1 Corinthians 13:13 

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

Faith is the foundation of our salvation and assurance and trust in Christ. Faith is the reason we believe and are made right with God. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Without faith it is impossible to believe. 

Hebrews 11:6 

Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.  

What is Faith?

Faith is believing and having assurance of what we hope and conviction of what we know, but have not seen. It is confidence in the scriptures, knowing the truth of God’s Word and validity of God’s promises. 

Hebrews 11:1 

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.  

Blessing of Faith 

Blessed are those who have not seen, but still believe through faith. God blesses believers because of faith. 

God watches over us. We have His care and favor as believers. We are special to Him and He is attentive to our every need. We can trust Him by faith to help us in every part of our day and to have confidence in His promises and presence over our lives. 

We are His children. We have become His heirs through faith. And through faith we receive His riches, blessings and promises. He is our hope. Through faith we receive His Spirit in us and are given the promise of eternal life. We are given assurance and blessings that can never be taken away.

John 20:29 

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are the people who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 1:12

But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children.

Faith Given 

Faith is given by God. God draws us to Himself. God grows the seeds of salvation planted by others. God loves us first.

Through faith alone we are saved. Our eyes are opened and we see and understand. God reveals himself to us, to our hearts and minds. His Word comes alive as we read it when we believe by faith.

God works in us through His Spirit and grows our faith in Him. More and more we trust in His faithfulness, the more He shows and reveals himself to us. He gently leads us and works our path out in life. We can pray and ask Him for more faith. We have the privilege of coming before Him and seeking Him more.

Luke 17:5 

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”  

Romans 4:20 

He did not waver in unbelief about the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.  

John 12:32 

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”  

2 Corinthians 9:10 

Now God who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow.  

1 Corinthians 3:6 

I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused it to grow.  

1 John 4:19 

We love because he loved us first. 

Faith & Salvation 

Faith is the key to salvation. We must believe in Him. Christ gave the right to become His children, children of God, to those who believe. 

Belief of the Heart 

God says we must have faith to believe and accept Him resulting in our salvation. This belief must be of our heart and mind, not just our mind.

We can learn and gain knowledge about God, the Bible and theology, but without belief in our hearts it means nothing. God cares about our heart, he wants true believers. By faith we can believe in our heart.

Old & New Testament Faith 

Both testaments of the Bible required faith for salvation. Faith was how the Old Testament believers looked forward to the savior’s coming. Faith was the reason God counted righteousness to Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph and anyone who believed God by faith.

Jesus required faith to perform miracles and to believe He was who He said He was, the son of God. When Jesus died on the cross there was an earthquake and many were resurrected and appeared to many in Jerusalem. When they lived they had believed through faith and therefore were counted as righteous.

Genesis 15:6 

Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD credited it as righteousness to him.

Hebrews 11:2 

For by it (faith) the people of old received God’s commendation.  

Luke 18:42 

Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”  

Luke 5:20 

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”  

Luke 7:50 

He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” 

Galatians 3:26 

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith.  

Matthew 27:52 

And tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had died were raised.  

Biblical Examples

Faith is a central part of God’s Word. It takes faith to believe His Word. There are many people throughout the Bible commended for their faith. God plants and starts faith by reaching out to us. God’s spirit revealed who Jesus was to Peter and those who believed. Through faith we can see the world through God’s eyes and understand His Word.

Hebrews 

This book in the Bible details the faith of many throughout the Old Testament. It details how they chose to trust God in the situations in their life. It offers encouragement for circumstances in our life and choosing to trust in God. His way is always better and He is just a prayer away.

Hebrews 11:3 

By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God’s command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible. 

Hebrews 11:4 

By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith he was commended as righteous because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead.  

Hebrews 11:5 

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God.  

Hebrews 11:7 

By faith Noah, when he was warned about things not yet seen, with reverent regard constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family. Through faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 

Hebrews 11:8 

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, and he went out without understanding where he was going.  

Hebrews 11:11 

By faith, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was too old, he received the ability to procreate because he regarded the one who had given the promise to be trustworthy.  

Hebrews 11:13 

These all died in faith without receiving the things promised, but they saw them in the distance and welcomed them and acknowledged that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth.  

Hebrews 11:17 

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He had received the promises, yet he was ready to offer up his only son.  

