Faith
2021-10-04
What Is Faith?
Faith is not some ethereal feeling as some would suggest. Faith is a real trust and reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is assurance in Christ that He saved us from sin by His vicarious death. He paid for our sin completely, and we contributed nothing to that salvation. However, it does not stop there. We trust Christ for everything, and never in our own resources.
Faith Rests on Facts
Faith rests on facts. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). There is evidence that whom we trust is trustworthy. There are fulfilled promises in the form of fulfilled prophecy. There is historical evidence that Jesus rose from the dead. We examine the facts, see His faithfulness, and as a result, trust in Him.
We also see what He has specifically done for us in our lives. This generates faith in Jesus as well. He carried us through certain trials and has shown Himself trustworthy. We look back at circumstances and wonder, how did I ever get here? The Lord carried us through those times.
Faith Comes by Hearing God’s Word
But from where does faith ultimately come? The previous things are all true, but we can know that faith is not merely human choice. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Galatians 3:2).
Hearing the Word of God generates faith in a person.
All the apologetics, knowledge, and religious experiences in the world cannot replace the Word of God. The Holy Spirit works in tandem with the Word of God.
What Shall We Do?
Throw all your trust in Christ. Whether it be the small things or the major decisions of life, commit all your cares to Him. You have died with Christ and have been born again. You must trust the Lord with every step you take. You have nothing to contribute to the Christian life. “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” (Galatians 2:20).