Chapter 2:   Faith And Its Conduct

Chapter 3:   The Deeds Of Faith In Action: Certain New Testament Events

Chapter 4:   True Faith’s Unyielding Nature

Chapter 5:   Seven Important Types Of Faith In The New Testament

Bibiliography

For my most adorable Savior—

The author and finisher of my precious faith—

Jesus Christ

And also, my late mother, Mrs. Chinnamma Jacob,

my late maternal grandparents:

Pastor T.J. Abraham and Mrs. Aleykutty Abraham.

Whose dedication and guidance never be forgotten.

FOREWORD

Jayamon Jacob’s careful study of The Depth of Faith testifies to the huge importance of the aspect of faith in biblical theology and practical Christian life. The term faith has been used with a wide range of meanings in the contemporary society. Broadly speaking, the phrase faith has been employed to denote a particular religious faith such as Christian faith or Jewish faith. In this context, we apply the term other faiths to refer other religions. Faith also can be comprehended as a code or constitution of faith.

In a Christian perspective, the same word faith is treated in a stricter sense to convey what is specifically Christian in contrast to a non-Christian worldview. In short, faith is multidimensional in its meaning and practice: that is, the devotee who believes something/ someone (GOD) by faith; and the faith that is believed. The faith that is believed is the historic faith tradition that is revealed and recorded in the Holy Scriptures. In his book, Jacob has successfully attempted to bring together all traits of faith that are spread all throughout the Bible. His study is extremely relevant as the historical faith has been challenged down through the centuries and continues to be contested both from within and without even today.

We are living in a post-modern world, and every sphere of our life is influenced and challenged by the post-modern philosophical world-view. The most notable feature of postmodernist is the progressive loss of confidence in any absolute knowledge or truth. This disbelief or skepticism has resulted in questioning the authenticity, veracity and trustworthiness of biblical narratives, there by rejecting ‘the grand story’ of God’s redemptive plans and stereological purposes.

I   do hope that Jacob’s analysis of this theme would enable readers to understand the difference between the objective truth and false hood, reality and illusion. This can lead them from subjective incredulity to objective certitude of the Christian faith and truth claims.

The catalogue of faith in the book of Hebrews (ch.11) provides various shades of the meaning of faith in different forms and expressions. From our aforementioned discussion, it is evident that the concept ‘faith’ is not a unified single thought. Though the term ‘faith’ appears here 27 times, the thrust of the concept varies with every narration of the faith event. Nevertheless, the writer projects faith fundamentally as faithfulness to one’s divine call and vocation. The notable feature of faith portrayed in the pages of Hebrews underscores the very fact that one’s faithfulness to the walk of faith can bring any outcome both positive and negative. This is contrary to the contemporary teaching and preaching of this subject in many Christian circles, where faith is projected only in a positive lime light with health, wealth and material wellbeing. The heroes’ faith had undergone persecution, prison, poverty and even death. Still they had looked forward in hope to something better. Their faith reminds us again and again that the faith does not guarantee us a life with a bed of roses. Jacob has set apart considerable space to expound Hebrews

II   in the light of the Old Testament.

In this study, of faith Jacob takes the readers from Adam in the Genesis to Jesus in the Gospel, the ‘center point of faith in the N.T. I sincerely wish and pray that may the Lord grant wisdom and discretion to readers in acknowledging and glorifying Jesus as Lord and Savior. He is the author and perfecter of our faith.

I have been privileged to be associated with Pastor Jayamon Jacob in ministry at their local church since 2009. I am delighted that his vision is being materialized in the pages of a book to a wider readership. I know that the achievement of writing and publishing a

book is always hard earned, and that at times must have wondered if it was all worthwhile, but now that the accolade is I am sure you would soon feel the benefit and reap the rewards.

Joseph Abraham, PhD Philadelphia Easter 2012

PREFACE

About half a century ago, Pastor T.J Abraham-my maternal grandfather—once in a month calls upon the village barber to his home in India, to do his cutting and shaving needs. Then he calls all his grand children in the home to come and cut their hair by the same barber. One day I asked the grandpa: Why there is only one special barber each month cut your hair and ours? I have total faith in him, my little boy! grandpa retorted. Faith in him? What do you mean? I inquired. Although, he is well equipped with big scissors, shaving knife, I have trust in him and never have evil thoughts that he would use those tools against us! I then inquired with curiosity: So you do not have faith in other barbers? They are strangers with no rapport to me, and I do not fully trust them with those harmful equipments in their hands Grandpa concluded with a meaningful smile in his face!

