As Christians, we often hear the phrase "just have faith." But what does it really mean to have faith? Is it just a feeling or an emotion? Or is it something more?
The Bible defines faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). This means that faith is not just a feeling, but a confident trust in God's promises and character.
Faith Is a Choice
Faith is not something that we feel, but rather something that we choose. We can choose to trust God, even when we don't feel like it. We can choose to believe His promises, even when we don't see the evidence.
In Romans 4:18-21, the apostle Paul writes about Abraham's faith: "Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God."
Abraham's faith was not based on his feelings, but on his choice to trust God's promises.
Faith Is an Action
Faith is not just a feeling or a choice, but also an action. When we have faith, we will act on it. We will take steps of obedience, even when it's hard or scary.
In James 2:14-26, the apostle James writes: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
True faith will always lead to action. When we have faith, we will take steps to obey God's commands and trust in His promises.
Faith is more than a feeling. It's a choice to trust God's promises and character, even when we don't feel like it. It's an action that leads to obedience and trust. When we have faith, we will take steps to obey God's commands and trust in His promises.
As the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we live by faith, not by sight." May we choose to live by faith, trusting in God's goodness and promises, even when we don't feel like it.