Hebrews 11:20 

By faith also Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future.  

Hebrews 11:21 

By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped as he leaned on his staff.  

Hebrews 11:22 

By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave instructions about his burial. 

Hebrews 11:23 

By faith, when Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months because they saw the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.  

Hebrews 11:23-31

By faith, when Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months because they saw the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,  choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward. By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king’s anger, for he persevered as though he could see the one who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the one who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if on dry ground, but when the Egyptians tried it, they were swallowed up. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after the people marched around them for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute escaped the destruction of the disobedient because she welcomed the spies in peace. 

Hebrews 11:32-36

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets. Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, gained what was promised, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength in weakness, became mighty in battle, put foreign armies to flight, and women received back their dead raised to life. But others were tortured, not accepting release, to obtain resurrection to a better life. And others experienced mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.  

 Hebrews 11:39-40

And these all were commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. For God had provided something better for us, so that they would be made perfect together with us. 

Romans 

This book of the Bible highlights faith in action and the saving faith and power of God. It showcases God’s grace and how to live in faith. It encompasses the salvation plan of God from the beginning of creation. 

Romans 1:8 

First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.  

Romans 1:11-12

For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is, that we may be mutually comforted by one another’s faith, both yours and mine.  

Romans 14:19-23

So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. For although all things are clean, it is wrong to cause anyone to stumble by what you eat. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith you have, keep to yourself before God. Blessed is the one who does not judge himself by what he approves. But the man who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not do so from faith, and whatever is not from faith is sin. 

Romans 10:17 

Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ. 

Romans 1:16-17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.” 

Romans 4:16-18

For this reason it is by faith so that it may be by grace, with the result that the promise may be certain to all the descendants—not only to those who are under the law, but also to those who have the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”). He is our father in the presence of God whom he believed—the God who makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as though they already do.  Against hope Abraham believed in hope with the result that he became the father of many nations according to the pronouncement, “so will your descendants be.”  

 Romans 4:21-22

He was fully convinced that what God promised he was also able to do. So indeed it was credited to Abraham as righteousness. 

Romans 4:23-25

But the statement it was credited to him was not written only for Abraham’s sake,  but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.  He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification. 

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.

Romans 10:6-11

But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) or “Who will descend into the abyss?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we preach), because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”  

Growing in Faith 

Throughout our walk with Christ we have opportunity to grow. God doesn’t want us to stay where we are, as we are. He draws us close and works things together to stretch and grow and mold us. He takes us out of our comfort zone purposely. He places things in our life that challenge us.

James 1:2-4

My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.  

Trusting in God

How much do we trust God? What do we do when things don’t go as planned or hardships happen? Who or what do we turn to when the unexpected happens? How much do we let God in and give control to Him?

Growing in faith is important because without growth we become stagnant and joyless. We loose our hope. Walking with God through every part of our daily lives brings encouragement and excitement as we experience God at work and see with faith His encompassing presence and grace all around us. 

Psalms 118:8 

It is better to take shelter in the LORD than to trust in people. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. 

Romans 8:28 

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Letting God Work 

If we turn to God in prayer, to His Word and promises we will find hope in everything. He wants to help. He wants us to trust Him, to believe in faith that He works for our good and is good in everything. When we step out in faith He moves and will show us how to trust Him more and more. We will see His way is best and we will grow deeper in Him. 

Learning to trust is a lifelong process. We can start or pick back up anytime. God is always there. Go ahead and give Him whatever is on your mind and heart this moment. You will immediately find peace. You may not have an answer or understand but God will give you peace. Let go and let Him work. 

Psalms 34:8 

Taste and see that the LORD is good. How blessed is the one who takes shelter in him.

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

Hebrews 3:15 

As it says, “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”  

Prayer & Praise 

God loves to work on our behalf. He loves to show us more of who He is and bring us closer to Him. When we witness His work and experience His great love for us we will be filled with praise and joy. 

Prayer is our line directly to God. He hears every single prayer we pray. He listens and is moved. He is compassionate and cares about our needs. He gave us a way to communicate with Him. When we don’t know what to pray His Spirit within us prays. God knows all our needs. He knew we needed a way to put them in front of Him and let them in His hands. Just talking to God can bring much encouragement and comfort. Our hearts soar with gratitude and thankfulness to Him. Our faith is made stronger.

