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Faith The
word faith is used primarily in two ways in the Bible. One is referring to the
body of doctrine delivered to us from God. “Contend earnestly for the faith
once and for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). In one sense the faith
refers to the teaching in the Old and New Testament. It refers to the doctrine
of Christ and that preached by the apostles. We understand that the Law of Moses
came from God and so did the Law of Christ. The Law of Moses was nailed to the
cross and we are under the Law of Christ today. On the other hand, faith can
refer to one’s conviction. It is in this sense that I want to write about
“faith.” I
am afraid many equate faith with a hunch or superstition. They feel something is
right and therefore it must be. To question one’s faith is akin to questioning
one’s humanity. In this article, we want to define faith, how one develops
faith in God, and what faith does. Faith
is defined in Hebrews 11.1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.” Abraham
is given as a great example of faith in James 2. God promised Abraham the Faith
is essential in the life of a Christian because we are trusting in God, it looks
toward the future. Hence, it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen. It would have been easier for Abraham if God gave him Isaac
immediately upon him leaving his homeland in Genesis 12. But God waited for 25
years, until Abraham was 100 years old. Faith would not have been necessary if
God drove all the nations off the Faith
is different from a blind trust in God. The faith of Abraham was based on what
God said. The Lord spoke to Abraham and he believed. Too many people think
religion is beyond reason and revelation. The difference between the Christian
and the person bowing down to worship an idol is revelation. The people at My
faith is dependant on my reading and studying God’s word 2 Tim 2:15 “Be
diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” I find it interesting that when
Paul was speaking of Timothy’s faith he related it to his earlier teaching.
“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. …But as for you, continue in the things which
you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you learned them
and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to
make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy
1.5; 3.14-15). Notice that Paul makes a correlation between Timothy’s genuine
faith and that which he learned from childhood. Timothy’s faith was not some
mysterious thing that he just so happened to have, it was developed as he
learned God’s word. We are told to add to our faith in 2 Peter 1.5. I am
afraid too many Christians are passive in developing their faith. They wonder
why they are having trouble when they face trials and tribulations, but the
reason is they did not develop their faith. If you are having trouble in
believing in God and His word, you need to spend more time studying God’s
word, worshipping God, and being of service to God. “So then faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17)/ I
also submit to you that faith, when developed will be an active component in our
lives. Hebrews 11 gives us a brief definition of faith in verse 1. The rest of
the chapter points out its importance and what faith does. Noah built the ark
because God told Him to do so. He trusted in the Lord’s word and then did what
was commanded. Abraham left his homeland and wandered in the |