Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: Faith Toward God (Part 1)

Beloved, I feel inspired to write unto you a series of letters on “The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ”. The first subject in this series is entitled “Faith Toward God”. The word “faith”, as used in Hebrews 11:1 (“Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”), is drawn from the Greek word pistis which has three primary meanings (1) belief (2) an assumption of what is being expected (3) a conviction concerning matters which have not yet been observed! In Galatians 5:22, we learn that “faith” is one of the “fruits” (characteristic traits) of “the Spirit”. In Titus 2:10, we learn that “faith” teaches us how to conduct ourselves. Without faith, we believers would not know what our God expects from us!

Precious Ones, the first step toward salvation is faith toward God. A person cannot repent unless he believes (has faith) that repentance is necessary! We are taught that no man can come to God until he believes that “(God) is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently (whole-heartedly) seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Beloved, no person will seek something if he doesn’t believe it exists! Likewise, if a person doesn’t believe that God has great blessings in store for him, he cannot receive those blessings! After repentance, the next step is to turn to God for deliverance. Jesus said it this way, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: (first) repent ye, and (then) believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). So, the question remains, “How can they believe on him of whom they have not heard?” As Paul said, “How shall they (the unbelievers) call on him in whom they have not believed?” (Romans 10:14). Beloved, the only answer to this question is that unbelievers must “hear” the Gospel. Then, they will learn of the true God (Jesus), and the result will be that their confidence will be built up in Him. The more they read in the New Testament of Jesus’ miraculous powers, the more their faith will grow and bear fruit for them! Soon after, they will begin to look to God for salvation.


Chosen Ones, one of the major problems in today’s society is that many trust in their own righteousness. This is perpetuated by doctrines of humanism, such as the New Age movement. However, we of the Church must have “Faith Toward God”. We must trust that the one and only Savior is the living God, Jesus Christ! The apostles Paul and Peter taught us the sequence of steps toward true salvation in their epistles (letters). Paul said, “ye...trusted (in God), after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed (had faith), ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13). Peter said, “God, which knoweth the hearts, ...(gave) them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us (the Jews)”! In other words, God filled those sinners with the Holy Spirit because they believed (had faith) that it was for them, as well as for the Jews.

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this...

I love you all SO very much.
In the Master’s Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy