Apr 25, 2014

What does the Bible says about "Faith"?

 Faith may be a little word, but it has tremendous significance to you!

In the Old Testament, we read that "6Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.(Genesis 15)". Now that is powerful, ...that an expression of Faith can make one righteous before a holy God?  As we study Chapter 1 of 2 Thessalonians, we see how thrilled Paul is as he sees evidence of their growing faith.  Why did Paul express such excitement?  I believe Paul knows the Thessalonians are becoming fully committed to God's plan for their lives after believing in Christ. Seeing the change in their lives in response to their faith in God, is fulfilling to Paul.


In the well-known "Faith" chapter in Hebrews we are reminded of what Faith is defined as, and it's significance:  "1Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1).

6And 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)

Perhaps you are going through a time in your life where you need a little reminder of things that are accomplished by Faith?  ...not faith in Faith, but rather Faith in God!  Read Hebrews 11.

I paged through my New Testament and wrote down a few different passages of scripture where there are direct references to Faith.    I soon learned how significant Faith is to God and the value that God puts on Faith.  Here is what I found:

God "categorizes" Faith
·         "little faith"   (Luke 12:28)
·         in a storm..."you of little faith"  (Matt 8:26)
·         little faith = Fear (Fear is the antithesis of faith here)
·         "great faith"  (Luke 7:9)
·         Centurion's Servant Healed = "great faith" (Matt 8:10)
Faith "saves us"
·         "Your Faith has saved you" -Jesus talking to the sinful women  (Luke 7:50)
Jesus "sees Faith"
·         Paralytic man healed - (Luke 5:20) when Jesus saw their faith.
Jesus honors even "small" amounts of Faith
·         Matt 17:20 -with Faith as a small mustard seed, Nothing will be impossible
Faith in Jesus heals you!
·         "Receive your sight, your Faith has healed you" Luke 18:42
·         "your faith has healed you" - to women with the issue of blood  (Luke 8:42)
Jesus questions us about our Faith
·         "Where is your Faith" (Luke 8:24)
Without Faith it is Impossible to Please God
·         6And 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)
God gives the gift of Faith
·         (Romans 12:6)
How does Faith come to us?
·         Faith comes by hearing...and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)

No comments:

Post a Comment