FAITH IN JESUS VS. THE FAITH OF JESUS
Understanding the Difference and Living the Reality
Faith is central to the Christian life.
2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
(7) For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Yet within Scripture we encounter two closely related but profoundly distinct expressions that I believe we often do not fully understand and discern as we often look at these expressions and see it as being the same which it is not:
FAITH IN JESUS AND THE FAITH OF JESUS.
Though they are connected, they are not identical. One speaks of our response to Christ while the other speaks of Christ’s own faithfulness and life expressed through us.
FAITH IN JESUS – OUR RESPONSE TO HIM
Acts 16:31 NKJV
(31) So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
John 3:16 NKJV
(16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Faith in Jesus refers to our trust, belief, and reliance upon the Person and finished work of Christ. It means trusting Him as Savior, relying on His atoning work, depending on His promises, and receiving His righteousness, and yielding to His Lordship.
Romans 5:1 NKJV
(1) Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Faith in Jesus brings justification. It is the foundation of our Christian walk.
THE FAITH OF JESUS – HIS FAITHFULNESS AND LIFE WITHIN US
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
(20) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:16 NKJV
(16) knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
The phrase points to Christ’s own faithfulness — His unwavering trust in the Father, His obedience unto death, and His covenant loyalty.
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
(2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus did not merely require faith — He demonstrated it perfectly.
THE DIFFERENCE
Faith in Jesus is our trust in Him. The faith of Jesus is His faithfulness expressed through us.
Faith in Jesus saves us. The faith of Jesus transforms us.
Galatians 2:20 NKJV
(20) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
APPLICATION IN THE BELIEVER’S LIFE
In Trials:
Luke 22:32 NKJV
(32) But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
2 Timothy 2:13 NKJV
(13) If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
In Obedience:
Philippians 2:13 NKJV
(13) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
In Prayer:
John 15:7 NKJV
(7) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
Hebrews 7:25 NKJV
(25) Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
In Endurance:
Revelation 14:12 NKJV
(12) Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
CONCLUSION
Faith in Jesus begins the journey.
The faith of Jesus sustains it.
Romans 1:17 NKJV
(17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
May we trust Him fully and allow His faithful life to be formed within us daily.