What is Faith?
Faith is deeper than belief. It is man’s term or condition of the covenant of salvation.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God
Ephesians 2:8
God’s term = Grace (“Christ died for sin”)
Man’s term = Faith (“I die with Christ”)
Faith is the motion of the new creation or the new man:
Every being that is alive moves.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Faith is the instruction for the lifestyle of the justified or the redeemed (born again).
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews 10:38
Faith is the doing of God’s instruction.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. {spirit: or, breath}
James 2:26
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. Matthew 7:24
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2
The Bible is the Only Reference of Faith. It is within the bounds of the Bible.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
In hearing we must first:
Know Yourself. This means knowing our status and God’s benefits for us. We must be familiar with God’s Word, His precious promises, His covenants, instructions, and guidelines. These are the motivators of our decisions and consequently our actions.
Know God (the Object of your faith). God is the Guarantor of the promises, the Originator of the Covenant, and the Giver of the benefits in the Bible. Through the reading of the Bible, we can see the dealings of God with His people. Thereby, we will know His Power, His character, and His wisdom. We will, also, be familiar with His deeds, abilities, capabilities, and reliability.
In essence, faith is a lifestyle of doing according to what we hear, believe and trust.
Faith is the act of the will to choose God – His Word, instructions, promises, covenants, opinions; and to decide and act according to it, even if it contradicts with reason, emotion, and other people’s opinion. Faith does not need our opinion, experience, reason, emotion, the popular opinion, world truths, scientific or medical research, and even the opinion of the academe - if it contradicts with God’s Word, His instructions, character, wisdom, and power. Though these are not entirely wrong or sinful but it cannot maximize the glory of God, because as far as faith is concerned, its only truth is the Word of God.
Faith is the instruction of the lifestyle of the just and the righteous.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews 10:38
The Two Lifestyles
Carnal or Sensual Lifestyle
Decisions and actions are motivated by the senses. (eyes, taste, touch etc.)
The senses mold our reason, opinions, feelings and etc.
Spirit-led (or by Faith) Lifestyle
Actions led by God’s instructions not by reason or experience
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:9
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. {substance: or, ground, or, confidence} Hebrews 11:1 and following.
Hope and Desire = expectations
Evidence = Results (concrete, tangible) evidence of the abstract (healing, renewed life)
Example:
In God’s declaration and perspective
1. “you are sanctified” (Rom. 8:9) that’s why the believers are called “saints”.
2. *“born again” = new man or new creation
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. {again: or, from above} John 3:3
Seeds of truth can grow if you make it alive. And unbelief can be the cause of these seeds demise.
God’s way of creating is through declaration and command.
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. Psalm 33:6-9
At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. Psalm 104:7
And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, Job 38:10
Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? Jeremiah 5:22
The seed of truth(Words) has life in it. It can replicate. And its parent is Christ.
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, Galatians 2:19
Unbelief insults the blood of the covenant; by which the blood of Christ is the proof of God’s faithfulness.
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:29
The word is a seed of truth; make it happen to make it alive.
Example of Faith
1. Virgin Mary
She had the right attitude in receiving the message of the angel in being the vessel of the Messiah, “let it be done unto me according to thy word”. Also, Mary accepted the truth that God is true even if “without a man” she will conceive the Savior.
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Romans 3:4
She chose the real truth that “with God nothing is impossible”.
Faith sees God in good and bad times. Some equate faith with good life – health and prosperity. Though it is partly right, faith is the real life. Its purpose is to please God. Those who come to Him must believe that He is not limited. The other purpose of faith is REST for us, no struggles but complete dependence on God, His sovereignty and power.
And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:18-19.
Faith covers all areas of life as instructions and guidelines.
