Faith Fulfills

The definition of faith is important.

1. Does faith just mean a mental acknowledgement of facts.

2. Does it require us to engage in the fulfillment of a preset process given by God.

An example of a process being fulfilled would be:

Abraham offering Isaac

Noah building the ark

In each case they were granted righteousness after the process.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon says one meaning of faith is "give credence to the words of a prophet". Thus we are justified by faith when we give credence to Christ's teaching. That includes any commandments.

If it requires us to engage in a process like Abraham offering his son, then justification by faith occurs after the process is fulfilled. In my mind faith is based upon God's word and what it sets forth.

Faith only folks are always pushing that faith is accounted at the moment of faith, and not after the completion of a process requiring faith. My main concern is when God actually accounts faith.

If God requires a process then faith requires a process. You are justified by faith when the process is fulfilled not when belief has begun.

This is Paul's usage in Romans. Justification by faith is the fulfillment of God's process as delivered in his word.

Faith could mean mental acceptance only, if God left it at that, but God in his word outlined the process.

To be justified by faith, you fulfill the process.

Gal 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 

Gal 3:27  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 

Gal 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 

Gal 3:29  And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

The process is not meant to measure moral achievement, but a relationship with God based upon faith toward him.