Keaki Bryant
Faith in God is a complex and deeply personal topic, one that can leave Christians speechless when asked to explain it. It is often easier to start by explaining what one is not, but this can be unhelpful and confusing. Progressive Christians, for example, may want to distance themselves from fundamentalist or homophobic interpretations of Christianity. However, this can inadvertently reinforce the idea that these interpretations are the norm.
Faith in God can be described as taking God at His word and obeying His commands, even when it seems impossible. It is about trusting in God's plan and believing that He loves us unconditionally. It is about spreading the story of resurrection and love to those who need it most and finding healing and connection in one's faith. It is also about living a godly life and being a good example of Christian values, which can be one of the best ways to share one's faith with others. Ultimately, faith in God is a deeply individual experience that can be challenging to explain, but it is a source of comfort, hope, and strength for many.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Faith is not a feeling | Faith is taking God at His word |
| Faith is believing the impossible | Faith is trusting God's promises |
| Faith is releasing control to God | Faith is choosing to believe God's word over your feelings |
What You'll Learn
Faith is taking God at his word
Faith is a challenging concept to explain, and many Christians struggle to find the words to express their beliefs. However, faith can be understood as taking God at His word. This means believing in God's promises and obeying His commands, even when faced with uncertainty or difficult circumstances.
The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who demonstrated great faith by taking God at His word. In Luke 7, a centurion showed his faith by believing that Jesus could heal his servant with just a word. Similarly, in Hebrews 11, several individuals, including Noah and Abraham, are remembered for their faith because they took God at His word and obeyed, regardless of their circumstances or feelings.
On the other hand, a lack of faith can be seen in Mark 4, where the disciples initially took Jesus at His word when He instructed them to cross the sea, but their faith wavered when a storm arose, and they became fearful.
Faith in God often requires us to believe in the impossible and anticipate infinite and eternal answers. For example, Sarah became pregnant at 90, and Mary, a virgin, conceived through the Holy Spirit, giving birth to Jesus.
Inviting Jesus into our lives and choosing to release control to Him deepens our faith and brings peace and security. We can have faith that God loves us and has a plan for us, even when the road ahead seems uncertain.
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Faith is a gift from God
The Bible also provides other examples of faith being a gift from God. Acts 3:16 speaks of "the faith which comes through Him." Philippians 1:29 says, "To you it has been granted for Christ's sake... to believe in Him." And in 2 Peter 1:1, Peter refers to believers as "those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours."
The concept of faith as a gift from God is further reinforced by the understanding that without God's intervention, people would be spiritually dead and unable to believe. As Romans 3:11 states, "There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God." It is only through God's mercy and the gift of faith that people can understand and approach the Savior.
Additionally, the enduring nature of faith also points to it being a divine gift. Faith is not a momentary act of believing but a living, enduring trust in God. The Bible assures believers that the faith God gives will endure, as stated in Hebrews 3:14: "We have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast to the end."
In conclusion, faith is a gift from God, and this understanding is central to Christian theology. It humbles believers and gives glory to God, recognizing that salvation is not something humans can earn or achieve on their own but is a gracious gift from a loving God.
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Faith is believing in the impossible
Faith is often described as a belief in the impossible. This is because faith in God requires us to believe in the impossible. For example, in the Bible, Sarah and Mary both experienced impossible circumstances. At 90 years old, Sarah, who was barren, became pregnant, and the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, through whom the Saviour of mankind entered the world.
Faith in God is not just about believing in the impossible, it is also about trusting in God's plan for us. We are so precious to God that His highest thoughts are about us. Knowing that God is our loving Heavenly Father makes it easier to release control of our lives to Him.
However, having faith in God is not always easy. There will be times when the road ahead seems uncertain, and the answers we seek are elusive. During these times, our faith may waver. But we must remember that God's ways are incomprehensible to us, and that we must trust in Him and His plan, even when we don't understand.
Ultimately, faith in God is about believing in the impossible, but it is also about having hope and finding peace in God's infinite and eternal love for us. It is about inviting Jesus into our lives and choosing to release control to Him, knowing that His ways are far better than our own.
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Faith is a personal relationship with God
Faith is not a feeling. It is a conscious decision to believe that God's word is truer than our experiences, and to walk by faith, not by sight. It is about choosing, with our will, to believe that God's word is truer than our feelings.
Faith is a gift from God, and it is also a choice. We can choose to believe that God's Word is truer than anything in the world. We can choose to believe that God loves us and sent His Son to die for us, taking the punishment that we deserve. We can choose to receive Christ into our hearts and lives.
Faith is a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is about accepting that God's ways are far better than our own and releasing control of our lives to Him. It is about choosing to follow Jesus and allowing Him to transform us into His image.
Faith is a journey of obedience to God's commands. It is about taking God at His word and obeying Him, just as Noah, Abraham, and Sarah did. It is about walking with God and allowing Him to guide our paths, even when the way seems uncertain.
Faith is a response to God's love. It is about receiving His love and allowing it to transform us. It is about extending that love to others and reflecting Christ through our words and actions.
Ultimately, faith is a personal relationship with God, rooted in His Word, and lived out in obedience and love.
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Faith is a choice
Ultimately, faith is a choice to surrender your life to God and to follow Him. It is a choice to believe that He will guide you and protect you, and that He has a plan for your life. Faith is a choice to put your trust in Him, even when you don't understand His ways.
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Frequently asked questions
Faith in God is about taking Him at His word and obeying His command. It is about trusting that God's word is truer than anything else, including our own feelings.
The Bible makes hundreds of references to faith. For example, "The just shall live by faith" and "This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."
It is important to explicitly state your beliefs and values as a Christian. For example, you could say, "I believe that everyone can be healed from failure" or "I believe that God commands me to spread love to everyone." It is also crucial to actively oppose toxic forms of Christianity and show that your faith is different.
You can explain that faith in God is not just about feelings or emotions. It is about trusting in something bigger than ourselves and taking God at His word. You can also share your personal experiences of how faith has brought you peace and security.
