What is faith?
Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance (confirmation, assured expectation)* of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (the proof of things we do not see, perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses).”
How necessary is it to have faith?
Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who (earnestly and diligently) seek Him.”
Do all people have faith?
2 Thessalonians 3:2: “And that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith (for faith is not a possession of all people).”
How important is it for us to have faith in these end times?
Hebrews 10:37-39: “37 For yet in a very little while, He (Christ) who is coming will come, and will not delay. 38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving (alive) of the soul.”
Jesus posed this question:
Luke 18:8: “. . . However, when the Son of Man comes, will He (really) find faith on the earth?”
Is faith necessary for salvation?
Ephesians 2:8-9:”8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Romans 11:6: “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”
Can a person really be declared righteous and justified by faith?
Romans 5:1-2: “1 Therefore, having been justified (acquitted, declared righteous, given a right standing with God) by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”
Did you know that faith is unique? It is the only quality which is a fruit of the Spirit and also a gift of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 states: “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith (faithfulness), 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 states: “4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” (See also Romans 12:6-8)
How powerful is faith?
Matthew 17:20: “And He (Jesus) said to them, ‘Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.’”
Obstacles in our lives sometimes pose as mountains that God wants us to overcome. By faith, we can remove anything that stands between us and God.
What is the sin that so easily entangles us? A lack of faith!
Hebrews 12:1-2: “1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of (our) faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Read also Hebrews Ch. 11)
If we were to examine ourselves and the many sins that we have all committed, we might be surprised to find that at the basis of all conscious sin, there is a lack of faith. This lack of faith is the sin that so easily entangles us. A lack of faith that God can provide for, care for, reward, and supply all of our needs in Christ Jesus, and in accordance with God’s will.
So then, let us pray for faith and that our faith might not give out; so that we may all join with the Apostle Paul in these words:
2 Timothy 4:7-8: “7 I have fought the good (the fine) fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing (coming).” (Refer also to Luke 22:31-32)
*Red print in brackets indicates various renderings from other translations and/or for clarification.