
Faith is a complex concept that plays a significant role in the lives of many, especially those of a religious persuasion. While faith is often associated with religion, it can also be examined through a secular lens, exploring the nuances of belief, trust, and conviction.
In the Christian faith, for instance, the Bible makes references to various types and levels of faith, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of this abstract concept. From little faith to great faith, and even divine faith, these distinctions highlight the different ways in which individuals connect with and express their beliefs.
The exploration of faith extends beyond Christianity, as people from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds navigate their understanding of faith and its role in their lives. Whether it be faith in a higher power, faith in oneself, or faith in a particular ideology, the concept of faith is a universal thread that ties together human experiences.
As individuals, our relationship with faith is deeply personal and often evolves over time. It can be a source of strength, comfort, and purpose, shaping our actions, decisions, and outlook on life. However, faith can also be a complex and challenging topic, leading to questions, doubts, and introspection.
In the following paragraphs, we will delve into the different kinds of faith, examining their nuances and how they manifest in our lives. We will explore faith through a religious lens, drawing from sacred texts, and also consider secular perspectives, highlighting the diverse ways in which faith influences and inspires humanity.
What You'll Learn
Little faith
"Little faith" is a term used in the Bible to refer to a lack of faith in Jesus' power to perform miracles. The phrase is often used to rebuke the disciples of Christ for doubting his divinity and power.
For example, in Matthew 8:25-26, the disciples wake Jesus from sleep during a storm, crying out for help. Jesus rebukes them, asking: "Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith?".
Another instance is in Matthew 14:31, where Jesus stretches out his hand to catch a disciple who is doubting, and says: "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?".
In a secular context, the phrase can be used humorously to express doubt about someone's abilities.
Having little faith can be a result of a lack of understanding of God's word, as seen in the Bible verse Matthew 16:8: "O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?".
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Great faith
The Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his paralysed servant, who was "suffering terribly" (Matthew 8:6). When Jesus asked if he should go and heal him, the centurion replied:
> "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it" (verses 8-9).
Jesus was amazed at the centurion’s response and mentioned his "great faith" (Matthew 8:10). The Canaanite woman, whose daughter Jesus healed, also demonstrated great faith (Matthew 15:22-28). In both stories, Jesus observed their "great faith" rather than attributing his decision to heal them to the amount of faith they had.
Biblical scholars agree that Jesus highlighted the faith of these non-Jewish individuals to encourage his Jewish audience to have similar faith in him and to challenge the common Jewish belief that God’s grace did not extend to the Gentiles.
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Weak faith
Romans 4:19 reads: "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb". This highlights the importance of not letting one's circumstances or sensory perceptions get in the way of faith.
Another characteristic of weak faith is a lack of understanding of God's word. This can be remedied by hearing, listening to, or reading more of God's teachings. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God".
> "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
It is important to note that weak faith should not lead to quarrels or disputes over doubtful things. Romans 14:1-3 says, "Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables".
Finally, even weak faith is a gift from God and can be strengthened by recognising this and inquiring within oneself if they gladly want to believe and desire a stronger faith.
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Strong faith
In summary, strong faith is characterised by unwavering trust in God, a refusal to waver or doubt, active obedience to God's Word, and a bold expectation of God's power and faithfulness.
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Common faith
God wants to move Christians from common faith to contending faith. This is referenced in Jude 1:3: "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."
The Bible also refers to common faith as "mutual faith" in Romans 1:12: "That is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me."
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Frequently asked questions
The Bible mentions several types of faith, including little faith, great faith, weak faith, strong faith, active faith, divine faith, no faith, common faith, temporary faith, growing faith, rich faith, perfect faith, unfeigned faith, pure faith, shipwrecked faith, overcoming faith, victorious faith, and holy faith.
Little faith puts a limitation on what the Lord can do, often hindered by fear. Great faith, on the other hand, responds to the spoken word, understands the authority and power of God, and is fearless.
Genuine faith is sincere and real, solid and unchanging. It is not fake or temporary. It is also passed down from generation to generation, from grandparents to parents to children.
Faith comes from hearing the message about Christ, so the key to growing faith is to increase our knowledge of Christ and His teachings. This can be done through daily prayer, exercising our faith, meditating on Scripture, and putting our faith into action.