
Faith is a strong belief in something or someone, especially without needing to see or experience tangible proof. In the context of religion, faith is a belief in a higher power, such as God, and the teachings of a particular religion. For Christians, faith in God and Jesus Christ is essential to their spiritual lives and is considered a gift from God.
The Bible defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). This means that faith gives substance to our hopes and assures us of things we cannot see with our physical eyes.
Faith is not just about spiritual salvation but also has practical implications for everyday life. It can provide strength and endurance during difficult times, guide our actions and decisions, and help us overcome fear and doubt.
For Christians, faith in God and Jesus Christ is a fundamental aspect of their spiritual lives and is considered a gift from God.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Faith is a principle of action and power | "The just shall live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:4) |
Faith is assurance from the Spirit | "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7) |
Faith is a strong confidence in Jesus Christ | "We are saved by faith" |
Faith is a shield | "Taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one" (Ephesians 6:16) |
Faith is a source of strength | "I can do all things through Christ" (Philippians 4:13) |
Faith is a source of hope | Faith brings us the power of the Lord, which—among other things—is manifested by a hope of good things to come |
Faith is a source of endurance | "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation" (Philippians 4:12) |
Faith is a source of miracles | "Miracles that confirm our faith" |
Faith is a source of divine protection | "Divine protection in spiritual and temporal matters" |
Faith is a source of grace | "We are not saved by faith. We are saved by GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense). But faith is the funnel through which the grace reaches us." |
What You'll Learn
Faith will defend you
The Bible tells us that faith is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). It is this faith that will be our "shield", as described in Ephesians 6:16: "Take up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one".
The shield was the first line of defence for a Roman soldier, and in the same way, our faith is our first defence against the attacks of the devil. We are told that the devil "walks about seeking whom he may devour", so we need to be vigilant and ensure we are protected by our faith.
Faith is an assurance of the Spirit, gained through learning and moving us to act and follow the example of Jesus. It is a principle of action and power. It is also a choice, a decision to trust in God and His promises, even when we cannot see the outcome.
We see in the Bible that Jesus often noticed people's faith and responded to it. For example, in Matthew 15, a Gentile woman had faith that Jesus could heal her sick daughter, and Jesus, moved by her faith, healed her. In another instance, Peter had faith to walk on water towards Jesus, but when he took his eyes off Jesus and onto the wind and waves, he began to sink.
Faith is a choice to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and it is this faith that will defend us and protect us from the attacks of the enemy. It is also what will help us endure the challenges and trials of life.
We can choose to stand firm in our faith, knowing that God is faithful and will give us the strength to endure.
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Faith will help provide for you
Faith is a strong confidence in Jesus Christ. It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It is what makes the abstract become the physically tangible. Faith is what, in a court of law, will prove the case, since it is the evidence demanded for a verdict of things that we cannot see.
God will provide for your needs and safety. He will give you the strength to endure the most difficult of life's challenges. He will meet all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
The Bible says, "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). This means that God will provide for you financially, emotionally, and spiritually. He will give you the strength to face life's challenges and the grace to endure them.
Faith is also a principle of action and power. It is an assurance of the Spirit gained through learning that moves us to act and follow the example of the Savior, even through times of sacrifice and trial. Faith brings the power of the Lord, which is manifested in a hope of good things to come, miracles that confirm our faith, and divine protection in spiritual and temporal matters.
The Bible says, "But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). This means that God will provide for all your needs, not just some. He will give you the strength to face life's challenges and the grace to endure them. He will also provide for your eternal needs through the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.
So, have strong confidence in Jesus Christ, and He will help provide for you.
Faith will strengthen you during trials
Faith is a central tenet of Christianity, and it is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Faith is what moves mountains, and it is what will strengthen you during trials.
The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all this through him who gives me strength". Here, Paul is referring to the Lord Jesus, who is all-powerful. Paul faced many trials and tribulations, yet he persevered because he could "do all things through [Jesus's] strength".
In 2 Corinthians 5:7, it is written, "We walk by faith, not by sight". This means that we should not be led by our physical senses, but by our faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is what will defend you against the attacks of the devil, who "walks about [seeking] whom he may devour".
In Ephesians 6:16, we are told to take up the "shield of faith", which will enable us to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one". Faith is a powerful weapon that can protect us from the schemes and plots of our enemy. It is also what moves God to act on our behalf. In Mark 2:5, we see an example of this: "When Jesus saw [his friends'] faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'"
During trials, it is important to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and not on our circumstances. This will help to keep our faith strong. We should also remember that God is always with us, even during the most difficult times. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and He will give us the strength to endure any hardship.
