What Is Faith?

We talk a lot about faith in the church. We talk about "the faith," that is, the doctrinal truths of Christianity. We encourage each other to have faith. We acknowledge that we are saved by faith. But what is faith?

Here are some ways Baptists have defined faith:

• What is faith in Jesus Christ? Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace whereby we receive and rest upon him alone (Baptist Catechism).

• What is faith? Faith is the cordial belief of the testimony God has given us in his word (John Sutcliff, The First Principles of the Oracles of God).

• What is Faith? It is believing what the Bible tells us about Jesus, and trusting our salvation into his hands. Is this belief an act of the mind only? No; it is with the whole heart, so that we are led to love and obey Christ (James P. Boice).

• What do the Scriptures mean by faith in Christ? By faith in Christ, the Scriptures mean believing Christ to be the divine savior, and personally trusting him for our salvation (John Broadus).

• What is the meaning of faith? It is belief or confidence in the declaration of God (Henry Clay Fish).

The author of Hebrews says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). While these definitions help us to understand what faith is, that doesn't mean they make faith any easier to explain. Models can be helpful tools. They make it easier to grasp concepts more quickly.

Abraham is a great model of faith. The author of Hebrews points out, "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" (Heb. 11:8). Hebrews 11:8-19 is an amazing picture of faith. The author of Hebrews uses three events in Abraham's life to flesh out faith. He recounts Abraham's call, God's covenant with Abraham, and Abraham's test.

Through Abraham's example, we learn what faith is. Biblical faith, saving faith, is a trust that produces obedience without regard to the cost. Abraham had to walk away from his family (and inheritance), he had to face the weakness of his aging body, and he had to offer up his son. Yet, he was willing to do this because he was confident in the One who was making these demands on his life.

Abraham understood that the LORD is a holy God. He is a faithful God. He is a God with the power to do as He wills. Abraham rested in that knowledge. God's promises cannot fail. Since they cannot fail, they will not fail.

I heard it said, "Faith is taking God at his word." Can we trust God? Yes, without question. We may not understand the circumstances in which we find ourselves, but we can always trust God's providence. Have faith, friend. God is worthy of such trust.

Things Never Change, Until They Do

Have you ever had the feeling nothing is going to happen, and then something happens.  Let me speak with a bit more clarity.  Let's say that you are looking for a job.  It feels like you have put in 1,000 application and no one is calling.  Then one day, the phone rings and you have a job interview.

Prayer often feels that way.  It feels like nothing is going to happen.  We pray and we pray, and it appears that nothing is going on.  We watch, but no changes appear to be coming.  Then one day, there is a knock at the door and something happens.

Persistence in prayer is a difficult thing, because we are by nature finite creatures.  We cannot see the end of all things.  We can't seem to be figure out how it is all supposed to work out.  We want things done in our time, in our way.

When we persist in prayer, especially in light of seemingly never changing situation, it is a demonstration of faith in the faithfulness of God.  The person who repeatedly turns to the Father in prayer is expressing his unwavering belief that his prayer will be heard and answered.  

However, when we abandon prayer it reflects a frustration with situation that stems from a lack of faith.  We stop praying because we feel our prayers to be of no use, or that they are falling on deaf ears.  Thus, when we cease to pray we are calling the God's faithfulness into question.

The next time you feel that nothing is going to happen, remind yourself of the last you felt that way, and of how something unexpected did happen.  Remind yourself of the faithfulness of God, and commit yourself to tenaciously clinging to Him by faith. Persist in faith, persist in prayer.