Lesson 28 Explore 2: Exercise Your Faith in Jehovah God’s Promises | Study
Exercise Your Faith in Jehovah’s Promises
“Faith is... the convincing evidence of realities that are not seen.”- ftn.
(Hebrews 11.1: Faith is the assured expectation of what is hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities that are not seen.)
SONGS: 54, 125
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
• How does Noah’s example help us to understand what it means to have faith?
• In what ways must we exercise our faith?
• Why are both faith and love important?
1. How should we view Christian faith?
CHRISTIAN faith is a precious quality. Not all humans possess it.
(2 Thessalonians 3.2: and that we may be rescued from harmful and wicked men, for faith is not a possession of all people.)
However, Jehovah has given to each one of his worshippers “a measure of faith.”
(Romans 12.3: For through the undeserved kindness given to me, I tell everyone there among you not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think, but to think so as to have a sound mind, each one as God has given to him a measure of faith.)
(Galatians 5.22: On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,)
All who have it should be deeply grateful.
2, 3. (a) What blessings are possible for someone who has faith? (b) What questions will we now consider?
2. Jesus Christ said that his heavenly Father draws people to himself through His Son.
(John 6.44: No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him, and I will resurrect him on the last day.)
(John 6.65: He went on to say: “This is why I have said to you, no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”)
Acquiring faith in Jesus, in turn, makes it possible for an individual to gain forgiveness of sins. That, then, opens up the prospect of enjoying an everlasting relationship with Jehovah.
(Romans 6.23: For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.)
What did we do to deserve such a wonderful blessing? As sinners, the only thing we deserve is death.
(Psalm 103.10: He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor has he repaid us what our errors deserve.)
But Jehovah saw a potential for good in us. Out of his undeserved kindness, he opened our heart to the good news. So we began to exercise faith in Jesus with everlasting life in view.-Read
(1 John 4.9, 10: By this the love of God was revealed in our case, that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might gain life through him. The love is in this respect, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins.)
3. But what exactly is faith? Is it limited to a mental grasp of the blessings that God has in store for us? And more important, in what ways must we exercise our faith?
“EXERCISE FAITH IN YOUR HEART”
4. Explain why faith is more than just a mental process.
4. Faith involves much more than a mental understanding of God’s purpose. It is a powerful motivating force that impels a person to act in harmony with God’s will. Faith in God’s means of salvation moves a believer to share the good news with others. The apostle Paul explained: “If you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.”-
(Romans 10.9, 10: For if you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.)
(2 Corinthians 4.13: Now because we have the same spirit of faith as that of which it is written: “I exercised faith, therefore I spoke”; we too exercise faith and therefore we speak,)
5. Why is faith so important, and how can we keep it strong? Illustrate.
5. Clearly, our prospect of enjoying eternal life in God’s new world depends on our having faith and keeping it strong. The need to keep our faith healthy can be likened to a plant’s need for water. Unlike an artificial plant, a living plant keeps changing. A live plant either withers because of a lack of water or continues to thrive with a regular supply of moisture. If deprived of sufficient water, a once healthy plant will eventually die. So, too, our faith. It will wither and die if neglected.
(Luke 22.32: But I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out; and you, once you have returned, strengthen your brothers.”)
(Hebrews 3.12: Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God;)
But if we give it due attention, our faith will stay alive and keep “growing,” and we will be “healthy in faith.”-
(2 Thessalonians 1.3: We are obligated always to give thanks to God for you, brothers. This is fitting, because your faith is growing exceedingly and the love of each and every one of you is increasing toward one another.)
(Titus 2.2: Let the older men be moderate in habits, serious, sound in mind, healthy in faith, in love, in endurance.)
THE BIBLE’S DESCRIPTION OF FAITH
6. In what two ways does Hebrews 11:1 describe faith?
6. The Bible’s description of faith is found at
(Hebrews 11.1: Faith is the assured expectation of what is hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities that are not seen.)
(Read.) Faith focuses on two kinds of things that are not visible to us:
(1) “What is hoped for”-this may include future events that have been promised to happen but that have not yet occurred, such as the end of all wickedness and the coming new world. (2) “Realities that are not seen.” In this context, the Greek word translated “evident demonstration” refers to “convincing evidence” of an invisible reality, such as the existence of Jehovah God, Jesus Christ, the angels, and the activities of the heavenly Kingdom.
(Hebrews 11.3: By faith we perceive that the systems of things were put in order by God’s word, so that what is seen has come into existence from things that are not visible.)
How do we prove that our hope is alive and that we believe in the unseen things spoken of in God’s Word? By our words and deeds-without which our faith would be incomplete.
