Faith. It’s one of those things we hear about all the time, whether one believes in God or not. It’s usually centered on believing something will or will not happen. But for the Christian, what does the Bible say about faith?
Faith or belief is not something that is given by God. It is something that man does or has in order to please God. Hebrews 11 is based on the fundamental idea that man is personally responsible for mustering up an “obedient trust”. Obedient trust…what is that? According to Heb 11 and other illustrations throughout the Bible it is a trust that provokes a prescribed action. The best illustration would be the “trust fall”. A person believes another will catch him/her therefore, they fall according to that trust. This is exactly how faith works. God “calls” individuals through His written Word (2 Thessalonians 2:14).
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” ~ Romans 10:17
Individuals build a “faith” within that word that then inspires obedience. In turn, the written Word can generate faith in the individual (Romans 10:17).
Rom 10:14-17 illustrates this exact sequence: (1) the preacher preaches; (2) the individual hears the preached word; and (3) the individual believes.
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Then, as referenced by Heb 11:6, an obedient trust then causes man to act within God’s prescribed specifications, aka God’s Word.
So without a daily feasting on the Word of God, faith (or obedient trust) will be weak and/or lacking.
—
Jamia E.
Christian. Wife. Mother. Educator. Model. Actress.
Lord, give me the wisdom to navigate through this life all to your glory.
James 3:13-18
Growing Sunflowers 