Definition of Faith
Faith is defined as a unrestrained belief in or reliance on something that cannot be seen or proven. The Bible talks about faith and what it means in many ways. The Bible begins with the book of Genesis that tells about the creation of the world. The first human beings, who were Adam and Eve, had faith in God, which enabled them to do things that no one else had done before. In the book of Exodus, the people of Israel are said to have shown faith when God told them to build an ark to carry them across the Red Sea. They showed faith by believing in something that had not happened before, and trusting God to provide them with a safe passage.
The New Testament
In the New Testament, two major books are dedicated to the discussion of faith; the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In the Gospels, Jesus taught that faith is a gift from God and the more one believes the more they will experience God’s blessings. Jesus said that faith is not simply a matter of believing, but also a matter of action; faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). Jesus discussed the importance of faith in healing, casting out demons and in accomplishing good works. He also discussed the importance of faith for salvation (John 3:16).
Hebrews 11
The book of Hebrews is a letter written to inform the hearers of the power of faith. In Hebrews 11, it talks about some great examples of faith from the bible such as Noah, Abraham and Sarah, and Moses. The chapter begins by saying “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). It goes on to expand on this concept by talking about how faith enables us to think, speak, and act in ways that are contrary to our human understanding, but are what God calls us to do. It provides many stories to further explain how faith serves as an expression of trust in God and is an example of how we should live.
Faith and Life
The Bible says that faith is essential to living a life that is pleasing to God. The book of James reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 2:26) and that we must have faith in order to do what is right in the sight of God (James 1:22). One example of living by faith is seen in the story of Abraham. As we read in Hebrews 11:8, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” This verse shows us that faith requires us to have the courage to venture into the unknown and to trust in God’s promises.
Faith and Salvation
The Bible says that faith is what saves us from eternal death. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” This verse is saying that salvation is a free gift that is given to us by God, not something that we can earn by good works. It is only through faith in Jesus Christ, that we receive the Salvation that He offers.
Taking a Stand in Faith
What does the Bible say about having faith? It says to take a stand and trust in God, even when it is difficult. The Bible stories of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are all examples of people who chose to take a stand for their faith and trusted God to take care of them. We too, can take a stand in faith and trust that God will take care of us.
Practicing Faith in Our Daily Lives
The Bible teaches that faith is expressed through action and obedience to God’s commands. One way to put faith into practice is through prayer. We are taught to come to God in faith and to trust that His will be done in our lives. It is also through prayer that we ask for strength, guidance, and peace in our daily lives. We can also practice faith by living by the Golden Rule to treat others with kindness, compassion, and respect.
The Reward of Faith
The Bible says that those who put their faith in God will be rewarded. Matthew 7:7-8 says: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” The Bible reminds us that it is God’s will to reward us for our faith if we continue to seek Him. He promises to never abandon us in our times of need, but to provide us with strength, guidance, and protection.
Option of Faith
The Bible teaches that faith is a choice. We can choose to have total trust in God, or we can choose not to. The book of Deuteronomy explains the consequences of our choices. In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, God says: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days.” God wants us to choose faith and obedience to Him so that we can enjoy the life He has given us.
Conclusion of Faith
The Bible is clear on what faith is, and how it is to be practiced in our daily lives. In summary, faith is trusting and relying on God, even when life may not make sense. It is a gift from God, and through faith, we can choose to live a life that is pleasing to Him. The reward of faith is that God promises to give us all the strength, protection and guidance we need in our journey of faith.
