Faith

The second truth relating to man’s acceptance of God’s great salvation is true Biblical faith. Faith is the indispensable channel of salvation.  In Hebrews 11:6 we are told that “…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:1 gives a Scriptural definition of faith, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

The Greek word for faith as it is used in Hebrews 11:1 means to put trust in and to have a holy fear of God.  It is born from the conviction that God sovereignly loves His children.  This faith involves a complete surrender to His will.  We see this type of faith in Jesus in Gethsemane.  He prayed “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you.  Take this cup from Me.  Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36)  Jesus was about to face the hardest test of obedience that He would ever go through for the salvation of mankind and He showed forth true Biblical faith.  A faith full of trust, confidence and assurance in God the Father.

Faith is not a leap in the dark, it is being sure of who God is and believing in what His Word says enough to let it direct your life and test everything you hear and read to what the Bible says. The key to greatness with God and being useful in His service is not in a developed talent or exercising a gift.  It is having enough faith in Him to completely lay our lives, jobs, finances, and families into His hands, regardless of the outcome, because God can be fully trusted.

“Being sure” means to lay hold of the foundation, knowing His assurance and guarantee.  Dr. A. T. Robertson in his exposition of Hebrews chapter 11 tells us “…this is being sure of what He has spoken.  If your faith does not find rest upon the written Word of God, it is not Biblical faith.”  Too many treat faith as if they believe hard enough God will give them what they want, with no concern for God’s will.  Others won’t take God at His Word.  Both attitudes are a sin against God. The Greek word for “certain” is a legal term meaning evidence that is accepted for conviction,  evidence by which invisible things are proved and we are convinced of their reality.  It is proof so powerful that it causes you to have hope for the promises yet to come.

People who have received God’s great salvation have genuine faith.  They seek first His kingdom and righteousness, because they know His promises of provision are true. (Matthew 6:33)  They walk being led of the Holy Spirit as He illuminates the Word of God into their hearts.  The righteous live by faith. (Galatians 3: 11) Christians keep themselves from the love of money and they are content with what God has given them, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

If you are not walking and living in true Biblical faith, then invite Jesus Christ into your heart to be Savior and Lord and join the body of Christ, those who live by faith in God. Do you have Biblical faith?