The definition of the Christian faith – Faith in God, a personal matter
Where does faith in God come from?
The definition of the Christian faith
Hebrews 11:1 is probably the verse that best defines the Christian faith.
It is presented as a firm assurance or, in other words, the substance of what we hope for.
And when this firm persuasion is present in our hearts, there is also a demonstration; a demonstration without the need to see.
There follows, until the end of chapter 11, a list of the «elders» who, having possessed this faith, obtained a good report.
Hebrews 11:1 « 1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. » KJV
The farmer who sowed wheat is not going to move the soil every morning to see if his wheat has sprouted. No, he knows it’s going to grow, because the land has been well prepared. He has faith.
Faith seizes the unrealities of hope to bring them into the realm of reality.
“To believe” is a verb of action. In the biblical sense, to believe is to “take” or “take hold of”. Believing in Jesus Christ means grasping everything the Bible tells us about Him.
Believing is always a deliberate choice, an action that depends on our will.
Faith in God, a personal matter
Faith is also a personal matter, and one can never borrow the faith of another. Faith is individual and must be developed, if we wish to achieve victories.
A measure of faith has been given to every man and we must act according to the measure of faith that God has placed in each of us (Romans 12:3).
You can’t please God if you don’t put your faith into practice, because you have to show Him that you trust Him and His Word.
Romans 12:3 « 3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. » KJV
Where does faith in God come from?
Faith does not come from prayer; prayer has never given faith. Faith is, in a way, a « spiritual muscle ».
It comes from the Word of God (Romans 10:17) and is nourished by this knowledge. To develop faith, one must immerse oneself in the Word. It is not a religious act or an intellectual study, but time spent in the presence of the Lord, giving Him the opportunity to speak to us through His Word.
Romans 10:17 « 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. » KJV
Believe = Hear + Accept
Doubt = Have not hear or Hear + Reject
Have faith = Believe + Act and Persevere
Faith consists in trusting God entirely and declaring what His Word says about us.
God said to Abraham, “Go,” (Genesis 12:1-2) and by faith he went without knowing where he was going.
Genesis 12:1-2 « 1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. » KJV
Let us also continue to walk, knowing that the steps of the righteous are led by God.
Isaiah 26:7 « 7The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. » KJV
