Webster defines the word faith as "Belief-, assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority and veracity, without other evidence." "assent of the mind to the truth of divine revelation”. And. this definition is established by the colleges and universities of our country generally, and endorsed by all Arminians and legalists everywhere.
But the definition of the term as used in the Scriptures, as defined by the inspired apostles, differs very widely from the popularly received definitions of men. The apostle John speaks of it as a child from heaven., born of God, and inspired with heavenly life, and triumphing over the world. "For whatsoever is born of God, overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world: even our faith." 1 John 5:4 That faith which is of God and in God, is the faith the Lord Jesus Christ is himself the author and the finisher of it. Heb 12:2
The faith that is born of God will lay hold of and endorse no other doctrine than that of God our Savior; it will point out no other path for the saints to walk in but that which Christ has marked out by his precepts and examples, and it will admit as genuine, no other experience than that which is led by the Spirit of God. This is the faith of God's elect. By it, the saints are distinguished from the world, none can possess it unless they be born of God, and without it no man can please God. This true and living faith is, an element of the heaven-born child of God, and only by it can we overcome the world, the flesh and the devil; only by it can we approach the throne of grace, draw near to God, or cry Abba, Father.
He that comes to God must believe that he is, and the belief in God's being and perfections is the act of vital faith.
This heaven-begotten and heaven-born faith, is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Heb 11:l
Faith is the substance of the things hoped for, by the Christian. The things hoped for by the new man are spiritual, heavenly and eternal, for it enters within the veil, and is fixed on things which are not seen by the natural perceptions of men.
The apostle has said, "Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith." 2 Cor 13:5 How do we know we are in this faith?
First- The faith of the Son of God in our hearts is always associated with hope and charity. Now abideth faith, hope and charity these three. The love of God in our hearts will center in God as its author and source in his people, his truth, his government, his laws, his ordinances, and all the privileges of his church.
Second- Having this faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, or, in other words, are reconciled to God, rejoice that he is God, that he has all power in heaven and in earth; that he .reigns supreme over all beings, all worlds, and all events, that he has numbered the hairs of our head, and will not suffer one of them to fall unbidden of him to the ground. He IS sovereign.
Third- If we have this faith, we shall learn by experience that we cannot control it, exercise or enlarge it- but on the contrary, it will assuredly control, exercise and govern us.
Fourth- Having this faith, we shall assuredly also have fears, trials, temptations and great conflicts with the world, the flesh and Satan, for our faith must be tried, that its power may be understood and appreciated.
Fifth- If our faith be of the operation of God, it will give us views of the perfections, power and majesty of God, and we shall see in ourselves our total depravity. And we look with wonder at the amazing power and grace displayed in our salvation.
Sixth- This faith will lead us to trust alone in God for our eternal salvation, and for the salvation of all his redeemed family, while it will effectually destroy in us all confidence in the flesh.
Another peculiarity of this faith is that it will endure trials of the greatest severity, and God has ordained that it shall be tried as He scourgeth every son.
The power of faith shall be known by the saints, in its victories over the world, the flesh and the devil. It shall triumph over death, and vanquish the gloom and terror of the grave
Faith is the bond between God and man that allows us to see Him as He is, to see us as we are, and to rest completely in His sovereign grace.