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What is faith?
That question would be a great entry in your prayer or Bible journal.
Think about it for a minute.
What is faith?
I grew up in the church. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t attend church on a regular basis, until the past couple of years, of course.
Growing up, I was taught that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 KJV). As I’ve gotten older, I’ve held on to that definition, obviously, because it’s the closest thing we have to a definition from the Bible.
I’ve also learned other things about faith throughout my life. I’m sure you have as well.
Good Definition
There is a really vague definition that says it is having complete trust or confidence in a person or thing. That is true. That to me is more for friends and family. I have “complete trust or confidence” in the people with whom I surround myself.
Better Definition
A better definition is having a strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual understanding instead of proof. Again. This is true. I do have a strong belief in God based on a spiritual understanding. However, considering a lot of things that have happened (and are happening) in my life, I can’t say I don’t have proof.
Best Definition
The best definition (maybe) that I could compile through research is to completely rely on Jesus and what He has done to be in a right relationship with God. I say this is the best one I could write from my research because it includes a belief in something that you can’t see, a spiritual reason to believe, and a “reason”–a right relationship.
I’m sure there are other definitions of faith, and with more research and time, I could come up with something that encompasses everything that faith is, but maybe I couldn’t. It’s hard to define because it’s just something that you have to think, know, and feel for yourself.
What is Its Purpose?
It is meant to give you a belief in yourself so you can allow God to come into your life and take complete control. When applied in our lives, we are able to believe that God is working and handling things for us. He is in charge, and we have to embrace it to allow Him to work.
It can give you the strength to fight battles. The Psalmist says that when he cried out to God, he was given strength (Psalm 138). When we pray, believing in God, we know that He will take care of His children.
How Do We Gain Faith?
In his letter to the Romans, Paul says that “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Like the Romans, we have to hear the word of God so that we can acquire faith in our lives. Hearing the Word doesn’t only happen in church services; it happens when we read and study our Bibles and through prayer. We can hear the word of God when He speaks to our hearts as well.
When we hear the word of God, our faith increases.
Why is It Important?
Faith could be another way of saying having trust in someone, right? We have to trust that God is in control through all the situations in life. When we are celebrating and when we are suffering, God is there. He is taking care of us, helping us, and working things out for His perfect plan. Though it’s hard to do, we have to trust and have faith that God is doing all this, even when we can’t see it happening.
Ephesians 2:8-9 gives us another reason why faith is important in our Christian lives. Those verses say, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV). Through our faith, our belief in God, and what Christ did on the cross, we are saved by grace. As Christians, that is powerful.
Conclusion
No matter how long you have been a Christian when someone asks you what faith is, it’s hard to explain. I’m sure that you can give 1,001 reasons why you have faith, but when asked, can you define faith?
What do you say when someone asks? I’d like to know. Leave a comment telling me how you define faith for others.