Faith Is…
What Is Faith
Faith can mean different things to different people, depending on their upbringing, experiences or culture. I’d like to think that you have used or heard the term in conversation at some point. If you were paying attention, you’d notice that what faith is to one person, it is not to another. For a believer in Jesus Christ “faith” should means something very specific. Very direct and very effective.
Did I hear you say that this is not quite your experience with faith?
Well read on…
I like starting with summaries. If you know where this is going from the outset, you have the information up front to make an informed choice. Who wants to read a post that promises one thing and after reading for 3 minutes, you’re none the wiser. Not in here my friend, but let’s not digress. For starters, let’s provide a faith summary before we venture further.
It is the substance of things hoped for
I’m sure I’ve made all you seasoned Bible readers out there very happy!
It is a biblical principle
It is a spiritual law
It is your defence
It is your victory
Who Faith Is In
The building blocks and intricacies of faith have to be established on who faith should be in. For your faith to be effective it must be placed in the right person. Faith in yourself, faith in your faith or faith in your favourite charismatic person won’t produce in the mountain moving results that you’re looking for. I can’t improve on the very clear words spoken by Jesus Christ, so let’s just repeat them here;
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God…”
Mark 11:22 (NKJV)
For your faith to be effective, your faith must be in God.
Simple. That’s why I like the Bible. Straightforward and crystal clear!
True faith must be in God. End of…
Faith Equals Action
There is a final foundational point that must be embraced you can dig deeper into faith. That being that your actions link directly to your faith. The Word (Bible) is clear that faith is action. It’s about doing. Your actions, works or deeds demonstrate your faith or lack thereof. You can think, or say that you have faith all that you want, but faith is entirely demonstrable by the actions that follow your statements:
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.James 2:24, 26 (NKJV)
There is a definite correlation between faith and action. In fact, the Bible itself is very clear that believers who hear the Word but don’t do what it says are deceiving themselves. On the converse, those who hear the Word and do it are blessed in that which they do and this leads to another Biblical principle. Every decision you make is a choice for either life or to death and blessing or to cursing. This additional principle is the law of obedience.
Faith And Substance
Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament is designated as the “chapter of faith”. This chapter opens with a Biblical definition of faith, which I’ve provided in 4 different translations to help you glean a more rounded view of what it really means:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
Now faith is the title deed of things hoped for, the proof of things which are not being seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (Wuest)
As mentioned previously, as true faith must be in God, then our trust — belief — assurance — confidence for the things we hope for, is what must be in God. This trust or assurance speaks of a firm confidence on which you can stand. The word “substance” in the verse above comes from the Greek word “hypostasis” meaning:
Setting or placing under
That which is firm or had foundation
Theological scholars states that this word is legal in it origins, meaning “to stand under a guaranteed agreement or a legitimate claim that has to be delivered on”. Faith is God’s legal agreement. His guarantee that He is going to deliver. Faith then equates to a legal contract, promising guaranteed delivery. And all you needs to do, to see the thing to be delivered, is to not let go of the contract!
A Biblical Principle
Faith as a Biblical principle may seem like one of those things that doesn’t have to be mentioned because it’s just an unspoken fact. Something that you should already know as a matter of course, whatever your life experiences may have been. But life has taught me to never, ever assume and to make all statements and intentions as clear as possible. If the foundation of a building is compromised, the whole 75 storey sky-scrapper is in danger of topping over. Therefore once your foundational understanding is solid, you can be sure that whatever is built above ground will be able to stand.
Faith isn’t a thing of legends or myths. It isn’t a hidden mystery of the ancient monuments. Nor is it a clandestine secret of the initiated ones. It is not a serendipitous revelation of an auspicious epoch (I like words!) but it is a way of life to be grasped from the very point of becoming a new believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. There are 6 basic Biblical principles mentioned by the Apostle Paul, of which faith is the second.
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Hebrews 6:1–2 (NKJV)
Faith comes along side repentance from dead works, the doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement. The clear expectation is that you are to ground yourselves in these foundational principles and then grow on to maturity. Where understanding or an application of faith (or any of the other elementary principles) is still lacking after some time believing in Christ, the Word confirms that such a person is still in need milk. Rather than being able to eat strong meat, such a person is a baby rather than a mature. Let’s purpose to grow up quickly…and enjoy a lamb chop or two!
A Spiritual Law
Not to turn this into a physics lesson, but I’ll have you know that there are 4 fundamental forces of nature. The law of gravity albeit the most familiar is the weakest of them. The law of gravity, in simple terms, is the force that causes 2 particles to pull towards each other. It is a law that has been set from the beginning of time and it will continue until the end of the same. Whether I choose to agree with it, disagree with it, ignore it, deny it or embrace it, the law of gravity has been set and will continue to operate regardless. Take that same methodology and apply it to faith as a spiritual law. Wisdom would encourage you to learn the tenets of the law of faith so that it works for you, while you in turn position yourself to stay in step with it. Believe you me, this will result in positive change in your life.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:27–28 (NKJV)
Faith Brings Pleasure
Faith is pleasure to God. Your faith, when placed in Him, pleases Him. Now which of you wouldn’t want to please God? Exactly! Especially since anything not done in faith becomes rendered as sin. This reinforces the fact that faith that pleases God. Then you can rest assured that once you are exercising your faith, and once you are habitually walking by faith, you are pleasing God.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Romans 14:23 (NKJV)
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
Faith Defends
Life is a spiritual war. Whether you are aware of it or not, there is an on-going battle around you. There is an enemy with ability and a passion looking take you down. He is already defeated but that fact isn’t stopping him stealing, killing and destroying whatever or whoever he can. The Bible gives clear instruction that you must be aware of the accuser since he is constantly on the prowl for those who he may devour. Good news is that you have a formidable defence against the wicked one, which once employed, will render every attack of the enemy powerless. Faith is this defence:
Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Ephesians 6:16 (NKJV)
Your defence of faith will not only quench the darts of the enemy, but it enables you to resist the devil and stand.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
2 Corinthians 1:24 (NKJV)
Faith Is Your Victory
Faith isn’t only a defensive weapon. In fact, as a fundamental basic of the believer’s equipment, it provides a full array of benefits. It is undergirds the believer’s relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father. The relationship with God commences with first believing that He is. God rewards you when you diligently seek Him and put Him first before everything else in your life. The believer is already blessed being someone who believes. But that is only the beginning of the abundance in store for us as children of God. Faith in God is your victory which overcomes the world with it’s deceptions.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.
1 John 5:4 (NKJV)
Action — substance — a principle — a spiritual law — pleasure — defends — your victory. But with that all said, then why do many believers seem to lack faith? What is it that hampers or hinders faith?
Read more about developing strong faith …
