NOT ALL MEN HAVE FAITH

NOT ALL MEN HAVE FAITH" . . . And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith." (2 Thess 3:2)

OTHER VERSIONS READ,"for not everyone has faith" (NIV), and "for faith {is} not {the portion} of all" (DARBY). Here all men are divided into two categories: those who have faith, and those who do not. Notice the gracious way in which this is stated. The Spirit does not say, "only a few have faith." Nor, indeed, does He say, "most men do not have faith." He speaks in such a manner as to accentuate the blessing of having faith at all. By these words, He also explains why men seek to oppose the Gospel and restrain those who declare it. This is the condition requiring us to pray for the rapid and effectual spread of the Word of God, and for the deliverance of those who preach it from the hands of unreasonable and wicked men. ""Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: FOR ALL MEN HAVE NOT FAITH! (2 Thess 3:1-2). It is, therefore, the lack of faith that creates an environment of opposition.

THERE ARE A NUMBER of modern day teachers who affirm that all men DO have faith – that it is a principle that is in all people by nature. This perverse doctrine says that faith is released by the individual when they choose to believe, thereby enabling them to take hold of the things of God and do great exploits. This is aggressively taught by the "health and wealth" exponents, and is more widespread than one dares to imagine. It is based upon the statement of Romans 12:3: " . . . God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." However, that text is not speaking of every man in the world, but of every man who is in Christ Jesus. As the text says, "every man who is among you [believers]." The same language, i.e., "every man," is frequently used to identify all who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 14:5; 1 Cor 3:5.8,10; 4:5; 2 Cor 9:7; Gal 6:4; Eph 4:25; Phil 2:4; 1 Pet 4:10; 1 John 3:3).

OUR TEXT DECLARES THAT "not all have faith" (NASB). There is, then, no question about faith NOT being resident in men by nature. Only a modicum of intelligence is required to confirm this is the case. Think of what is said of faith, and see for yourself that it is NOT in every mortal. The "just live by faith" (Rom 1:17). The righteousness of God is received by faith (Rom 3:22). We are "justified by faith" (Rom 3:28; 5:1). We have access to the grace of God by faith (Rom 5:2). We stand by faith (Rom 11:20; 2 Cor 1:24). We receive the promise of God by faith (Gal 3:22). We are children of God by faith (Gal 3:26). We wait for the hope of righteousness by faith (Gal 5:5). Christ dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph 3:17). If everyone has faith, then all of these benefits can be found in them – which thought is utterly insane. All men do NOT have faith.

OUR TEXT SHOWS US that those who do not have the glorious benefits mentioned – which are realized by faith – are prone to oppose the Gospel. The only difference in such people is the degree to which they oppose and reject the good news of Christ. Our text refers specifically to those who are determined to stop the spread of the Gospel. These are individuals whose unbelief has flooded their hearts, causing them to become unusually calloused toward the Gospel.

FAITH COMES FROM GOD. I never tire of being reminded that faith comes to us from God – that is why all men do not have it. Bear with me while I once again cite these marvelous passages, which were so long hidden from my understanding. "Faith comes . . . " (Rom 10:17). "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ . . . to believe on Him" (Phil 1:29). "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by [through] Him do believe in God" (1 Pet 1:20-21). "Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph 6:23). " . . . who [Apollos], when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace" (Acts 18:27). "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 1:14).

HOW COULD THE MARVELOUS BENEFITS received by faith be attributed to something that is in us by nature. How could it be possible for the natural man, by an exercise of the intellect, to appropriate such things. If such a thing is possible, in what sense has man sinned and come short of the glory of God. Why is it necessary to save men at all if they possess such an effective aptitude. It should be abundantly clear to us: "all men have not faith!"

OUR TEXT HAS URGED believers to join in prayer for the rapid spread of the Word, that it might be glorified, and that its proclaimers may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. This type of prayer is for kings and priests. It is a means by which we presently reign with Christ Jesus. This is a proper means of deploying Divine power, and we must enter aggressively into it. Do not imagine that the spread of the Word and the deliverance of those who proclaim it will all happen without our involvement. We have not been called into a Kingdom that operates in that manner. Our new hearts, spirits, and minds have been given to us for participation in the wonderful working of the Lord. Through Christ, God has graciously brought us into the effectual workings of His Kingdom, as we live together with and to Him.

– Given O. Blakely