36 14 Habits of Highly Effective Disciples
BIBLE COMMENTS
Understanding the Context
The word “faith” (or a form of the word faith) appears in Scripture more
than 500 times. Faith is to spiritual life what breath is to physical life.
Without the sort of faith taught in Scripture we cannot know God or
please him (Hebrews 11:6). This lesson examines three different Bible
passages that can deepen our understanding of faith.
Job, Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs comprise the “Wisdom Literature” of
the Old Testament. The book of Proverbs was written to convey God’s
wisdom for successful living through a format of short sayings and illus-
trations. Proverbs 3:5–6 are the words of wisdom speaking as a person
(God). The message is clear: Faith is essential for success in life.
Paul’s letter to the Galatians challenged false teachers (Judaizers)
who came to Galatia declaring everyone must follow Jewish law to be
saved. Faith, they taught, was not enough. Paul boldly proclaimed that
the law (Judaism) could never justify anyone. Faith alone, in Jesus alone,
was Paul’s message of justification (to be made right with God in every
way).
The letter to the Ephesians was written by Paul to contrast the world
of idolatry and false religion with salvation by grace through faith in
Christ. The Ephesians believed they were a chosen city and were pro-
tected by the temple of the goddess Diana (also called Artemis) as well
as the temples in honor of three Roman emperors built there. Paul
reminded the believers they were God’s “workmanship” as compared to
the tradesmen who could only make lifeless statues; and that God had
chosen them long before Rome existed (Eph.1:4–5). (For additional help
read Acts 19:1–41.)
Learning to fully trust God in all things is essential as a Christian
disciple. We must depend on his wisdom, his provision of salvation, and
his gift of grace. Complete faith in him blesses our lives now and for
eter n it y.