Additionally, faith is what cements our relationship with God and provides a firm foundation for our lives. It is through faith that we receive God's grace and salvation. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
So, when facing trials and difficulties, remember to stand firm in your faith. Pray and seek God's guidance, knowing that He has a reason for everything and that He always has your best interest at heart. Trust that He will provide for your needs and protect you from harm. Allow your faith to grow by acting on it, and let it be a testimony to others of God's goodness and power.
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Faith will encourage others
Faith is an essential part of life, not just Christianity. It is defined as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Unshakeable faith is noticeable, and it can encourage others to be firm in their faith too.
Colossians 1:3-4 says, "We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints." It is easier to stay committed to faith in God when you see others doing the same. Choose to stand strong in your faith and inspire others to do the same!
Timothy was a young pastor who was being mentored by the Apostle Paul. Paul states in 2 Timothy 1:5, "When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also." When our faith is strong and true, it can be passed on to others, including our family and friends, making a difference in their lives as well.
Faith Encourages Others to Have Faith
Having strong faith and securely attaching oneself to "the rock of our Redeemer" can help one safely climb the gospel path, overcome every challenge of mortality, and return to the majestic presence of our Heavenly Father. All things are fulfilled by faith. Faith is both a principle of action and power. It is an assurance of the Spirit gained through learning that moves us to follow the example of the Savior and prayerfully keep His commandments, even through times of sacrifice and trial.
Faith Encourages Others to Endure
The life of Ann Rowley, a pioneer woman in the early days of the Church, demonstrates how exercising faith impacts our lives for good. A widow from England, Sister Rowley exercised her faith to answer the prophet's call to gather in Zion. She was a member of the Willie handcart company, which encountered deep snowdrifts along the trail in the fall of 1856. They had reached a point in the trek where her seven children were literally starving. She prayed to God for help and, because of her faith, she was filled with hope and miraculously provided with food for her family.
Faith Encourages Others to Act
Faith is technically a noun, but in reality, it is a verb—a call to action. It is what makes the abstract become physically tangible. It is what, in a court of law, will prove the case since it is the evidence demanded for a verdict on things we cannot see.
Faith Encourages Others to Pray
We pray by faith. We do not see the One to whom we speak and cannot even prove He is there. Yet, day by day, over many years, we pull aside and talk to Him, telling Him our deepest thoughts and cares. We believe that He is there, that He hears, cares, and will answer. We wait by faith. After giving Him our prayers, we wait for the answer. Otherwise, if we are not going to stand by and wait, there is no point in asking.
Faith Encourages Others to Believe and Trust in God
Christians, in the truest sense of the word, believe that God is the only and almighty creator and master of the universe. They believe that Jesus is God's son and that He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. They believe that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is given to us when we accept Jesus as our Savior. They live their lives according to scripture, seek God's will and direction, and follow the direction He gives. They believe and trust in God's provision, comfort, protection, leadership, and wisdom in all things.
Faith Encourages Others to Forgive
Forgiveness is a powerful way to demonstrate faith and encourage others to do the same. Forgiving those who have hurt us or our family can be challenging, but it is possible through faith and trust in God.
Faith Encourages Others to Face Challenges
Faith will help us <
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Faith will help save you
Faith is an essential part of life, not just in Christianity. Faith is defined as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). It is what makes the abstract become physically tangible. Faith is what, in a court of law, will prove the case, as it is the evidence demanded for a verdict of things that we cannot see.
Faith will defend you. It is like a shield that will protect you from the fiery darts of the wicked one. It is a principle of action and power. It is an assurance of the Spirit that moves us to act and follow the example of the savior.
Faith will help provide for you. If we grow close to God and put our trust and faith in Him, He will not forsake us.
Faith will cement you. It is only by faith in God that we can obtain a firm foundation. Any other source is on shaky ground and is not reliable.
Faith will add punch to your prayers. God will hear us if we ask anything according to His will.
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Frequently asked questions
Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is what moves God to act on our behalf.
We can strengthen our faith by reading the Bible, praying, and surrounding ourselves with other faithful believers.
Faith impacts every area of our lives, from our relationships and finances to our health and daily living. It helps us to make decisions, trust God's provision, and endure trials.
Some examples of living by faith include tithing, forgiving others, praying for guidance, and obeying God's commands, even when it is difficult.