7. How does Noah’s example help us to understand what it means to have faith? (See opening picture.)
7
(Hebrews 11.7: By faith Noah, after receiving divine warning of things not yet seen, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household; and through this faith he condemned the world, and he became an heir of the righteousness that results from faith.)
highlights the faith of Noah who, “after receiving divine warning of things not yet seen, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household.” Noah exercised his faith by building the gigantic ark. Without doubt, his neighbors must have asked him why he was building such a colossal structure. Did Noah keep quiet or tell them to mind their own business? By no means! His faith moved him to witness boldly and to warn his contemporaries of God’s coming judgment. Quite likely, Noah repeated to the people the exact words that Jehovah had spoken to him: “I have decided to put an end to all flesh, because the earth is full of violence on account of them... I am going to bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy from under the heavens all flesh that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish.” Also, Noah no doubt explained to the people the only means of escape, repeating God’s command: “You must go into the ark.” Thus, Noah further exercised his faith by being “a preacher of righteousness.”-
(Genesis 6.13: After that God said to Noah: “I have decided to put an end to all flesh, because the earth is full of violence on account of them, so I am bringing them to ruin together with the earth.)
(Genesis 6.17, 18: “As for me, I am going to bring floodwaters upon the earth to destroy from under the heavens all flesh that has the breath of life. Everything on the earth will perish. And I am establishing my covenant with you, and you must go into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.)
(2 Peter 2.5: And he did not refrain from punishing an ancient world, but kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, safe with seven others when he brought a flood upon a world of ungodly people.)
8. What was the disciple James inspired to explain regarding the meaning of true Christian faith?
8. The letter of James was likely written shortly after the apostle Paul wrote his inspired description of faith. Like Paul, James explained that true Christian faith is not just a matter of believing; action is involved. “Show me your faith without the works,” wrote James, “and I will show you my faith by my works.”
(James 2.18: Nevertheless, someone will say: “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”)
James goes on to show the clear difference between mere belief and the exercising of one’s faith. The demons believe that God exists, but they have no true faith. Rather, they faithlessly work against the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
(James 2.19, 20: You believe that there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder. But do you care to know, O empty man, that faith without works is useless?)
By contrast, referring to another ancient man of faith, James asks: “Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that his faith was active along with his works and his faith was perfected by his works.” Then to drive home the point that faith must be shown by works, James adds: “Just as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”-
(James 2.21-23: Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that his faith was active along with his works and his faith was perfected by his works, and the scripture was fulfilled that says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness,” and he came to be called Jehovah’s friend.)
(James 2.26: Indeed, just as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.)
9, 10. How does the apostle John help us to understand the importance of exercising our faith?
9. Over three decades later, the apostle John wrote his Gospel and three letters. Did he appreciate the depth of meaning that other Bible writers had been inspired to explain respecting true Christian faith? More than any other Bible writer, John used the Greek verb that is sometimes translated “exercise faith.”
10. For example, John explained: “The one who exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life; the one who disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.”
(John 3.36: The one who exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life; the one who disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.)
Christian faith includes a demonstration of obedience to Jesus’ commands. John often quoted Jesus’ words that show that exercising faith is an ongoing process.-
(John 3.16: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.)
(John 6.29: In answer Jesus said to them: “This is the work of God, that you exercise faith in the one whom he sent.”)
(John 6.40: For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who recognizes the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him on the last day.”)
(John 11.25, 26: Jesus said to her: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life; and everyone who is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all. Do you believe this?”)
(John 14.1: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Exercise faith in God; exercise faith also in me.)
(John 14.12: Most truly I say to you, whoever exercises faith in me will also do the works that I do; and he will do works greater than these, because I am going my way to the Father.)
11. How can we show appreciation for knowing the truth?
11. How grateful we should be that Jehovah used his holy spirit to reveal the truth to us and to enable us to exercise faith in the good news!
Read Luke 10.21: In that very hour he became overjoyed in the holy spirit and said: “I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have carefully hidden these things from wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to young children. Yes, O Father, because this is the way you approved.
We should never cease thanking Jehovah for drawing us to himself through his Son, “the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith.”
(Hebrews 12.2: as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.)
To show our appreciation for such undeserved kindness, we should keep strengthening our faith through prayer and study of God’s Word.-
(Ephesians 6.18: while with every form of prayer and supplication you carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit. And to that end stay awake, constantly making supplication in behalf of all the holy ones.)
(1 Peter 2.2: As newborn infants, form a longing for the unadulterated milk of the word, so that by means of it you may grow to salvation,)
CAPTION: Exercise your faith by sharing the good news at every opportunity (See paragraph 12)
12. In what ways should we exercise our faith?
12. We should keep exercising our faith in Jehovah’s promises. We must do this in ways that are clearly evident to others. For example, we keep on preaching about God’s Kingdom and sharing in the work of making disciples. We also keep working “what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.”
(Galatians 6.10: So, then, as long as we have the opportunity, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.)