Matthew 21:22 

“And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, you will receive.” 

Romans 12:12 

Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.  

Psalms 66:20 

God deserves praise, he did not reject my prayer or abandon his love for me. 

Colossians 4:2 

Be devoted to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.  

Fellowship with the Body of Christ 

Faith and trust go hand in hand. When we fellowship, congregate or gather with fellow believers we can commune with each other. We can edify and lift each other up, through our testimony, scripture and mutual fellowship and worship together. Our faith is what connects us. Through that connection we can nurture each other. 

We were made to be together, to work together, to love together, to learn together, to worship together. We are not meant to be alone. God knows we need the support of each other. He calls us to encourage and lift each other up. To help each other. To listen and be there for each other. Together we are His Body, the Body of Christ, the Church. Each one of us with a unique purpose given by God to work together perfectly in harmony with each other for His Kingdom. Faith ties it all together.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing. 

Romans 14:19 

So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another.  

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near. 

Romans 15:5-16

Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you unity with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Hebrews 3:12-14

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that forsakes the living God. But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called “Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception. For we have become partners with Christ, if in fact we hold our initial confidence firm until the end.  

Applied Faith 

How do we put our faith in motion? What is active faith? How is faith applied to every life? God’s Word tells us. His Holy Spirit shows us how. Throughout life we should be growing in Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love. For if these things are really yours and are continually increasing, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your pursuit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more intimately. 

Life & Faith

On our journey with God throughout life we encounter many things. Some challenge us, others become encouragement. Still others leave us with questions and longing for understanding. If we cling to God throughout life we will find hope and peace. We will find our trust in Him grows greater, especially in the challenging times.

Every situation we can have faith through. When we are weak we can ask God for faith and strength. He will freely give it. He will not reject or resent our asking. He desires for us to grow in Him. He wants to show us his care and we learn to trust Him more. He is always faithful and will always come through in the right time.

God’s Word was written by people just like us, going through all kinds of things, problems, emotions, circumstances. Through reading their words we can be lifted up and find hope. God speaks through His Word to our hearts. 

God’s Spirit within us confirms His Word and works within us. If we listen carefully we can hear God speak to us through every day in every moment no matter what is happening.

Romans 8:5-6

For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:12 -14

So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.  

James 1:5 

But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.  

Deuteronomy  32:4 

As for the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. He is a reliable God who is never unjust, he is fair and upright. 

Alive Faith 

Faith must be alive and active. Our faith means nothing if we don’t use it, if we don’t show and share it. Faith should motivate us. We are to live by faith not by sight. Walking with Christ requires faith that gives, trusts, reaches out, comforts and loves. We can’t say we have faith if it doesn’t show in our lives.

Faith trusts when hope seems lost. Faith believes always. Faith built on Christ our foundation, grows not going stale or being stagnant. Faith takes God at His word. Faith sees a need and in compassion and empathy is moved to act. How can we say we love God and others and then not fulfill it with actions for Christ?

Faith is strong. It can move mountains and calm our hearts. We can be bold. We can trust and ask God and expect something good while leaving it in His hands and trusting His will and plan.

With Christ as our foundation, faith is the ground in which our lives grow and mature. Faith in action brings joy and peace to us and all around us. It witnesses to God’s grace and love to everyone around us. 

Faith is both our motivation for God’s Kingdom work and the shield of protection from the attacks of the devil. Faith is the key to it all. It is required for salvation. It motivates through God’s love for us. It keeps us firm and focused on God and the purpose He has for us.

James 2:14-16

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? 

James 2:17-19

So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works. You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear. 

James 2:20-23

But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless?  Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.  

James 2:24-26

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. 

John 11:22 

But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will grant you.” 

Matthew 21:22 

And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, you will receive.” 

Luke 17:6 

So the Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this black mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled out by the roots and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 

Ephesians 6:13-17

For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace, and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).  

Go Forward by Faith 

God is the author of our faith. He works within us to sanctify and mold our faith and likeness of Him. He draws us to salvation, but we must take the step of faith to believe and follow wherever He leads. Faith leads us forward in His Spirit. Keep focused on God and let Him lead.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

 1 Peter 1:8-9

You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, because you are attaining the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 

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