What is faith?
The dictionary would define "faith"
this way: "A confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness
of a person, and idea, or a thing. A belief that does not rest on logical
proof or material evidence. Theology: a secure belief in God and a trusting
acceptance of God's will."
I would have to agree with the definitions
above.
Faith is simply trusting that something is, even
though you cannot necessarily prove it. For example, whenever a person opens
a can of soda, and takes a drink from the can, they exercise
"faith" that what is about to enter their mouth is, in fact, what
the cans advertises on the outside. They have faith in the producer of
the drink that there are not impurities or poisons in the can.
When a person gets on an airplane they exhibit faith that that plane will
take them to their destination. When you drive your car you have faith
that the air bag will deploy in a crash. Note, that most of this is
not "blind faith" in that you have some assurance that things will
work out as you believe.
In Christianity, our faith is to trust in the
Word of God, that God will do as He promises. That He will bless those
who follow His commands, and that He will punish those who rebel against
Him. Christians put their faith in Christ as their Savior, trusting
that God will accept the payment of Christ's suffering on the cross, as
complete payment for their sins, thus allowing them to enter Heaven and to
never experience the fires of Hell.
How does faith work?
Like the illustrations that I gave above. In Christianity, we by
faith, trust God's Word. We read the Bible and by faith accept that
"all of it" is true. But it is not a blind faith! The
Bible claims to be the very words of God, and as such must be 100% true and
accurate. Therefore, whenever it speaks about any subject, science,
medicine, history, etc., then it must be 100% accurate. As we see the
Bible tested and tested, and always proved true, then this increases our
faith. When the Bible speaks of the wickedness of the heart of man,
and we observe it all around us, and sometimes even within us, then again
our faith is increased. The miracles and the prophesies only add more
to our faith.
With this faith we have obtained from reading God's Word, we then take
action based on it. We avoid certain things because God's Word say to,
and we, in time, see the benefit, which increases our faith. We put
faith in Christ to forgive our sins and make us new creations, and when we
see the great changes in former sinners and in ourselves, then again our
faith is encouraged.
Where does faith come from?
The saving faith and the faith to believe in God
comes only from God!
"It is by grace you have been saved,
through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." -
[Ephesians 2:8]
Faith is a "gift" of God. But how do we get the gift?
"Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through
the word of Christ." [Romans 10:17]
We receive the "gift" of faith as we listen to the words of
Christ, which is simply reading and studying the Bible, and listening to
sermons about Christ. Christ is the Living Word of God, and our faith
comes from the studying and understanding of the Bible.
Why is faith so important?
Because the opposite of faith is doubt, and
doubt will not bring salvation, nor allow anyone to trust in God.
Without faith in God then we are lost. God calls us to live by faith,
"For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a
righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:
"The righteous will live by faith." [Romans 1:17]
We must live by faith, because God commands it--it is the only way to be
saved.
Can unbelievers have faith?
Not as unbelievers, because the very term
"unbelievers" shouts that they don't have faith. An
unbeliever who "gets" the faith, or receives it, is no longer an
"unbeliever" but a "believer". I was an unbeliever
for 34 years, lost in Roman Catholicism, and then I started to read the
Bible, and in about 30 days, I had enough faith to trust Christ, by
repenting of my sins, believing in Christ, and submitting to His Lordship
over my life. So yes, an unbeliever can receive faith, if they read the
Bible, and/or somehow hear the message of Christ.
How does faith grow?
Simply as the believer learns more about Christ. Remember that faith
came by "hearing the message, and the message is heard through the
word of Christ." Well, as we continue to read the Bible and study
books, articles, go to church and listen carefully to the Sermons about
Christ, then and "only then" do we grow in faith."
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "Tony Capoccia's Questions and
Answers" by:
Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 314
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Email: tony@biblebb.com
Online since 1986