Understanding Faith (Part 1)

Faith is probably one of the most misunderstood subjects in the Bible.  It's misunderstood from the stand point that many believe either you "have it, or don't" and if you don't, it's no big deal.  But we have to understand that to have faith is a command and not an option.  Faith isn't something we pick up when we need it, it is a way of life and something we should live out every day of our life!  In the first part of this series on "Understanding Faith," I want to build a foundation to help us understand, grasp, and live this very important part of our life.

Scriptural Basis For Faith

Habakkuk 2:4 -- "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."  If the just shall live by faith, then faith must be a way of life!  This is the way you and I are to live everyday for Jesus.  Faith is more than just a "emergency parachute" to get us out of problems.  It is how we should live.  This scripture is also carried over in to the New Testament in Romans 1:17 -- "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith." 

Galatians 3:11 -- "But no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith."  The word "just" means, one who has been justified by the blood of Jesus Christ, or one who has been declared righteous.  If you are in Christ, you have been declared "righteous."

Hebrews 10:38 -- "Now the just shall live by faith: but is any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."  The word "faith" has been so misused and misapplied.  People will ask "What faith are you?" seeking to know to what denomination do you belong.  But faith doesn't mean a denomination, church, or religion.  Faith is more than a religion, it is a way of living!  Our Christian faith isn't a religion.  Christianity is a man, Jesus Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:7 -- "For we walk by faith, not by sight."  When I talk about sight, I am talking about the "sense realm."  Those in Christ should be walking by faith and not by what we perceive with our senses.  Too often, people have a relationship with God that is based strictly on emotions, feelings, and sense knowledge.  True Christian faith, doesn't rely on the senses, but on the Word of God.

Romans 12:3 -- "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to everyman that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."  Every person who accepts Christ as his or her personal Savior has faith.

Ephesians 2:8 -- "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."  This scripture show you why anyone who comes to Christ has to have faith.  If you are saved, you have faith.  And if your are saved, you have that measure of faith.

Romans 10:17 -- "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."  Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, not by prayer, not by fasting, not by any other Christian discipline!  These Christian disciplines can "enhance" and "grow" our faith, but the faith itself comes by hearing the Word of God.  If you aren't hearing the Word, then you can't have faith.

2 Peter 1:1-4 -- "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us to glory and virtue.  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might by partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."  Look at this verse carefully and notice all that we have been given!  Everything we need for life and godliness has been made available to us.  All we need to do is walk and live by faith.  These aren't just great promises, but they are exceeding great and precious promises.

Are you living your faith?  If not, you can begin to live it today!  Our faith is manifested in our works!  Get busy working for God and let others see your faith in action!