Daily Devotional: What is Faith?

Faith is one of the most talked about items in Christianity. There is only one verse that gives us a definition of faith. Heb 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Is all faith the same? To answer this question, we need only look at Jesus’s words. Mat_6:30, "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!”  On several occasions, Jesus rewarded people with a large amount of faith. Mat_9:22, “But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." At once the woman was made well.”

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Heb 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

In Hebrews 11, we find out that faith is what justified our forefathers. Noah was justified by following God’s wishes. Heb 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

By faith Abraham followed God’s wishes. Heb 11:8-10, “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9  By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10  for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

By faith Moses followed God’s wishes. Heb 11:24-29, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25  choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26  considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 27  By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. 28  By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29  By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.”

The list goes on but you see the point. Our ancestors faith led them to follow God’s wishes. It was not their works that justified them. Their works were produced out of their faith. It was the faith that justified them. Faith is what leads us to trust that God will keep his promises to us. Without faith then it is impossible to cultivate the traits that allow us to lead a God centered life.