Faith and Belief: The Difference
People often times erroneously equate the two concepts above. But
nothing could be farther from the truth. These two concepts may
have similarities but similarity does not mean sameness.
Understanding the difference dispels the antagonism of other so
called Christian groups who despised and write off the theology
of salvation by faith alone. When they hear: Salvation is by FAITH
ALONE they would say: Height of speculative nonsense!!!!
Those words could have been true if faith means belief. But the two
are not identical. So what is faith? And what is belief?
Faith involves the mind, the emotions and the will. Belief touches
only the mind. Faith is trusting. Belief is having mental
cognizance of a matter and assenting its truthfulness. All who have
faith has belief but not all who believe has faith.
Joh 2:23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the
feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs
which He did.
24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all
men,
Belief is knowing something about the Lord Jesus Christ while Faith
is knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. It can be confusing sometimes
because the two can be in a sense be the same. Belief and faith, in
a way, can be lumped in one word Believe. But faith goes degrees
deeper than belief. No one can have faith in Christ unless he has
first heard and believed the facts about Him.
Faith is committing and resting yourself to who Christ is and what
He has done in Calvary. While belief is merely mentally knowing
something about Him and what He has done and not committing
yourself to Him. Belief is knowing something about the truth, faith
is using that truth to your advantage and benefit. Belief is
knowing that there is a rock there to keep you safe. Faith is
hiding in that rock
2Ti 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I
am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed
and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have
committed to Him until that Day.
Practical Application
Heres the truth:
You are a sinner, helpless to save yourself from sin. Helpless to
make yourself perfectly righteous in Gods sight. Christ Jesus came
to die for your sins so that you will be perfectly righteous in
Gods eyes.
If you are born in a Christian family you might very well know
these things and believe that these things are true. But the
Question is: Have you used this truth as a balm to your helpless
soul? Have you appropriated this truth to yourself?
How do you know that you have appropriated this truth to
yourself
1) Have you stopped believing that your works could somehow make
you perfectly righteous before God?
2) Whats your motive in doing good works? Is it done with a motive
to pay for your sins and earn yourself a place in heaven? If yes,
then you have not used the truth above my friend. You merely assent
to it but not have faith in it.
When God says you are perfectly righteous in Gods eyes through
what the Lord Jesus did. FAith says: "thats enough for my soul."
Have faith in it. Dont just mentally believe it. Rest on what
Christ has done.
Sound simple? Yes, its simple because you were not the one who
died and suffered on the cross of Calvary. Its simple because its
a gift. Heaven is not a belief away. No. Its just a faith
away.
