Have you ever had someone come up to you and ask you what faith you are? We all have it and we use it to differing degrees on our daily walk. What I mean is that when you get into your car, you have faith that it will get you to where you are going. When you sit in a chair, you have faith that it will hold you and not collapse. You trust the carpenter who made the chair that he knew how to build it.
Webster's Dictionary explains faith as (allegiance to duty or a person, also belief and trust in and loyalty to God.)
The New Ungers Bible Dictionary explains faith as (Belief or trust-especially in a higher power. The fundamental idea in Scripture is steadfastness and faithfulness.)
When God was speaking to the prophet in the Old Testament book of Habakkuk;2:4 (Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by faith.) So we are going to live our life by faith.
[Miracle of Healing]
When the woman who had been hemorrhageing for twelve years seen Jesus, she touched His cloak saying Matthew;9:21-22(for she was saying to herself, "If I only touch His garment, I will be made well." But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well," At once the woman was made well.) So touching Jesus's garment isn't what healed her, it was her faith in Him that made her well. She had faith in Jesus that He could save her.
We want our trust and faith in Jesus to be strong and not wavering. When Jesus was talking ot Peter, He said in Luke;22:31-32("Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.")
[The Word of Faith Brings Salvation]
How are they going to hear these words of faith. Romans;10:15(How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!) So someone has to tell us the Word. Romans;10:17(So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.) So we have Faith that Jesus is who He says He is, and then we have to Believe that he is God and has the power to Save us from our sins.
Hebrews;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.)
Ephesians;2:8(For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.) What a great gift we have from God the Father that He would send God the Son down to earth to die in our place for our sins.
[Shield of Faith]
In the book of Ephesians we are told about the Armor of God of which the shield of faith is part. Why do we need it? Ephesians;6:12(For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.) So you better have a strong shield of faith in God.
We are instructed in Ephesians;6:13-17(Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH THE TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.)
So now what is our faith? Hebrews;11:1(Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.) If you look in Hebrews chapter 11 you will see many illustrations of mens and womens faith.
[Author of Faith]
Who is the author? Hebrews;12:2(fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.) So all our faith has to be in Jesus, and His sacrifice on the cross for our sins. He is the only way to heaven.
[Outcome Of Our Faith]
1Peter;1:9(obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.) It doesn't get explained any better than that. I pray that you have that faith. And if you don't, then ask God to increase your faith so that you have assurance of your salvation. Give your life to Jesus before it is too late.
God Bless You!
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