What Is Faith?

This is a word we hear and use often.  Recently I heard the word used and I must say that I was concerned as to what was meant and to whom did it refer.

Merriman-Webster Dictionary tells us that faith is-

allegiance to duty or a person

When we use the word faith in a familiar religious context it is belief and trust in and loyalty to God, belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion, firm belief in something for which there is no proof.

I share these so that we can understand what we are saying as we ask the question what is faith?  These are the definitions used in defining faith to anyone who uses the word. 

It is not difficult then to see that we can have faith as defined by the dictionary in anything or anyone.  Sadly, this happens often and is a cause for concern.  Misplaced faith is something that happens and even in God’s Word we can see where faith in something other than God has painful consequences. 

1 Samual 4 provides the account of the defeat of Israel at the hands of the Philistines.  They are defeated because of their disobedience but then think that they can be victorious with a misplaced faith in having the Ark on the battlefield.  It was a misplaced faith and again they are defeated and decimated by the Philistines. Such so that the Ark is captured and taken away.

We see all too often misplaced faith and faith incorrectly defined and lived today.  Scripture not only tells us what real faith is but also provides examples of what that faith looks like in real life.

Yet, the Bible defines faith and then describes how we can understand how faith works in our lives.

Hebrews 11:1-2 NKJV says-

1 Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (confidence) of things not seen. 

2 For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good testimony.

This part of Scripture is often referred to as the Hall of Fame of Faith.  I couldn’t agree more and love to read this part of Scripture and reminded as to what faith is and what faith looks like in real life.  Because the third verse defines for us what we need to understand and that it is-

³ By faith we understand that the worlds (ages) were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

So, you might ask why I have faith and that faith is in God?  Well, first I understand that faith in God is trusting in Him.  The words of a song come to mind right now as I write to you.  He’s never failed me, He’s never failed me yet!

In my life, God has always been there and done what He does best which is love me, guide me and forgive me.  He’s never failed me.  I have failed Him and I have had to ask for forgiveness for my sin.  Knowing in faith He is faithful to forgive my sin and then cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  Based on my understanding of who He is, as revealed in the Bible.

Faith in God involves understanding the facts concerning God and thus a life-changing reliance on those facts.  We spoke about that last week in the blog “God Is God and We Are Not”.  If you missed it, be sure to read it before you leave the site today.

Let me add some context about who God is and why we place faith in Him.

If you simply reference Him by several of His names, you see who God is very clearly.  You can reference the Scriptures provided for each.

He is Elohim, the strong One, He is divine (Genesis 1:1)

He is Adonai - Lord, thus our Master-to-servant relationship (Exodus 4:10, 13)

He is El Elyon – the Most High (Genesis 14:20)

He is El Roi - the strong One who sees (Genesis 16:13)

He is El Shaddai - Almighty God (Genesis 17:1)

He is El Olam - Everlasting God (Isaiah 40:28)

He is Yahweh - LORD “I AM,” this defines that He is the eternal, self-existent God (Exodus 3:13, 14)

So where does faith come from?  Does it simply pop up at some point in our lives?  Well, God’s Word tells us where faith comes from and it is found in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome.  Specifically, the people of Israel in chapter 10 verse 17 using the NKJV-

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I hope you avail yourself to the hearing of God’s Word regularly.  Of course, most often we think of worship each week.  Time together with other believers singing songs and hymns of the faith.  Praying and offering tithes and offerings unto the Lord.  Listening to the preaching of God’s Word. 

Like you I listen often to His Word as it is shared.  Worshipping and praising the Lord with others then hearing the Pastor speak from the Word.  There are times like you when I hear a message online or on the radio. There is nothing like the preaching of God’s Word because it is by hearing that faith comes.  I am humbled when the Lord provides me an opportunity to preach.  These next two weeks I will have that opportunity and am looking forward to it.

Faith grows as we listen and read The Word.  As we meditate on it and prayerfully consider what God is saying to us.  Over 1,500 years, 40 different contributing authors, languages that are not all the same, God and in it, revealed Himself to us though the Word.

Too often man has and still will trust in himself or at least tries to, but it is always in failure.  When man puts faith in anything or anyone but God it leads to failure.  The list is long and troublesome to consider of the failures of man in trusting in anything or anyone but God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV always come to mind-

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct (make smooth or straight) your paths.

I read earlier this week from the Gospel of John chapter 1 NKJV-

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

The Word John refers to is Jesus Christ.  He is the Word in which we believe unto faith so that we will have the eternal life He said is available.

Don’t miss it and when you get it be sure to share it with others.  Let others see and hear Christ in you.  Let your faith be evident to all so that God is glorified and seen.

In God’s Grace,

Elbert Nasworthy