The second item in the list of first principles mentioned in Hebrews 6 is “faith toward God” (v. 1). Aside from love, faith is perhaps the most misconstrued term in the Bible. While the Greek word from which faith is translated, pistis, means belief, faith toward God is not merely limited to that. This principle includes other factors.

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him” (11:6). Faith is incumbent upon a man for salvation. It is a conviction based upon hearing. The Holy Spirit revealed the object of faith through the apostle Paul. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We must remember the first principle that is at hand: Faith Toward God. Biblical faith is not belief in anything that suits the individual. Faith comes by hearing the word of God! The doctrine of salvation by faith alone is refuted by the divine definition of faith. That doctrine teaches that the only thing necessary to reach salvation is belief in Christ. However, biblical faith “comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” In order to have saving faith it must be faith in the complete doctrine of Christ. This includes all scripture (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16), not just the four gospels. For example, if someone said they don’t believe baptism is necessary for salvation they would not have faith toward God. For 1 Peter 3:21 tells us that “baptism doth also now save us” (KJV). Before coming to an understanding of the first principle of faith toward God, you must understand the object of that faith. Having already reached the conclusion that the object of faith is “the word of God,” it is necessary to consider other factors.

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (John 8:31-32). It is apparent through the teaching of Christ that faith alone is not sufficient. The Jews Jesus was speaking to had already believed Him. The key word in Christ’s statement is “abide.” They could believe all they wanted, but unless their dwelling was in His word, it would do them no good. For after believing, then abiding, they “shall know the truth, and the truth shall make (them) free.” In other words, we must believe what Jesus says will save us, and then do whatever it is He says. A child can believe his mother when she says, “if you clean your room I will take you out for ice cream,” but if he does not clean his room, he cannot expect to get ice cream. God makes promises to us through His word. We must have faith He will keep the promises, and do what He says to obtain the promises.

“Then He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace’” (Luke 7:50). Indeed, faith saves us. However, it is a living faith that saves us. James 2 thoroughly separates dead faith from living faith. James illustrates dead faith with a hypothetical situation. “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” (James 2:15-16). Sound logic is seen in this hypothetical. The only one capable of making change without the use of physical aid is the creator of all things. “Then God said…and it was so.” Faith is necessary, for we would not do something if we didn’t believe it would make a difference. “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17).

Faith can only be “toward God” if it is accompanied by works. For “someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Consider James’ example of Abraham. “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (James 2:23). What did Abraham believe? In Genesis 15, God told Abraham “one who will come from your own body shall be your heir” (v. 4). A promise of great decedents was made to Abraham. “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:20-21). Abraham had unwavering faith that, despite him and Sarah’s age, they would be able to conceive and bear a child. However, Abraham’s righteousness and justification was not consummated until he “offered up his only begotten son” (Hebrews 11:17). This truth draws attention back to the original account in Genesis 22 when he “took the knife to slay his son” (v. 10) and the Angel of the Lord stopped him and said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me” (v. 12). Although Abraham had faith in God that Isaac was the heir of the promise, it was not until he offered him up that his faith was fully displayed.

The word of God is multi-faceted, having several commands we must obey. Faith toward God is one of them. Biblical faith is a faith that is alive and is more than mere belief. Faith toward God is a working faith. For “he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Romans 10:17; James 1:22).