◄ Why Faith ? - Man’s Nature and Destiny (28) ►

A Study:- Man’s Nature and Destiny

Faith is the substance of things hoped for – the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11.1

Need For Faith

Throughout the pages of Scripture, we are been pointed towards the need for faith. Faith in the threefold work of the Holy Spirit in us and through us:-1) Saving our spirits. 2) Sanctifying our souls. 3) Serving through our bodies.

Initial Salvation

Faith is necessary for the initial salvation of the spirit. We are saved by grace, God’s wonderful grace – but it is through faith. God so loves… that whosoever believes shall be saved… John 3:16, for salvation, is being born of the Holy Spirit and is accessed through faith.

Spiritual Growth

Once a man is saved, faith must grow and develop through child-training. Faith is needed for salvation, for sanctification, and for service and faith is essential if we are to please God in our daily living. Faith is necessary for the continuing salvation of the soul. Faith is required for holiness.. sanctification – for growing in grace. Faith is needed for a life that is being conformed into the image of Jesus, for maturing and sanctification is by the power of the Holy Spirit.. and is accessed through faith:-

Christian Life

Faith is necessary for living the Christian life. Faith is critical in averting our sight away from current circumstances and faith is equally critical in recognising our present position “in Christ,” – for we are seated together with Him in heavenly places. We must believe this truth – by faith. The writer to the Hebrews climaxed the great need for faith in his eleventh chapter, reminding us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Heb.11:6

Old Testament Faith

All the prophets of old pointed to the One that was promised to come, and a remnant believed and passed the baton of faith down through the generations. Habakkuk put into words what others had expressed in prophecy: the just shall live by his faith. Hab.2:4. Habakkuk put into words what Abraham demonstrated in his life: Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.Rom.4:3

New Testament Faith

Paul, that great apostle to the church, reminds us to live by faith and not by sight, demonstrating that in this church age our badge must be faith – faith working through love: for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Gal.5:6. Paul also cautions us that faith without love is of little account. We read: though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1Cor.13:2. And the thunder of this truth resounds through Romans – Galatians – Hebrews. The JUST shall Live by Faith. The Just shall LIVE by Faith. The Just shall Live by FAITH.

Faith in Hebrews 11

Faith is certainly an important element in this Christian life. Faith is a vital quality in life that we just can’t afford to be without. Faith grows by believing God’s Word. Without faith, we cannot begin the Christian life. Without faith, we are not able to continue the Christian life. Without faith, we are not in a position to live the Christian life: for without faith, it is impossible to please God. Heb.11:6. Life’s circumstances can never influence our heavenly position in Him, but we must reckon it to be so as.. we must yield to the Spirit’s leading – we must remove all the doubt that hinders our faith.

Faith in Action

Faith does not shrink back through a furtive imagination or unfounded worry. Trust is not an intellectual exercise or mentally accepting some statement. Belief does not require any visible reassurances or concrete guarantees: faith is the substance of things hoped for – the evidence of things not seen Heb.11.1. Faith is the attitude of the soul that trusts the Word of God. Faith is the action of the will that believes what Scripture says. Faith is the decision of the mind that think on these things – and to act on the truth of the Bible. Trust requires a believer to accept God’s Word without reservation. Belief is a decision of the will to live on the truth of God’s promises.

Faith and Forgiveness

But what of forgiveness of the sins that I commit during my Christian life? John tells us that post-salvation sins need to be confessed before God. Pardon is offered on the condition of confession – confessing our sins to Him – and I need faith to accept His forgiveness. Post-salvation forgiveness is dependent on confession. I need to trust His word. In 1John 1:9 we read that: if we (we who are saved) confess our sins (our post-salvation sins), He is faithful and just to forgive us our (post-salvation) sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (all known and unknown unrighteousness). If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. 1John 1:9

Faith and Peace

I need to believe what God says and I need to trust what He means! I need to thank Him for His blessed gift and rejoice in His loving forgiveness, or I live life chained and entrapped behind a prison door of guilt, doubt, and disbelief. Faith is crucial for it unlocks our heart to God’s forgiveness. Peace with God is the free gift to all believers, but what of the peace OF God? What of the peace that I have been promised during my Christian life? How do I access this additional peace of God in my everyday walk? Peace with God is unconditional, for those that believe, but the Peace OF God has conditions. Peace is offered to the mind that is stayed on Him and focused on Him: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in Thee. Isa.26:3

Faith and Love

I must centre my mind on Him and trust in His immutable Word. I must believe what He promises, accept His gifts and refuse to be anxious, or I live a defeated life.. a life where I see the condition of my problems, instead of my position as a blood-bought son of the Highest – seated in heavenly places.. accepted in the Beloved. And this sort of trust opens up our hearts to receive these precious promises. If love is offered and unconditional love is given, why must I doubt? For doubt erects a barrier to His overwhelming love. Doubt places a cloud over His ever-shining love toward us. Jesus said: as the Father has loved Me, so I love you. Abide in My love; remain in my love – rest in my love. Should we not believe what the Lord Jesus clearly tells us in and through His Word?

Importance of Faith

Faith can be summed up in the following way: Faith is the soul resting in the Word of God. Faith is the heart acting upon the promises of God. Faith is the secret to a rewarding Christian life that triumphs. Faith is the prerequisite to pardon, peace; purity, and power. Faith is the root that renounces guilt, worry impurity, and weakness. Faith is a key that unlocks our hearts to God’s love. How important is FAITH in accessing all He has promised us – His children. How essential is TRUST in receiving all He wants to do in us and through us. How vital is BELIEVING His Word and what He tells us – for this delights His heart – for without faith it is impossible to please God. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in thee. Isa.26:3