What is Faith?
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” (Hebrews 11:1). Believing in something is having faith in it, and it can be as simple as turning on the electric switch, considering the act will automatically turn on the light. We do this without thinking; it’s being a random pattern and engraved in our belief system, and then we see the expectant result of the light switch. Also, No one examines a chair if it can support us when sitting; we sit and get comfortable.If someone says, God spoke the Word, “Let there be creation, and there was, what makes the individual accept the reality of the statement. Is God the creator of heaven and the earth? Generally, people have faith in the light switch and the chair example, and individuals live confidently regarding the outcome. There are many attributes of the Almighty that are irrevocable and unknown to many, although written, exercised, and are still in operation since creation. Undoubtedly, it is proper for a prudent person to understand the character of a would-be associate or friend to make a partner. The Lord himself didn’t force a relationship, but he showers His love and kindness on us and uses some words of invitation to woo us, such as: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalm 34:38). Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavily laden, I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-29). Why will you labor on that which does not satisfy? (Isaiah 55:1). Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
The Lord daily offers himself as being available and freely gives us the invitation to himself. The human attention span is so short and does not pay attention to details. Furthermore, man cannot go to God by him/herself. God initiates and gives the prescription on how to get to him. Many understand the pages of the scripture reflect the Almighty God, and the more they discover Him through this avenue, the sweeter He becomes. The Bible contains all the truth and facts about God, His plan toward man, His provision for a relationship, and how to perfect it. Having a steady spiritual relationship with God is intimacy with Him. Growing intimacy with the Lord is equivalent to faith-building.
The man David wrote many chapters in the book of Psalms regarding the Lord and being in a relationship with Him. He enjoyed a perfect intimacy and expressed the thrill of it in all of his writings in the book of Psalms. His Intimacy with God and sharing motivate us to plunge into a walk of faith with the Almighty.
Promoters of Faith
Many ended up with God, serving and walking with Him for many reasons and through various circumstances. A few who believed in God enjoyed the life with him and never looked back again from serving Him. Some were amazed by the manner of God/ Savior He is and proceeded to know Him more. Some had a life-changing encounter, believed, and followed Him. Some like Simon Peter heard the Word and believed. Many others listened to the Word and kept a distance from him, but Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6:68-69). The Scripture says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, and to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12).
Let’s Take a Look at Some Characters and their Acts of Faith:
David saw the army of Israel gripped by fear of the giant Goliath who showed up and invited anyone bold enough among the Israelite troops to face him on a one- to – one combat. The Israelites froze at the giant each time he came out to torment them for a fight. They were sorely afraid to face such a hefty and experienced soldier. Goliath taunted the Israelites in the same way for 40 days. Then David appeared among the camp, heard the statement from the mouth of Goliath, as follows, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he can fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were shocked and terrified. Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Moreover, David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul allowed David to have a one-on-one combat with the Philistine. David was out to face the Goliath. As soon as He saw David, he felt insulted about a kid meeting him; and caused him by his gods, boasted how he would give David’s flesh to the birds and beasts. David struck the Philistine dead with a stone and a sling. Israel won the battle through a young man with faith in his God. (1 Samuel 17). “
Moses gave instructions to the elders of the tribes of Israel to spy out the land they were to possess. After they returned to the camp of Israel, they gave the news of the journey, said good things about the place, but claimed they would not go to possess the land because giants were occupying the area and it will be impossible to fight them. (Numbers 13). The people cried because of the bad news from the elders and professed negative things, but Joshua and Caleb, who were among the elders who visited the land, said, “The land we passed through to spy out is exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:7-9). The two men believed God to fight the battle of possession of the land for them.
A woman had a problem with bleeding for 12 years, visited doctors without any result. She sneaked through the crowd surrounding Jesus touched the back of His cloak, immediately the bleeding stopped. Jesus said, who felt me. The disciples and others reasoned with Jesus there was a crowd around pressing him, but Jesus said “, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” (Luke 8:46). The woman, knowing she could no longer hide, fearfully told her story; and Jesus blessed her as follows, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:48, NIV).