The above dialogue shook my young ages. Grandpa was an untiring champion of his faith and gospel, slowly influenced me with the two key words in the Bible-faith and trust. In my young years, when I was filled with the Holy Spirit and the subsequent years, the meaning of these two words slowly revealed to me! If we can trust a village barber, who is well equipped with, to do us harm and we sit about 30 minutes willingly, on a chair to do cutting and shaving needs why do not we have faith in the living God? As grandpa was unwilling to trust other strange barbers are we forced to have faith in foreign gods? We all have faith in different aspects and angles in our daily lives. Shouldn’t we? The faith between husbands and wives, faith in our banking and security systems, in our local, state and federal governments, in our political leaders, in our stock markets, in our school teachers, in our national electric grid, in our aviation, shipping, and auto industries and so on! Every now and then we have set backs in all above mentioned we had faith! It is remarkable that many people with these setbacks still continue to trust all these earthly ventures, but refuse to trust a living God—who created all these ventures with diligence and wisdom! Our Lord Jesus taught His disciples on this paramount point in gospels.

After the Last Supper, He vehemently advised His bewildered disciples: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. (John 14:1 NIV) Another time Jesus urged His followers: Have faith in God. (Mk.11:22NIV) These words of Jesus have its vitality, logic and assurance in our troubled hearts! Notice here, Jesus never advised to trust other earthly ventures or have faith in any other saints or deities!! Why our hearts are in trouble? It is indeed we have trust in other things rather than in the true God. When we have true faith and real trust in God our hearts be at peace! The Psalmist put it: God is our refuge and strength, and a very present help in trouble. (46:1 NIV) God knows faith is an imperative feeling which has its positive consequences even in absolute negativities!

Part 2: During Christmas time, most of the young children receive gifts from their earthly father. When they open the wrapped gifts they would be highly delighted and many kids thank their father. God—the heavenly Father—decided to give a gift to each person who was created in His likeness and in His image who are on this world. Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus: … . in the coming ages he (God) might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. (2:7-9NIV) As the child opens his/her Christmas gift with curiosity and diligence and be delighted with gratefulness, all the true believers are thankful for our heavenly Father for the marvelous and precious gift of faith given to all of us in Christ Jesus!

Many of us know, children’s gifts given by the earthly fathers slowly worn out and fade and end up in a garbage dump. But the gift of faith, given to all of us through Jesus our Lord, by the heavenly Father, will never fade by the power of the Holy Spirit, if we utilize it for our salvation. If any true believer maintains and sustains its vitality and uniqueness, it will lead us to eternal life. Jesus Himself revealed to us: I tell you the truth; whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24NIV) In other words, an individual’s ultimate destiny hinges on his/her faith in God which is a gift given freely through His Son Jesus Christ. True faith can be a crossing point from eternal damnation to eternal salvation! It fuels anyone from death to life as Jesus taught us.

Another vital aspect of faith is, it is superior to the Law. Apostle Paul taught the Galatians: But the scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin; so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we must be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law (3:22-25 NIV) In other words, God who had given the law knew we are all prisoners of sin. God in His magnificent grace provided a way of rescue—faith in Jesus Christ! Keeping our focus on Christ and develop faith in Him in this life, so it will lead us to eternal life with Him! Faith germinates in our hearts by the power of God and maintains the growth of it by the supervision of the Holy Spirit and He urges us to focus on the author and finisher of our faith-Jesus Christ. This aspect can be observed throughout this book whether the Biblical characters from Old or New Testament era. Throughout my Christian life, true faith in Christ Jesus became like a fuel to a car on the road whether straight or zigzag’s! As you read this book with openness, the faith based actions of real characters of the Bible incidents would enable all readers, to sustain and maintain ‘the precious faith’ and its true guidance!

