But without faith it is impossible to pleas him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the Gospel. For, without faith, why would I seek Him or seek to emulate Him, or keep His commandments?
Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
Faith in Christ is not a perfect knowledge of Him. Why would I require faith if I had an absolute knowledge? Faith in Christ is a hope that He not can, but will save me. Faith implies that if I keep his commandments, His grace is sufficient to save me. Faith is that spark that motivates me to righteousness.
How does one obtain Faith? Paul answers by asking How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? He starts out with the ultimate goal and works his way back. Faith is ultimately a gift from God. He must send messengers to preach the name of Jesus. There is then a seed that will begin to grow that will eventually lead us to prayer. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Another prophet, Alma, wrote if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
We are invited to experiment on his words. Jesus taught My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any many will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. The true test of any doctrine is to apply it.
Alma continues, Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves-It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown to a perfect knowledge.
After having endured the test of time, and having had to time to work itself in you, the seed, he explains, continues to grow. It grows into a tree, and as it grows, your faith increases, and eventually will bear fruit, and progress to a perfect knowledge.
However, like all real trees, this one requires constant nourishment and care otherwise it will die. And we cannot blame the seed, for we have already proven it was a good seed.
Faith implies more than simply believing. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James then continues What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Our faith is shown by our actions. The devil believes in God, and look where he is.
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