.Jesus was going out of Jericho with a large crowd and his disciples. Blind Bartimaeus sat on the road and begging for alms. When he heard Jesus was passing by, he cried out and said, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The crowd tried to shut him down, but he cried the more for Jesus to have mercy on him. Jesus heard Blind Bartimaeus cry, stood still, and called for him. The crowd told the blind man Jesus was calling him. He removed his cloak and ran to Jesus. The Lord asked for his wishes. Blind Bartimaeus said to Jesus, “master that I may receive my sight”; then Jesus said, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.”
We see through these examples the various characters developed their faith through multiple ways, such as their exposure (background), experience, news about a new trend in society that is authentic, and belief in the truth of it. The men and women took the step of faith, believed, and got a result. Remember this scripture verse “Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery, but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” (Daniel 11:32).
The disciple Thomas did not believe the rest disciples’ who gave news about Jesus appearing to them. Thomas said he would only believe when he encounters Jesus with his own eyes, touch His nail prints, and His side. Jesus appeared to the disciples again while Thomas was present. Jesus made him feel the nail prints and his pierced side. He told Thomas not to be unbelieving but believing. Thomas then acknowledged Jesus as His Lord and God; Jesus said to him, “Thomas because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Lord speaking with Thomas blessed our generation who did not experience him while he was physically on earth, yet believe Him. Also, the Word of God gave a complete account of creation and God in the Old Testament; and the life, teaching, death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven of the Savior, Jesus Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God in Majesty; and we believe. Furthermore, Jesus’ disciples, through the Holy Spirit, wrote the account of their powerful encounter with Jesus, such as Matthew, Mark, etc. Paul the Apostle wrote various epistles and books regarding his encounter with the Savior, and we believe them and experience the evidence in our lives. Another of Jesus’ disciples and apostle, one of the three (Peter, James, and John) most intimate associates of Jesus affirmed through his books in the Bible the reality of Jesus’ humanity and the gospel teaching. John introduced one of his books as follows, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you (that your joy may be full.” (1 John 1:1).
“Therefore, we also, since so great a cloud of witnesses surrounds us, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Do you believe God is the creator of heaven and earth? Do you have faith in God and His son Jesus Christ who died to reconcile us to God?
Antagonist to the Faith that Works
Unbelief. The Israelites did not believe in the authenticity of the Word of God like Abraham, their ancestor who believed, and he became the man of faith. They ignored the Word of God through Moses. As a result, many of them perished in the wilderness, their journey of a few days prolonged for another 40 years. Fear of the crowd or losing association. Many exhibit inconsistencies because they want to satisfy their peers. Lack of interest in the things about God. Ignorance of the Word. We grow our faith in the Lord through reading and meditating on the Word. Doing this helps us to understand the way of God and the path to follow. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
How to Walk the Life of Faith
You need the move of the spirit of God Confess and forsake the sinful life from the Adamic nature. Invite the Master, Jesus, into your heart and be born again. “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). Join a Bible-believing Church (Hebrews 10:25). Follow the Lord in the believer’s baptism. Forsake all and follow him through daily reading, meditating, and obedience to the Word of God. (Psalm 1; Joshua 1:8). Do not grieve the Holy Spirit through disobedience to the Word of God. (Ephesians 4:30). Live a life of praying in the Spirit always (Ephesians 6:10-19). Share the good news of the saving grace of God. (Mark 16:15). Follow the Master and turn closed ears to all distractions. We know all the obstacles in our individual lives prevent us from committing our lives to the Lord. The parable of the sower summarized these obstacles. (Matthew 13).
Faith is the element through which to come to savior. If God says it, it is true. The grace of God is made available to all; the only next step is to acknowledge the provision and move on through the action of “I believe Lord” (Faith). Forsake, follow, and see the glory of God. Grow and walk in the savior for “the just shall walk by faith not by sight.