Faith has always been the mark of a disciple of Jesus. The early disciples were known as BELIEVERS. Jesus said:
“… Everything is possible for him who believes” Mark 9:23
Faith means total dependence on God. When Adam sinned, he stepped out of God-dependence into in-dependence (which is unbelief). This is the reason God has placed such a high priority on faith. Faith is the way we come back into relationship with God (God-dependence).
This dependence on God is called faith. Faith advances you beyond your five senses of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching. Faith releases you from your limited capacities. By faith you move from in-ability to His-ability.
This is the walk of faith to which all of us are called – where “nothing is impossible” Matthew 17:20.
A. WHAT IS FAITH
Faith is the act of obedience that comes from responding to God’s guidance. Genuine faith manifests itself through 1) obedience and 2) action, stemming from 3) listening to God’s Word (voice).
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1.
Faith embodies trust, assurance, and confidence in another individual or their words. When we have faith in God, we essentially trade our self-reliance for trust in Him. We release our dependence on our limited understanding and begin to draw from His boundless wisdom.
B. TWO KINDS OF KNOWLEDGE
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on MEN’S
WISDOM, but on God’s power. We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s SECRET WISDOM, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began” 1Corinthians 2:2-7 See also verses 8-16.
1. Sense Knowledge
Natural man acquires knowledge primarily through the five senses—sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch—which serve as gateways to understanding the world. However, this sensory reliance can lead to a limited perspective, often termed “man’s wisdom,” as it shapes beliefs based on subjective experiences and may distort reality.
This recognition of the limitations of sensory knowledge encourages the pursuit of deeper truths beyond mere observation. It invites exploration of intuition, reason, and spiritual insight, suggesting that true wisdom goes beyond sensory experiences and requires a deeper engagement with existence.
2. Revelation Knowledge
This understanding does not stem from the five senses or from natural reasoning, but rather from a different source – the TRUTH found in the Word of God. It is perceived through the spirit of humanity and is referred to as ‘God’s Wisdom.’
“We live by faith, not by sight” 2Corinthians 5:7
C. THE BASIS OF FAITH
The basis of having faith in God is in three important realities:
1. The Nature Of God
“When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself.” Hebrews 6:13
a. He does not change.
“I the Lord do not change… ” Malachi 3:6 See also James 1:17.
b. He does not fail.
“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted” Job 42:2 See also 1Chronicles 28:20.
c. He does not lie.
“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?” Numbers 23:19
See also Titus 1:2.
2. The Redemptive Work Of The Son Of God
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2
Christ has become the foundation of our faith in God. His death and resurrection serve as the basis for our belief.
“… Christ Jesus… has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” 1Corinthians 1:30 See also Romans 5:1-2.
3. The Word Of God
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” Matthew 24:35 See also Isaiah 40:8.
“The Lord said to me, ‘… I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled’” Jeremiah 1:12
His Word endures eternally. Faith arises when God delivers a particular message—selected from all He has ever spoken—specifically tailored to our situation. When communicated in this manner, the Word of God becomes vibrant and active within us, empowering our faith.
D. HOW FAITH WORKS
The principle of faith, as highlighted in Romans 3:27, should be a constant presence in our lives regardless of our circumstances (refer to 2 Corinthians 5:7 and James 1:5-6). It functions in the following manner:
1. God Gives Us Faith
“For in the Gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from the first to the last, just as it is written: ‘”The righteous will live by [HIS] faith’” Romans 1:17 See also Habakkuk 2:4 NIV.
The righteous are sustained by the faith that He bestows upon us as a gift.
“For by grace are you saved through faith, it is the gift of God … ” Ephesians 2:8-9 “… according as God has dealt to every man … faith” Romans 12:3
2. Faith Comes By A Word From God
To begin with, God encourages us through a word that he speaks to our specific situations. This guidance comes through the Holy Spirit, who communicates within your spirit as you engage with the Bible or listen to sermons and teachings of God’s Word.
“… faith comes from hearing the word, and is heard through the word of Christ” Romans 10:17
See also Genesis15:3-5; 17:15-21; Joshua 1:8.
3. Obedience To The Word
For faith to operate in our situation, we must obey that word. Faith is ACTIVE, not passive. Most of God’s promises are conditional – He will do His part, if we do our part.
“… faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” James 2:17 See James 1:22-25; Genesis15:6; Matthew 7:24-27.
4. The Crisis Or “Trial Of Our Faith”
This is a period of testing. Everything happening around us appears contrary to what God has said, and there seems to be no natural evidence for our believing. At this point, out faith rests completely on God’s Word (what He has spoken to us).
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed” 1Peter 1:6-7 See also Romans 4:16-21; Psalms 105:17-19.
In faith we cast ourselves on HIS FAITHFULNESS. In our times of doubt and struggle, God is faithful and does not abandon us.
“If we believe not, he abides faithful. He cannot deny himself” 2Timothy 2:13
He was unwaveringly loyal and steadfast in his support for Thomas and Peter during the challenging moments when their faith was put to the ultimate test. In times of doubt and uncertainty, when they struggled to believe and remain hopeful, he stood by them resolutely. Jesus, embodying compassion and understanding, did not turn his back on them in their moments of weakness. Instead, he offered guidance and reassurance, reminding them of the strength of their beliefs and the depth of their purpose. In the face of trials and tribulations, he exemplified the true essence of friendship and loyalty, illustrating that even in the darkest hours, one does not have to confront their fears alone. Through his presence, he provided a beacon of light, demonstrating that faith can persevere through doubt, and that love and support can uplift even the heaviest of hearts. Jesus’ unwavering commitment to them reaffirmed the bond they shared and encouraged them to rise above their challenges, fostering a renewed sense of determination and faith.
“He will never leave us nor forsake us” Hebrews 13:5
5. The Result
The end result is always victory on the part of the believer, bringing glory to God.
See also James 1:2-4, 12; Genesis 21:1-3; Psalms 105:19-22; Acts 3:16; Hebrews 6:13-15.
“… for everyone born of God has overcome the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” 1John 5:4
Today, I choose to embrace a life of faith and place my trust in God across all aspects of my existence. I recognize my necessity to be fully reliant on Him—this is faith in practice. In times of trouble, challenges, and hardships, I will depend on His unwavering faithfulness. God's response will be His grace—His empowering presence. I will also guide others to trust in God's faithfulness and to walk in faith with Him.