1. Spiritual
2. Personal
3. Social – relationships (parents, children, spouses, friends, enemies, servants, and leaders)
4. Financial
*made perfect by declaration
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Hebrews 10:14
Not yet perfect but striving by faith
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Philippians 3:12-16
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 2 Corinthians 7:11
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12
Faith is deeper than belief. It is man’s term or condition of the covenant of salvation.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God
Ephesians 2:8
God’s term = Grace (“Christ died for sin”)
Man’s term = Faith (“I die with Christ”)
Faith is the motion of the new creation or the new man:
Every being that is alive moves.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Faith is the instruction for the lifestyle of the justified or the redeemed (born again).
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews 10:38
Faith is the doing of God’s instruction.
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. {spirit: or, breath}
James 2:26
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. Matthew 7:24
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2
The Bible is the Only Reference of Faith. It is within the bounds of the Bible.
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
In hearing we must first:
Know Yourself. This means knowing our status and God’s benefits for us. We must be familiar with God’s Word, His precious promises, His covenants, instructions, and guidelines. These are the motivators of our decisions and consequently our actions.
Know God (the Object of your faith). God is the Guarantor of the promises, the Originator of the Covenant, and the Giver of the benefits in the Bible. Through the reading of the Bible, we can see the dealings of God with His people. Thereby, we will know His Power, His character, and His wisdom. We will, also, be familiar with His deeds, abilities, capabilities, and reliability.
In essence, faith is a lifestyle of doing according to what we hear, believe and trust.
Faith is the act of the will to choose God – His Word, instructions, promises, covenants, opinions; and to decide and act according to it, even if it contradicts with reason, emotion, and other people’s opinion. Faith does not need our opinion, experience, reason, emotion, the popular opinion, world truths, scientific or medical research, and even the opinion of the academe - if it contradicts with God’s Word, His instructions, character, wisdom, and power. Though these are not entirely wrong or sinful but it cannot maximize the glory of God, because as far as faith is concerned, its only truth is the Word of God.
Faith is the instruction of the lifestyle of the just and the righteous.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews 10:38
The Two Lifestyles
Carnal or Sensual Lifestyle
Decisions and actions are motivated by the senses. (eyes, taste, touch etc.)
The senses mold our reason, opinions, feelings and etc.
- If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands. Job 31:7
Spirit-led (or by Faith) Lifestyle
Actions led by God’s instructions not by reason or experience
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:9
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. {substance: or, ground, or, confidence} Hebrews 11:1 and following.
Hope and Desire = expectations
Evidence = Results (concrete, tangible) evidence of the abstract (healing, renewed life)
Example:
In God’s declaration and perspective
1. “you are sanctified” (Rom. 8:9) that’s why the believers are called “saints”.
2. *“born again” = new man or new creation
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. {again: or, from above} John 3:3
Seeds of truth can grow if you make it alive. And unbelief can be the cause of these seeds demise.
God’s way of creating is through declaration and command.
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. Psalm 33:6-9
At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. Psalm 104:7
And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, Job 38:10
Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? Jeremiah 5:22
The seed of truth(Words) has life in it. It can replicate. And its parent is Christ.
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, Galatians 2:19
Unbelief insults the blood of the covenant; by which the blood of Christ is the proof of God’s faithfulness.
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:29
The word is a seed of truth; make it happen to make it alive.
Example of Faith
1. Virgin Mary
She had the right attitude in receiving the message of the angel in being the vessel of the Messiah, “let it be done unto me according to thy word”. Also, Mary accepted the truth that God is true even if “without a man” she will conceive the Savior.
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. Romans 3:4
She chose the real truth that “with God nothing is impossible”.
Faith sees God in good and bad times. Some equate faith with good life – health and prosperity. Though it is partly right, faith is the real life. Its purpose is to please God. Those who come to Him must believe that He is not limited. The other purpose of faith is REST for us, no struggles but complete dependence on God, His sovereignty and power.
And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:18-19.
Faith covers all areas of life as instructions and guidelines.
1. Spiritual
2. Personal
3. Social – relationships (parents, children, spouses, friends, enemies, servants, and leaders)
4. Financial
*made perfect by declaration
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Hebrews 10:14
Not yet perfect but striving by faith
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Philippians 3:12-16
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 2 Corinthians 7:11
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12