Faith

Here is the third installment from my series on faith...


What is Faith?

We are told in Heb 11:1-NOW FAITH (or trusting) IS THE SUBSTANCE (or assurance, or being confident, or being sure) OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE (or the conviction, or being certain, or convinced) OF THINGS NOT SEEN.
✟ Faith is SUBSTANCE. God’s Word tells us, all things are possible to them that believe (Mark 9:23). The Bible shows us that mountains can be moved by faith (Matthew 17:20). The next words tell us, FAITH…THE SUBSTANCE - of what? - OF THINGS HOPED FOR.
✟ And then the verse continues to tell us that, FAITH IS…THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN. Faith is substance and evidence.
✟ Faith is a shield. You have a shield as the result of faith.
✟ You have a breastplate as a result of faith and love.
✟ Eph 6:16-THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WHEREWITH YE SHALL BE ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED.
✟ 1 Thes 5:8 tells us, BUT LET US, WHO ARE OF THE DAY, BE SOBER, PUTTING ON THE BREASTPLATE OF FAITH AND LOVE.

Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
Romans 3:27
Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith.

What can faith do?

Faith, backed by the will of God can do enormous things. We can move mountains; we can overcome impossible obstacles, when we have faith.
Luke 17:5-6
The apostles said to the Lord, "Show us how to increase our faith." The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, `May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you!”

How do we get it?

God gives us a measure of faith. God gives some a gifting of “special faith” that goes above and beyond anything we can produce. When we are saved, by God’s grace; it is through faith. So if you are saved, then you know you have some faith that you can now grow.
Romans 12:3
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
1 Corinthians 12:9
The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.
Ephesians 2:8-9
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

How do we get more?

After receiving the initial measure of faith from God, we grow our faith by studying God’s word, through fellowship with others that are after the same thing we are (growing closer to God). We can grow our faith through prayer and praise (worship).
2 Thessalonians 1:3
Dear brothers and sisters, we can't help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.
Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Can you loose faith?

We can loose faith through things we do and say. If we are lazy, or gossip; if we listen to lies and partial truths; if we do not seek God and fellowship with other Christians, then we can loose our faith faster than we grew it.
2 Timothy 2:15-19
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The LORD knows those who are his," and "All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil."

Where do I get help?

Our help comes from the Holy Spirit. This help can come directly by us seeking Him in prayer and praise or through us reading the Bible. This help can also come indirectly though other Christians as we fellowship with other believers at church our in small groups or even just going to a movie or getting coffee.
2 Timothy 1:12-14
That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return. Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up.
Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

What is not faith?

Broadly speaking, anything that is defined as sin is not faith. More specifically, doubt, fear, doing something you have personally been convicted not to do is not faith.
Romans 14:23
But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

What will God look for in the end?

Without faith we cannot please God. Faith is what He will be looking for in each of us when He returns. God is looking to give each of us a free gift of salvation, which we cannot receive without faith. He wants to use us, once we are saved, to share this good news with everyone we interact with, to allow them the opportunity to be saved and to grow our faith, so we may be used for larger and larger accomplishments for the glory of God.
John 20:26-27
Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you," he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!"
Hebrews 11:6
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Luke 18:8b
I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?"
Romans 4:16
So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham's. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.