Young Adults' Group

The Faith Of Our Lord Jesus Christ

by Pastor Mark
November 02, 2023

Dealing with the problem of a false faith

Whether we are new believers or Christians for many years, one thing that we do not want to assume is that we have a true and strong faith. We tend to assume we have one, only to see ourselves falter when faced with a difficult trial or end up being caught up with the things of the world. How do we become deceived into having a false faith? The problem is that we have our own wrong definition of faith. Our faith has been misunderstood or misapplied. We end up with a false faith. The danger is that this false faith has been passed off as true. The challenge to cultivate a true and strong faith cannot be emphasised enough.

The faith of our Lord Jesus Christ

“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.” (James 2:1)

1. The Apostle James highlighted that we must have the faith of the Lord Jesus.
2. There are two ways in which we can understand the Lord’s faith.
   1. It is the faith taught by the Lord Jesus.
   2. It is the faith He exemplified.
3. The Lord Jesus’ definition of faith
   1. People can declare that they believe (John 8:30).
      • The Lord addressed those who “believed” in Him.
      • He knew that their faith was false.
   2. The Lord Jesus defined having “faith” in the following terms (John 8:31).
      • Those who abide consistently in His Word.
      • They follow Him as His disciples…learning and walking in His footsteps.
      • They know the truth…discovering the Lord and His truths.
      • Freed from sin…seeing their lives truly transformed and liberated from sin.

Let us be challenged to check whether we have a faith similar to what the Lord Jesus taught.

A faith that does not show partiality

1. The Lord Jesus taught about judging (John 7:24).
2. Not to judge based on appearance
   1. The Jews judged the Lord Jesus for healing a sick man on the Sabbath.
   2. They were prejudiced against the Lord Jesus…based on appearance.
3. To judge with righteous judgment
   1. The Lord healed the sick man out of compassion and mercy even though it was the Sabbath.
   2. This was the faith of the Lord Jesus demonstrated.
   3. He did not discriminate against this man…though he was poor and sickly.
   4. The Lord Jesus demonstrated righteous judgment in healing the sick man.

The problem of showing partiality

James defined “partiality” in two different ways. In James 2:1, he used the Greek word, “prosopolempsia” which means to “discriminate, to show favouritism”. In James 2:4, he used another word, “diakrino” which means “to separate from, avoid those discriminated against”. Both terms are closely related. Whether it is the rich or the poor, we should not show partiality in how we relate to each group, such as honouring the rich and disdaining the poor (James 2:2,3).

Let us not have any evil thoughts by showing such partiality (James 2:4). Let us be challenged to know the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and hold on to it well…to judge with righteousness judgment. Let us be challenged to develop a true and strong faith, and apply it wisely and lovingly in life and ministry.

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