What is faith? An online dictionary states that a basic definition of faith is the complete trust or confidence in a person or something. Faith is fervent belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based upon spiritual apprehension rather than proof. Faith is to believe in and have assurance of something.
Remember how it felt as a child waiting for a birthday or some other special day was about to occur, being excited and anxious, knowing that there would be gifts or other special treats? In any case, a few things would come as a shock. Birthday celebrations consolidate affirmation and expectation, thus so does faith. Faith is the conviction dependent on previous experience that God's new amazements will doubtlessly be our own.
Two words depict our confidence: certainty and confidence. These two characteristics need a solid start and finishing point. The starting place of faith is trusting in God's person, he is who he says he is. The endpoint is trusting in the promises of God, he will do what he says he will do. At the point when we accept that God will satisfy his promises despite the fact that we do not see those promises appearing yet, we show genuine faith (John 20:24-31).
God called the universe into reality from nothing; he pronounced that it was to be, and it was. Our confidence is in the God who made the whole universe by his promise. God's assertion has wonderful power. When he talks, do we tune in and react? How could we better set ourselves up to react to his Word?
Faith is God centered, not man centered.
Man centered faith:
The chair that I sit in will support me. When I put my key into the ignition, my car will start. When I flip the switch, the lights in my room will come on. This pen that I am about to use will write. Man centered faith is expecting that certain worldly things will work or will happen.
God centered faith:
God centered faith is the total dependence on God and a willingness to do his will. God centered faith is complete, humble obedience to do what he says for us to do. The amount of faith is not as important as having the right kind of faith.
The Author of Faith:
• Hebrews 12:2, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
There is Saving Faith:
• Ephesians 2:8, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
There is Sanctifying Faith:
• Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
There is Defensive Faith:
• Ephesians 6:16, Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
There is the Gift of Faith:
• 1 Corinthians 12:9, To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit.
There is the Fruit of Faith:
• Galatians 5:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.
There is a Level of Faith:
• Romans 10:17, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The more we hear God’s Word, the more our faith should increase.
There is Increased Faith:
• Matthew 17:20, And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Faith results in good works:
• James 2:14, What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?
• James 2:17, Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
• James 2:18, Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, I will shew thee my faith by my works.
• James 2:20, But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
• James 2:26, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
There are the Works of Faith:
• Acts 6:8, And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles, among the people.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:11, Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power.
Faith results in God’s Power. A powerless Christian is a defeated Christian who has little or no faith. Our faith can often be proved through persecution.
• Matthew 5:11-12, Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Do you ever feel stagnant in your faith?
• Psalms 51:12, Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Faith comes alive when we apply scripture.
• Psalms 119:125, I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
What motivates your faith, fear, or the love for God? Faith eliminates pride. Faith exalts what God has done. Faith is based on our relationship with God, not our performance for God.
• 1 Timothy 6:12, Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
