The Basic Elements of Faith

What is a Christian?

June 19, 1988 PM

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Intro: There are hundreds of religions in our world today; many of them followed after by people who are undoubtedly as sincere as we Christians.

What distinguishes Christian faith from other ways? Simply to say, "It is so because it is so" may satisfy some people. But it doesn't satisfy me. What is the living difference? How do we know that we serve the same God that answered the prayer of Elijah by fire?

Here in 2 Corinthians 5 are some aspects of the Christian faith which I believe are unique to Christianity. Each of these aspects of our faith is introduced by the word "therefore" in the New American Standard Version (in the King James Version the last "therefore" is a "now then."):

I. SAVING FAITH BEGINS WITH A CONFIDENCE THAT IS BASED ON THE RESURRECTION

(verse 6) "Therefore WE ARE ALWAYS CONFIDENT, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord."

Verses 4:14 ("knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus...") and 5:1 ("For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.") are the antecedents of this first 'therefore.'

Christ's resurrection was absolutely the thing that drove the early church. There was a literal confidence that

(1) Jesus rose bodily from the dead; and that (2) Jesus' followers would have eternal life with Him.

Every time another man or woman of faith dies there is a testimony to this confidence. We sorrow; but not as those who do not have this confidence.

II. THIS CONFIDENCE GROWS INTO CONVICTION THAT BEGETS CONVICTION

(11) "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men

... Verse 5:10 ( "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.") is the antecedent to this 'therefore.'

Our faith is not an arrogant know-it-all attitude on every subject; such a bellicose attitude will turn genuine seekers off.

But we come to the certainty that (2) we shall stand before Christ. His laws are understandable, and they have never been repealed. We shall give an account to Him, of how we have responded to His laws.

And if we really believe that, we shall have a conviction that makes our sharing of the gospel persuasive.

True evangelicals are growing in every way because they really believe that they are accountable to God.

III. CONVICTION LEADS TO CONVERSION THAT REJECTS THE COUNTERFEIT

(17) "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creation!" 5:14 ("For the love of Christ constrains us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;") is the antecedent. The love of God controls us. Christ died for US!

The standard for conversion, the norm, is (v 17) a new creation. God indwelling human personality by a supernatural work, a miracle of grace (justification/ regeneration/ adoption).

The temptation is to judge strictly by what we see; we want "success" by the accepted standards of the day and culture. Paul tells us: we don't know anyone spiritually this way; even if we knew Jesus Christ (only) in the flesh it "wouldn't count."

We have the privilege of knowing Jesus Christ in just as personal and as intimate a way as the disciples did on the road to Emmaus!

IV. OUR FAITH BRINGS US A COMMISSION THAT BRINGS DIGNITY AND WORTH

(20)"Now then WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST" Verse 18 ("Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation ...") is the antecedent: God has given us all these things; He has called us to be ambassadors!"

Our worth is established by His love for us; before we do anything we are precious in His sight. He loves us. We are ambassadors! Important! But, remember, we are called to be servants; to be like our Master in spirit.

Conclusion:

  1. These, then, are the vital elements, or parts of our faith: God grants us confidence, and conviction; as we respond there comes conversion and commission.
  2. Faith is COMPLEX! Faith has a way of growing and developing and changing for the better as we walk along. It never gets easier, and never gets monotonous, if we keep up the daily walk with Jesus.

    [But look at faith with me in another way as we come to the close of another Lord's Day:]

  3. FAITH IS VERY SIMPLE!

    It is either saying "YES" or saying "NO" to Jesus!

    Where are you just now with Jesus?

    Where are you in your actions? [Anything that you are doing a source of irritation? ... of condemnation? ... of excessive rationalization?

    Where are you in your attitudes? Are you forgiven? Are you forgiving?

  4. Salvation is not a matter of a coherent, cohesive "plan;" (it may well be that) ... but salvation first of all is a One-on-one relationship of love and trust with Jesus Christ! It is hearing HIM say: "Leave your way, and come, follow Me!"

#332 Follow, I Will Follow Thee