The Importance of Faith

FaithThe Scriptures tell us that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the trust in God as the “rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is the determination to obey the Lord (Romans 1:5; 16:26). Faith does not come by God miraculously giving it to us through some direct, divine action. Rather, “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

We might understand from the above passages what faith is, what faith does, and what the source of faith is; but why does this matter? What is the point of believing God, trusting God, and obeying His word? Why is faith important?

In this article, I would like to briefly consider several reasons why faith is important so that we might be motivated to “live by faith” (Romans 1:17; Galatians 2:20; 3:11; Hebrews 10:38).

Faith allows us to please God – The Hebrew writer said, “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” (Hebrews 11:6). At the beginning and end of the chapter, the writer indicated that the examples he cited “gained approval” by faith (Hebrews 11:2, 39). Without faith, we cannot hope to gain the approval of God.

Faith leads to our justification – Paul told the saints in Rome, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). To be justified means that God pronounces us to be righteous. This does not mean that God overlooks our sins and calls us righteous in spite of them. We must practice righteousness to be righteous (1 John 3:7). But justification is possible because of the forgiveness of sins, which is inseparably tied to our faith (Matthew 9:2; Acts 26:18).

Faith allows us to be sons of God – Paul said, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26). Believing in Christ gives us “the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). This occurs when we are “born again” (John 3:3) and “baptized into Christ” (Galatians 3:27). This opportunity to become children of God is not limited to a certain group of people, but is open to all (Galatians 3:28; Mark 16:15-16).

Faith lets Christ dwell in our hearts – Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians was that “Christ may dwell in [their] hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:17). As it is with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Christ dwells in us, not directly, but through the word. Paul told the brethren in Colossae, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you…” (Colossians 3:16). As the word of God – the source of faith (Romans 10:17) – is in our hearts (Hebrews 8:10), Christ dwells in our hearts as well.

Faith gives us understanding – Men often wonder where they came from. When they reject God, they can never adequately answer the question about our origins. Yet Christians have understanding through faith. “By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3). No human being was present at the beginning of the universe. Therefore, the best man can do is come up with theories. However, if we accept God in faith, we can understand where we came from and how everything came to be.

Faith is the standard by which we live – Jeremiah acknowledged a universal truth – man, on his own, is lost. “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). However, through faith we have direction. Paul told the brethren in Corinth, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). While the worldly man will live his life without any lasting purpose, Paul said, “The righteous man shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).

Faith gives us stability – Not only does faith point us in the right direction, it also gives us stability (Colossians 2:5). Paul wrote, “Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed…” (Colossians 2:7). Faith causes us to be established. Again, since faith comes by hearing the word (Romans 10:17), we are established as we follow what we were “instructed.” At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus contrasted two men – one who followed the Lord’s instructions and another who did not. When the storm came, the first man’s house stood firm while the second man’s house fell (Matthew 7:24-27). With faith, we have a firm foundation in the midst of the storms of life.

Faith is a shield to protect us – When Paul instructed the Ephesians to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11), one of the pieces of armor he described was “the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). Satan is always looking for one who is vulnerable to attack (1 Peter 5:8). Yet Peter admonished, “Resist him, firm in your faith” (1 Peter 5:9). The stronger our faith, the better we will be able to defend ourselves against the temptations that come our way.

Faith gives us victory over the world – John wrote, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). The world in this verse does not refer to the physical creation, but to that which is opposed to God and His spiritual kingdom. James warned that “friendship with the world is hostility toward God” (James 4:4). While the influence of the world may often seem strong, it is only temporary. Earlier in his first epistle, John wrote, “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). Victory is through Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). We are victorious with Him through faith.

Faith saves us – In the end, if we remain faithful to the Lord, Peter said, “The outcome of your faith [is] the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:9). Paul reminded Timothy that the Scriptures give us “wisdom that leads to salvation through faith” (2 Timothy 3:15). Paul told the Ephesians, “By grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). This, of course, is not “faith only” as the denominational world asserts (James 2:24); it is an obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 16:26). Without this obedient faith, we cannot be saved (Hebrews 5:9; James 2:26; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).

Understanding its importance, let us resolve to “live by faith” each day of our lives.


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Comments

  1. Wayne D. Teel says

    Andy,

    I have been having an exchange all week with a man who insists we are saved by “faith only” and I continue to press him to show me the verse that teaches “faith only.” He can’t do it even though he has actually sent me references to every place the word “faith” shows up in the New Testament. I thought your article on faith would be something he needs to read so I am going to forward it on to him.

    You have a very good article here and I appreciate the good points about faith that you have put together.

  2. Thanks, Wayne. That is common. People read “faith” in the Bible and immediately think “faith alone” because that’s what they’ve grown up with. Yet the only time “faith alone” is used in the Bible is in James 2:24. But that verse clearly says we’re NOT saved by faith alone.