What is the meaning of faith? The Holy Scriptures gives us an explanation. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. And without faith it is impossible to please [God].”
(Hebrews 11:1,2,6). Hebrews chapter 11 is considered as the Biblical “hall of faith,” because it sets forth the superior way of faith.
Christian living is wholly based on faith; the Lord Jesus Christ being the perfect example, and the “founder and perfecter of our faith.” The Bible says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1,2).
Living by faith means believing and receiving what God has revealed in His Word, and in the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son, whom He sent to be our Savior. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12).
Actually, the Christian life is the out-living of the in-living Jesus Christ. In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul gave this wonderful testimony which is most noteworthy and should be put in practice by all Christians. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Faith is the key to christianity and it is a spiritual reality.
Dr Charles Stanley writes as follows: “Living the Christian life does not mean that we just try to do our best. Rather, to live the Christian life means that we allow Jesus Christ to live in and through us by faith . When we invite Christ to work in our lives and obey His commands, we become His representatives, and He works through us so others will be saved.” (The Charles F Stanley Life Principles Bible p. 1403). Living the Christian life can inspire others to come to faith in Jesus Christ
The prophet Habakkuk was a Godly man. The theme of his book is “a righteous person will live by faith.” In making the contrast between pride and faith, Habakkuk says, “Behold his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). Pride leads to “spiritual death,” because it causes a person not to receive God’s grace as presented in the gospel of which Paul writes, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). In contrast, having faith in God brings eternal life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
The following excerpt is from C H Spurgeon’s sermon No. 814 titled “Life by faith” on June 7, 1868. “In the purest spiritual sense it is true that the just shall live by faith. It is through faith that a man becomes just, for otherwise, before the law of God he is convicted of being unjust—being justified by faith he is enrolled among the just ones. It is through faith that he is at first quickened and breathes the air of heaven, for naturally he was dead in trespasses and sins. Faith is the first sure sign of the spiritual life within the human breast. He repents of sin and looks to Jesus, because he believes the testimony of God’s Son; and he believes that testimony because he has received a new life.”
Having faith in God does many good things for us. But also keep in mind that our faith will always be tested and tried. However, God remains faithful and true. Thus says the LORD, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2). Faith also means claiming God’s promises without reservations because they cannot fail.
At times God allows adverse circumstances to enter our lives. And this could be His means of strengthening our faith. Therefore, “Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). We see then that the “testing of your faith” produces positive results.
Let’s not despise adversity, which is essential to the faith life. It can also be a “learning curve” and a “refining process” for us, in that we learn “casting all your anxieties upon [God], because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Job had his share of adversity and he subsequently realized God was fully aware of his situation, hence he could declare, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (Job 23:10). God will never fail or neglect His people. Keep on trusting and believing.
Faith is trust in the God of the Scriptures
Faith is conviction of things we cannot see
Therefore, we cannot please God without faith.
(Geoff Daniels, 2020)