I wholeheartedly submit this book to all readers with ample humility and humbleness. Truly, I thank God for His Spirit’s guidance throughout this venture.

I am grateful to Dr. Joseph Abraham from Philadelphia, USA who wrote ‘Forward’ with a short notice. I am also thankful to Dr.Santhosh Abraham from UK and Prof. Bobby Varughese from Florida USA for writing felicitations for this book. May God bless them abundantly! After reading this book with an open heart, if anyone is gently touched by the Holy Spirit, please focus on Christ Jesus for the eternal salvation through Him.

If there are any comments or observations while or after reading this book, please do not hesitate to follow me @JJayamon or JJacob305@aol.com.

Jayamon Jacob Miami, Florida Easter 2012

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

‘The Depth of Faith’ by Pastor Jayamon Jacob is highly recommended reading on a topic which is essential in today’s world. The book is divided into five key sections, each with a particular focus on various aspects of faith, which includes the characteristics of faith, the importance of faith in action, persistence in Christian faith and various types of faith. The Depth of Faith cites numerous relevant biblical examples to help the reader connect with how people who walked in faith transformed their world to the glory of God. Pastor Jayamon Jacob draws on his long standing personal experience of living in faith in writing this book. Read and be blessed.

Dr. Santhosh Abraham, CFA Lecturer in Accounting Heriot Watt University Edinburgh, Scotland

The Depth of Faith is one of those finest books that will not want to put down. This book is marvelously written, filled with intelligent counsel and life changing applications and will purely blessing to read for all age groups.

In this book author, Pastor Jayamon Jacob highlights that we can believe things into existence’, which is never the same faith that real believers should have. Our faith must be based upon the truth in God’s Word. The author emphasizes the need to have a true heart of full assurance of faith that is deep rooted and grounded in Christ, so that your faith will operate in its fullest depth through love and perseverance. If applied, the teachings in this book will not only change your inner life, but also cause an inner awakening to be birthed within. This book comes highly recommended, is filled with scriptural applications, wisdom, wise counsel, encouragement and will bless the reader abundantly. Sincerely,

Bobby Varghese, MSN RN Associate Professor of Nursing Broward College, Florida, USA

ABBREVIATIONS AND BIBLICAL QUOTATIONS

King James Version (KJV Bible)

Copyright Information: No copyright information available. New King James Version (NKJV Bible)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New International Version (NIV Bible)

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Today’s English Version (TEV)

Scriptures taken from Today’s English Version—Second Edition ©—1992

Ancient Eastern Text (AET)

Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible from the Ancient Eastern Text

Copyright © 1933 © renewed 1968 by A.J. Holman company.

6.New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975, 1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

7.GOD’S WORD Translation (GW Bible)

Scripture is taken from GOD’S WORD®, © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

8.   Darby Translation: No copyright information available.

CHAPTER 1

FAITH’S CHARACTERISTICS

Introduction

As we pass through the pages of the Bible, it is interesting to see the phenomena of faith are vital in relationship with our creator. This vitality began in the first pages of the Bible and remained and continued until the last pages.

It was imperative for God to check the depth of faith almost all Biblical characters right from the human history. Since faith and obedience correlated, the first observation of faith in God began in the Garden of Eden where the first couples dwelt.

When God had commanded the man, saying, You are free to eat any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die. Adam the first man not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil according to the command of God, He was naturally checking the faith of Adam in God. (Gen.2: 16-17 New International Version)

Many people think Adam had only one sin of disobedience to God. But we can infer that he was not a good communicator of this crucial and only command of God to his wife Eve. As Paul written to the Romans, So the faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom.10: 17 King James Version) Eve’s faith did not have strong, and effective hearing from her husband and the word of God from Adam did not penetrate her heart as it supposed to be. It is noticeable that Adam did not insist and taught the only command of God, diligently to his wife. She was a poor hearer too. No wonder she easily fell on the craftiness of the serpent. Her faith only came from hearing from Adam since God did not directly speak to her about the forbidden fruit.

