Faith

Faith is essential to salvation and the Christian life. The Bible tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). But what exactly is faith, and how does it work in God’s plan of salvation? Let’s explore what Scripture teaches about this crucial topic.

What Is Faith?

Faith is more than just believing that God exists. Hebrews 11:1 defines it this way: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” True belief includes:

  • Believing in God’s existence
  • Trusting in His promises
  • Accepting Jesus as God’s Son
  • Being willing to act on what we believe

Think of faith as trusting a bridge to hold you up. You don’t just believe the bridge exists—you trust it enough to walk across it. Similarly, biblical faith means trusting God enough to follow His commands.

How Do We Get Faith?

Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” This means belief develops when we:

  • Learn about God through His Word
  • Understand what Jesus did for us
  • Study examples of faith in the Bible
  • Listen to biblical teaching
  • Consider the evidence God has given us

Belief and Salvation

The Bible clearly connects belief to salvation. Some key verses include:

  • “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)
  • “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8)
  • “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16)

Active vs. Passive

James 2:19 points out that even demons believe God exists, but this isn’t saving faith. True faith must be active. James 2:17 states, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

An active faith includes:

  1. Believing God’s promises
  2. Trusting His word
  3. Obeying His commands
  4. Living according to His will

Scripture provides many examples of active faith.

Abraham

  • Believed God’s promises. Hebrews 11:8 – “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
  • Left his homeland. Genesis 12:1-4 – “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.'”
  • Was willing to sacrifice Isaac. Genesis 22:10-12 – “Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.'”
  • His belief was shown by his actions. James 2:21-22 – “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.”

Noah

  • Believed God’s warning. Hebrews 11:7 – “By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household.”
  • Built the ark despite no rain. Genesis 6:22 – “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.”
  • Preached righteousness. 2 Peter 2:5 – “If he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly.”
  • Saved his family through obedient faith. 1 Peter 3:20 – “Because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.”

The Walls of Jericho

  • The people believed God’s promise. Hebrews 11:30 – “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.”
  • They followed His unusual instructions. Joshua 6:6-7 – “So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, ‘Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of ram’s horns before the ark of the LORD.'”
  • The walls fell because of their faithful obedience. Joshua 6:20 – “So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.”

Faith and Obedience

True faith always leads to obedience. Hebrews 11 shows many examples of people who demonstrated their belief through their actions. This connection between faith and obedience means:

  • Faith motivates us to follow God’s commands. John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
  • Obedience shows our belief is genuine. 1 John 2:3-5 – “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.”
  • Actions demonstrate what we truly believe. James 2:17 – “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
  • Faith without obedience isn’t really faith. James 2:19 – “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

Growing in Faith

Faith isn’t static—it needs to grow. We can strengthen our faith by:

  1. Regular Bible study. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
  2. Prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
  3. Fellowship with other believers. Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
  4. Putting beliefs into practice. Philippians 2:12-13 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
  5. Remembering God’s faithfulness. Psalm 100:5 – “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”

Testing of Faith

Peter writes that trials will test our faith (1 Peter 1:7). These tests:

  • Prove faith’s genuineness. James 1:2-3 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
  • Strengthen our trust in God. Romans 5:3-4 – “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
  • Develop perseverance. Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”
  • Lead to spiritual growth. 2 Peter 3:18 – “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

Continue to Believe

Faith isn’t just for becoming a Christian—it’s for staying one. We must:

  • Continue believing. Colossians 1:23 – “If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.”
  • Keep trusting. Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
  • Remain faithful. Revelation 2:10 – “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
  • Grow stronger in faith. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.”
  • Endure to the end. Matthew 24:13 – “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Conclusion

Faith is fundamental to salvation and the Christian life. It begins when we first believe in Jesus and continues to grow throughout our lives. True belief always leads to action—it changes how we live and motivates us to obey God.

Remember that faith isn’t about having every answer or never having doubts. It’s about trusting God enough to follow Him, even when the path isn’t clear. As Jesus told Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

If you’re considering your relationship with God, understand that He calls us to a trusting and active faith. This belief compels us to respond to His grace by believing in Jesus, turning from sin, confessing our faith, and receiving baptism. Then, we continue living by faith, growing stronger daily as we walk with God.