A Word About Faith
“Now faith is the substance (or assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). We could label this Bible verse as the definition of faith.
Faith is based upon a conviction of something perceived to be true. For example, our faith in God is based on what is written in the Word of God – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
Faith acts and rests on what God says to be true – “Thus saith the Lord….” The actions of the Old Testament saints were driven by faith, as recorded for us no fewer than 15 times in Hebrews 11.
As Christians, the foundation of our faith is the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)
Faith is the vehicle by which we are saved and given eternal life, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Faith is needful for us in order to please God – “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
It is “the just man who lives by faith” – the man who has been declared righteous by God, and therefore, trusts Him. This expression is mentioned four times in the Bible –
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)
“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)
“Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” (Hebrews 10:38)
“Behold, his soul which is proud is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)
Faith governs how we live our life – “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Remember “Doubting Thomas?” Unless he saw the print of the nails, and so on, he would not believe. Here is the passage –
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:19-20; 24-29)
We Walk by Faith
We walk by faith, and, oh, how sweet
The flow’rs that grow beneath our feet,
And fragrance breathe along the way
That leads the soul to endless day.
Refrain:
We walk by faith, but not alone,
Our Shepherd’s tender voice we hear,
And feel His hand within our own,
And know that He is always near.
We walk by faith; He wills it so,
And marks the path that we should go;
And when at times our sky is dim,
He gently draws us close to Him.
We walk by faith, divinely blest;
On Him we lean, in Him we rest;
The more we trust our Shepherd’s care,
The more His love is ours to share.
And thus by faith till life shall end
We’ll walk with Him, our dearest Friend,
Till safe we tread the fields of light,
Where faith is lost in perfect sight.
We Walk By Faith by Fanny J. Crosby; Published 1885