Faith/belief/trust:The dictionary gives several definitions of the word "Faith."1. to trust in, to have confidence in.2. unquestioning belief in God, religion, etc.3. complete trust, confidence, or reliance: as children usually have faith in their parents.4. a religion, or system, of religious beliefs: as, the Catholic faith, Baptist faith, etc.Notice that in number 4 the word "IN" is not used. In number 4 the word "faith" is used to denote a label (name) for a religion.The scriptures do not teach that we are to have faith in our religious systems. The scriptures teach we are to have faith "in" God. It is easily seen that without the word "IN" after faith the word means nothing but a label (name).You cannot separate the ideas behind the words "faith," "belief" and "trust" as they are used in scriptural context. The "IN" word is used after the faith word to denote what the faith is supposed to be "IN."In reality all three words (faith/belief/trust) can be used to describe each other. In the O.T. the word "faith" can only be found in two places, one in Deuteronomy 32:20 and one in Habakkuk 2:4. The most used word in the O.T. is "trust." ---- In the N.T. the word "trust" can only be found in 18 places. The most used word in the N.T. is "faith." However, there is no context where the words are used to denote a label (name).Another fact is that the word "confidence" is defined by the word belief, faith, and trust.The word "persuaded" is defined as believing something. To be "convinced." To have "confidence."Acts 28:2424 And some were persuaded (some believed, substitution by me) by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.(NKJ)Rom 8:38-3938 For I am persuaded (convinced, substitution by me) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(NKJ)Faith/belief/trust does not describe what I have faith/belief/trust """"IN."""" None of these words mean anything but a label (name) until the word "IN" follows it.An example; Prov 3:5 ""Trust in"" the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;I don't have faith in belief, or belief in faith. I have faith/belief/trust/confidence "IN" what God has done for me/us on the cross.I don't own faith, nor belief, nor trust. They are words that describe what I do in my heart. Since it is in my heart it is not a physical work.1 Cor 13:1313 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.(NKJ)1 Tim 1:55 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and """"from sincere faith,"""(NKJ)Most all "religious" people are seeking to produce good works in their lives to earn salvation. This is a never-ending battle that is filled only with frustration and defeat. Until they accept the true gospel of Jesus Christ, they will never be able to rest in His finished work on the cross and consequently will never be able to experience the liberty of new life in Christ.Heb 4:9-109 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.(NKJ)True liberty can come only in Christ. Only when we realize that we are SECURE in Him can we cease from our own works and rest in his work on the cross. This gives us a position of complete peace with God.Richard
