We saw in the last chapter just how important Jesus deemed faith to be when He prayed for Peter that his faith not fail during the time of his satanic sifting. Indeed, the entire New Testament reveals just how important faith is in our Christian walk.
In revealing faith, God has pushed aside all other forms of worship. This concept became evident to the apostles who wrote, “…without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (i.e. God) (Hebrews 11:6) and also “…whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23).
The new question in God’s kingdom, therefore, is not “Have you been a faithful follower of the Law?” but rather, “Do you believe?” This, then, is the new crux of the relationship between God and man.
In the New Testament, whenever we see a list of important attributes or rules of behavior, faith is always among them and is usually exalted to the primary position.
For instance, in Ephesians chapter 6:
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God...
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth...
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith...
17 And take the helmet of salvation...
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication...
This passage describes the “whole armor of God”. But take special note: “Above all, taking the shield of faith.” In other words, the primary weapon listed here is faith.
Now look in 2 Peter chapter 1:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises...
5 Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance...
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness...
8 For if these things be in you...
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind...
10 Give diligence to make your calling and election sure...
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly...
Here the apostle gives us a blueprint for building Christian character. Notice what the first item is: faith.
You start with faith, then add virtue, knowledge, and so on. Faith is the crucial foundation upon which our entire Christian experience is built. “By faith ye stand” (2 Cor. 1:24).
In 2 Cor. 8:7, Paul again begins his list with faith:
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge...
Faith is always the starting point. Everything flows from faith. Without it, it is impossible to please God.
He that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).