And we work hard to “strip off the old personality with its practices,” guarding against anything that could weaken us spiritually.-
(Colossians 3.5: Deaden, therefore, your body members that are on the earth as respects sexual immorality, uncleanness, uncontrolled sexual passion, hurtful desire, and greediness, which is idolatry.)
(Colossians 3.8-10: But now you must put them all away from you: wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices, and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it,)
FAITH IN GOD IS PART OF OUR FOUNDATION
13. How important is “faith in God,” and to what is it likened, and why?
13. “Without faith,” the Bible states, “it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he exists and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” ftn.)
(Hebrews 11.6: Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.)
God’s Word describes “faith in God” as part of the “foundation” that is needed for anyone to become and remain a true Christian.
(Hebrews 6.1: Therefore, now that we have moved beyond the primary doctrine about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying a foundation again, namely, repentance from dead works and faith in God,)
On that foundation, Christians must “supply to [their] faith” other important qualities “in order to keep [themselves] in God’s love.”
Read 2 Peter 1.5-7: For this very reason, put forth all earnest effort to supply to your faith virtue, to your virtue knowledge, to your knowledge self-control, to your self-control endurance, to your endurance godly devotion, to your godly devotion brotherly affection, to your brotherly affection love.
Read Jude 20, 21: But you, beloved ones, build yourselves up on your most holy faith, and pray with holy spirit, in order to keep yourselves in God’s love, while you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view.
14, 15. Compared with love, how important is faith?
14. The Christian Bible writers emphasized the importance of faith by referring to it hundreds of times. No other Christian quality is mentioned as often. Does this mean that faith is the most important Christian quality?
15. Comparing faith with love, Paul wrote: “If I have all the faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
(1 Corinthians 13.2: And if I have the gift of prophecy and understand all the sacred secrets and all knowledge, and if I have all the faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.)
Jesus emphasized the all-important quality of love for God when he answered the question: “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
(Matthew 22.35-40: And one of them, versed in the Law, tested him by asking: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” He said to him: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. The second, like it, is this: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and the Prophets.”)
Love embraces many essential Christian qualities, including faith. “Love,” the Bible states, “believes all things.” It has faith in the things God has said in his Word of truth.-
(1 Corinthians 13.4: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up,)
(1 Corinthians 13.7: It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.)
16, 17. How are faith and love highlighted together in the Scriptures, but which is the greatest, and why?
16. Because of the importance of faith and love, Christian Bible writers highlighted these qualities together multiple times, often in the same sentence or phrase. Paul urged his brothers to “put on the breastplate of faith and love.”
(1 Thessalonians 5.8: But as for us who belong to the day, let us keep our senses and put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation as a helmet)
Peter wrote: “Though you never saw [Jesus], you love him. Though you do not see him now, yet you exercise faith in him.”
(1 Peter 1.8: Though you never saw him, you love him. Though you do not see him now, yet you exercise faith in him and are greatly rejoicing with an indescribable and glorious joy,)
James asked his anointed brothers: “Did not God choose those who are poor from the world’s standpoint to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom, which he promised to those who love him?”
(James 2.5: Listen, my beloved brothers. Did not God choose those who are poor from the world’s standpoint to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom, which he promised to those who love him?)
John wrote: “This is [God’s] commandment: that we have faith in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another.”-
(1 John 3.23: Indeed, this is his commandment: that we have faith in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he gave us a commandment.)
17. Although faith is essential, aspects of this quality will pass away when we see the fulfillment of God’s promises and experience the reality of our Christian hope. But the need to grow in love for God and for our neighbor will never cease. Thus, Paul could write: “Now, however, these three remain: faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love.”-
(1 Corinthians 13.13: Now, however, these three remain: faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love.)
A POWERFUL DEMONSTRATION OF FAITH
18, 19. What powerful demonstration of faith do we see today, and who deserves the credit for this?
18. In our present day, Jehovah’s people have been exercising their faith in God’s established Kingdom. This has resulted in the development of a worldwide spiritual paradise that has over eight million inhabitants. It is a place that abounds with the fruitage of God’s spirit.
(Galatians 5.22, 23: On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.)
What a powerful demonstration of true Christian faith and love!
19. No human can take credit for this. It has been accomplished by our God. This wonderful work is bringing “fame to Jehovah, an everlasting sign that will never perish.”
(Isaiah 55.13: Instead of thornbushes the juniper tree will grow, And instead of the stinging nettle the myrtle tree will grow. And it will bring fame to Jehovah, An everlasting sign that will never perish.”)
Indeed, it is “God’s gift” that we be “saved through faith.”
(Ephesians 2.8: By this undeserved kindness you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; rather, it is God’s gift.)
Our spiritual paradise will continue to grow and to flourish until the whole earth is filled with perfect, righteous, and happy humans to the eternal praise of Jehovah’s name. May we keep on exercising our faith in Jehovah’s promises!
[End of article.]