If faith comes from hearing and the communicator and the receiver, are not so productive and effective the depth of faith, would not have sufficient roots, and may fall in the craftiness of the devil. So, the main aspect of this study is, how we can get adequate faith, how do we communicate and hear the word of God productively and effectively to others, and sustain and maintain our precious faith in God. Adam’s ineffective conversing method and the lack of his wife’s keenness contributed to their downfall. The depth of faith in God was not deeply rooted both in Adam and Eve. Only because of this very reason, the mankind lost the paradise. Although God remained faithful to all of His creations, human beings slowly slipped from the paradise and ran with the wicked world of corruption, lack of faith and dishonesty.

Definition of Faith:

The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews clearly defined the word faith and sufficiently promoted the bold and elegant activities of the biblical ancestors as means of faith to, please God. Let us try to understand the meaning of faith as the author of Hebrews visualized it first.

Although the first verse, of the eleventh chapter begins with a definition of faith, he actually elaborates the implications of faith in a stunning and vivid manner, regarding the works of the biblical characters that obviously pleased God. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report (Heb.11: 1-2 KJV) The Greek word, which used for, faith is Pistis which basically means confidence, faithfulness, trust, pledge of good faith, which used 244 times in the Bible.

The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen are both terms have a relationship with God who is the creator. It is essential to understand that the word hope is something is in the future. It means we live in present time, and we are aspiring for a future event involved is hope. Similarly, the term things not seen is also a future term. What we are seeing currently by only a present term, but the term things not seen is surely a future event. Both created and controlled by God. The same writer earlier wrote: He that built all things is God (Heb.3:4 KJV) So it is clear that whether it is faith related hope or faith related things not seen, both under the control of God regarding a past, present or a future event.

The writer of the Hebrews after defining the word faith he began with past events and its consequences began with elders of the past. He obviously put it, For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good report. (Heb.11:2) It means that since the elders of the past did a terrific job on faith related works they were able to obtain a satisfactory report from God.

Furthermore, he reminds all of us without faith, it is impossible to please God. It means that the elders that described in the chapter were able to; please God by their things hoped for and things unseen. The writer specifically says again, he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him (11:6 KJV). The elders were able to, please God by their faithful actions and rewarded by God since their actions were diligent.

The Examples of Faith

Jesus Christ: The writer of the Hebrews after giving a vivid description of 18 wonderful elders of the Old Testament, in Chapter 11 then he proceeds to call Jesus Christ is better than all of them. What the current believers have to do is to look at Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. (12:2). Since there are different faiths in the world, the writer reminds all true believers that Jesus is the author and finisher of OUR faith. Why Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith?

When we would look at different versions of other English translations, we would get a true understanding of this verse

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (New American Standard Bible)

We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God. (God’s Word Translation),

Looking steadfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith: who, in view of the joy lying before him, endured the cross, having despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Darby Bible Translation),

So we can understand that author and finisher of our faith means, Jesus is author and perfecter of faith (NASB), the source and goal of our faith (GWT) the leader and completer of our faith (DBT).

It means that our faith has a beginning in Jesus and also an end in Jesus. Jesus knows our level of faith whether is on the surface, or it is in the half way or how in-depth it is. If it is at the top of the surface, with a firm and humble request from us Jesus can make it deeper.

Instances from the Gospel: When Jesus was at the mount of transfiguration together with Peter, James and John, the apostles were able to see His majestic glory. It was so overwhelming for the three apostles, and they did not want to descend from the mountain. However, it was a testing of faith of the other nine apostles on the valley. The father of a lunatic boy came and kneeling down to Jesus and said, Lord have mercy upon my son, for he is lunatic … I brought him to thy disciples and they could not cure him. (Mt.17: 15-16 KJV) Jesus’ reply was incredible. O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? Upon the bad report, (opposite of the good report of elders in Hebrews 11 regarding faith) of the inability and fruitless faith of His own nine disciples from the father of the lunatic boy Jesus was asking this question. What does it mean? For the last 2 years of His ministry, Jesus tried to implant the seeds of faith, in to the nine disciples but would His effort is in vain since the seeds did not grow effectively? Do not forget that Jesus already given power to them to cast out all demonic powers. (Mt.10: 1) They were unable to use this given power although they tried and totally failed since their faith was only on the surface. It was not well rooted, and the father of this boy complained to Jesus about their incompetence regarding their