Qualities of Faith – Why Bother?

“How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing And fools hate knowledge? (Proverbs 1:22)

In 1923, Charles Trumball released a book called Victory in Christ. In it he made the following observation: “What are the conditions of this Victorious Life? Only two, and they are very simple. Surrender and faith. “Let go, and let GOD.” Many people agree with that concept, however, that is flawed teaching. Trumball’s premise is that it is God’s “duty, to keep you from the power of sin.” Trumball misused a few scriptures in trying to get his point across.

“Let go, and let GOD” goes against the teaching of the Scriptures. For example, the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:18 that we should, “Flee immorality.” If we stand around waiting to “let God” do the work, then we are asking for trouble. Joseph showed that he understood the principle of taking responsibility for our own holiness when he fled from the sexual advances of Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:1–12).

The apostle Peter quoted the Old Testament when he wrote, “…but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” (1 Peter 1:14–16; compare with Ephesians 1:3–4). And in 2 Peter 1:5 we are instructed to supply to our faith moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. What Peter is saying is that once we have received a measure of faith from Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1; Romans 12:3), it is our responsibility to build upon it.

Someone might ask, “Why bother with all this work?” Well, we do all this because these seven qualities will make us useful and fruitful “in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” A Christian who lacks these qualities is blind or shortsighted (2 Peter 1:8–9). Furthermore, Peter says, “be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:10–11; see also James 2:14–26).