Signs of Faith

Is faith a state of mind? Something that takes place only in your thoughts... If I have faith does God do anything... does He ever reach out to me with a sign? Some way to let me know its all real and that He is indeed working with me?

Romans 4:11 Abram was considered righteous [acceptable] before God because he believed God was who He said He was and that God could/would do what He said. But, all that could (theoretically) all be taking place within Abram's mind. Here in Romans we are told God gave Abram a sign.

Other than serving as a sign, circumcision had no practical, or moral purpose. It was offered to Abram, to mark his life (and descendants) as set apart. 

A sign testifying, and reminding Abram, in the flesh, that this is all real... I am working with you... I am the Creator and Master of all, I care all of them, but right now, I am working with you in a way that is special and unique from all the other people around you.

Note: in modern times we have discovered that removal of the male foreskin does decrease risk of infection from HIV and UTIs. However, it’s a very small effect, and plenty of societies who do not circumcise have long healthy lifespans, some even longer than our own.

In Genesis, circumcision is not referred to as a sign. That comes from Paul's inspired interpretation in Romans 4.

The word sign is found in 77 times in the new testment. Mostly in the gospels and Acts (61), a smattering (11) in the epistles, then (7) in Revelation. In 74 of the 77 times found it is used to indicate either a miracle, or a fulfillment of prophecy... present or future.

In those cases of miracles... the miracle is performed (as a sign) to show the power that is at work. So, Jesus performs miracles as signs that the power of God is at work in Him. Likewise, the apostles and representatives of the Church perform miracles as signs it was the power of God at work among them. Thus, backing up their teaching.

In those cases of prophecy... the fulfillment of a prophecy is also meant to indicate that the power of God is at work.

Does the lack of miracles in the present day Church mean we are not representing the power of God at work in the world? IE. God does not back up our teaching... Consider this:

John 10:41 Jesus speaks highly of John the baptist... saying "among men and women, none has arisen greater than John". Would you rather be known as a miracle worker or a person considered great because what they taught was true?

We see SIGNS used as something to indicate the power at work behind the events taking place. The epistles and Revelation use it this way, indicating the power of God at work.

An interesting exception is 2 Thessalonians 3:17 -- We understand that Paul has a secretary write up his letters because his eyesight was so bad. But Paul wants the people to know the letter is from him (because they also had received letters from fraudsters using his name falsely). So, here Paul writes the last few sentences in his own handwriting and probably puts his signature on the letter... as a SIGN to the recipients... so they know the message comes from Paul.

The pattern is the same even though it is not used to point to the power of God. It shows the function of signs as a badge of identity, or origin. The usage here also shows that this is how Paul understood the use of the word... a mark of authenticity... an indication of the source. And in using the word in Romans 4:11 he considers Abram's circumcision as this sort of sign.

A sign given TO Abram... FROM God

Under the new covenant we do not have circumcision... we are not living in an age of miracles... we might yet live through a time where prophecies are fulfilled, but it hasn't happened yet... what might you [or the Church as a whole] have as a sign?

Something given to us by God to show us as set apart. Something that is not the beginning of faith... but is a sign of the faith that is already at work in us.

The new covenant does not include circumcision, but it does include baptism Colossians 2:9-12.

You could think of baptism in a similar way to what is described in Romans 4:11.

Which comes first baptism or faith? Surely a person has to come to the point where they believe God before they subject themself to this procedure. It goes against every natural impulse for me to submit myself to having someone hold me down under water. Without the understanding imparted by God's word most people would have to be forcibly submerged while they kick and scream for help.

Something Abram's circumcision gave him... that baptism does not give you... is a constant reminder in the material realm that he had entered into a special relationship with the redeemer and creator. Abram and his descendants would be always see that physical mark in the flesh...

You might be able to think back and remember your baptism fondly... but it is not going to continue to come up before you as a constant reminder.

Baptism also does not have the communal nature of the circumcision. ALL Abram's people, and his descendants (eg. Israel) were to do this together. Whereas baptism is of a more personal nature.

We do have a sign of a special relationship with God. One that we carry with us the rest of our life, and one we do together. The 7th day Sabbath is such a sign.

Exodus 31:13-17 God certainly thinks of His Sabbath as a form of sign.

Continued observance of this command would set Israel apart from other nations. When they stopped honoring that sign they became like any of the other nations around them.... suffering the same fate as the surrounding nations. Whereas circumcision is specifically replaced with baptism under the new administration of the new covenant... The Sabbath remains.

Hebrews 4:9 the Sabbath continues to serve it purpose as a sign for the members of the new covenant. It serves no practical or moral purpose other than that of a sign. People can talk about the benefits of resting one day out of seven.... but no one rests on the 7th day unless they have a certain type of faith.

I believe that when you let go of the 7th day you become just like everyone else. When you substitute the first day of the week, or the fifth, you are following the way of all flesh. Making up our own rules instead of working with what God has given.

Many criticize observance of the 7th day Sabbath as a form of substituting works in the place of saving faith. But lets apply the reasoning Paul used with Abram. Remember that Paul is stating his case to a congregation that was partly Gentiles, and partly Jews. A situation comparable to our own circumstances of speaking to a congregation that is partly new converts and partly people who have grown up with this all their lives.

Romans 4:10-11 from the Gentile (or new convert) perspective which comes first... observing the Sabbath, or faith? Surely, a gentile (or new convert) has to have faith first. Then. they might begin observing the seventh day Sabbath.

Hebrews 11:6 my own personal experience is the new convert route. I did not rest on the seventh day because it made sense. I began to do it because I had the beginnings of faith... I first had to come to believe God was real, and that His word mattered. And because His word mattered, I wanted to know it and do it. And that is more important to me than man-made traditions.

Note: if you have any knowledge of Christian history you have to admit... observance of Sunday (the first day of the week, not the seventh) is man-made (like synthetic meat). Do people have the authority to make such a change? That's a different question.

I could have found rest on the first day... I could have found fellowship on the first day... I could have found instruction on the first day... I would have simply been like everyone else, doing what everyone else does, mostly as a matter of person convenience, simplicity, and ease.

I recognize that the equation is different for someone who grew up observing the Sabbath. Compelled by their parents their physical observance appears to come before saving faith. But surely a young person has to reach a point where they come of age, no longer under the authority of their parent, and I don't have to do this anymore. And they probably won't unless they have faith. (perhaps a subject some of our other speakers could address better than me).

As a new convert, the seventh day Sabbath didn't make any sense to me except as a sign of faith... now its a part of my life serving as a constant reminder ... given to me by God through His word... something to do... a reminder of the faith that brought us together.

God knew Abraham's heart, He knew Abraham's  thoughts, he knew Abraham had faith...

Genesis 22:13 now I know, because you have done what I said.