“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God."
Hebrews 6:1 (NIV)
Biblical faith is having faith in God; surrendering our will and desires completely to His will without personal preference or us dictating anything. Faith in God is contrary to faith in the things God can do for me.
Faith in God is a wholehearted trust in God's character, His motive and His Word, no matter the outcome: God often asks us to use our faith to bring about His will.
What is Faith?
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Faith is not blind as many would wrongly say, rather biblical faith is based on the substance of our complete trust in who God is, as well as what He can and wants to do.
This confidence in God's ability increases as we continue to put our faith in God and experience His provision and faithfulness in our lives. The bigger our faith in God’s character, will and ability, the more confidently we will live a life of faith. This causes us to trust God to do even greater things than He has done in the past.
Faith is essential for salvation.
“8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Faith, our complete trust in Christ alone for salvation, is essential.
By faith we have been made righteous.
“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith!”
Romans 1:17 (NIV)
When we place our faith in Christ to save us, He not only saves us but also makes us righteous, apart from our own effort and works. God the Father has been fully satisfied with the price that Jesus paid for our sins on the cross, we need no extra payment to be made. We have been declared righteous, meaning, to be in right standing with God.
Faith pleases God.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who ‘comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
For the sincere Christian, the motivating factor should be our desire to please God, not man, seeking God's will in all we are and do. The key to pleasing God is living a life of faith in Him.
Faith obeys God.
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”
Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)
Abraham is called the father of faith. His faith in God always manifested itself in obedience to God's will and purposes.
Faith overcomes the world.
“4For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
1 John 5:4-5 (NIV)
The key to living a victorious Christian life, is having complete trust and faith in who Jesus is and what He has done for us. The way to overcome and live victorious lives as we face our weaknesses, difficult circumstances and challenges, is to have unwavering faith in God.
Faith in God is active.
“17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do... 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”
James 2:17-18, 22 (NIV)
Faith in God is not passive but active. When we have faith in God, it will inevitably manifest in good works, which will please the Father. No faith and a lack of obedience results in no fruit. Our faith makes us fruitful; internally seen in character and externally seen in the impact we have in making disciples.
How do we get Faith?
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
Romans 10:17(NIV)
Faith comes by hearing God’s word; hearing means that we respond to the Word of God by believing and obeying God's Word. The Word of God can stir internal motivation and desire, but only acting on that internal motivation and doing what God asks of us will result in lasting faith with substance. Our faith grows as we hear and obey God's Word.
QUESTIONS
Have you trusted in Christ alone for salvation?
Are you living to please God? Or to please man, or yourself?
• In which area of your life do you need to step out in faith this week? What will that look like practically?
Are you obeying God's commands, and His leading in your life?
What are you trusting God for at the moment? Personal? People? Growth?
• Which family, friends or people are you reaching out to, while you trust God for their salvation? (Refer back to your original engage list on page 27)
Engage List
1. __________
2. __________
3. __________
This Week:
• I will apply
• I will share with __________