I'm beginning a new series called 'Back to Christian Basics.' In this series, we'll thoroughly explore each topic from a biblical perspective to strengthen our relationship with Jesus.
We begin with the basics of Christianity, and the second topic is 'Faith’ Let’s Explore what Faith is.
What is Faith ?
Faith serves as the foundation of Christianity, the essential element that unlocks our connection with Christ. It distinguishes between those who believe and those who do not, forming the bedrock upon which Christian life is built.
Given the significant emphasis on faith, as the Scripture states, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) 'And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. '
What do we mean Faith ? - Faith is associated with the following belief
1) Jesus is the Lord - Jesus Christ is the Lord, and His name means "Savior of people from sin." There is no other way to find redemption from sin except through Him. Matthew 1:21 (NIV) '.. you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” '
Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV) 'that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. '
2) Jesus died for our Sins - The idea that Jesus Christ died for our sins, including mine and yours, and that He defeated death, now sitting at God's right hand, is a fundamental belief. Galatians 1:3-4 (NIV) N'Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, '
3) Jesus Conquered Death - Jesus defeated death to guarantee us eternal life. That's why when you're in Jesus, your soul or spirit never experiences death; it lives forever. 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 (NIV) - 'For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. ' 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 (NIV) 'For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” '
4) Victory over Sins - Through the Holy Spirit's power and the blood of Jesus, we triumph over sin. 1 John 1:7 (NIV) 'But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. '
So its important to have this belief "Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
Spiritual blessing that comes along with Faith
Once you have the Faith in Jesus Christ. He credits us with five key things
1) Grace - Grace is a crucial aspect of God's nature, intimately tied to his kindness, love, and mercy. It can be described as "God's kindness to those who don't deserve it" or "God's generosity to those who haven't earned it." Through His grace, God is ready to forgive us and shower us with blessings, even though we haven't earned or deserved such treatment.
Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) 'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— '
2) Righteousness - The Bible portrays a righteous individual as someone who is upright, devoted to God, and has faith in Jesus. Achieving perfect righteousness by our efforts alone is unattainable because the standard is exceedingly high. However, the good news is that genuine righteousness can be attained by humans through Jesus Christ's forgiveness of sin and the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. We are incapable of attaining righteousness by our own means.
Romans 4:3 (NIV) 'What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Hebrews 11:7 (NIV) 'By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. '
Don't think that this promise was exclusively for Abraham or Noah; our God remains constant throughout time—yesterday, today, and forever. The same promise applies to us too.
Romans 3:22 'This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, '
3) Spirit of Sonship - We become part of God's family when we are saved by placing our faith in Jesus Christ, and through this faith, we are adopted as God's children. As His children, we also become heirs, sharing in God's inheritance alongside Christ, provided that we also endure hardships as He did, with the ultimate goal of sharing in His glory. Those who are saved become children of God through their faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26 'So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, '
Romans 8:15-16 (NIV) 'The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “ Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. '
Because we are His heirs, God grants us the strength to triumph over sin in the world.
1 John 5:4. (NIV) 'for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. '
Because we are His heirs, God grants us the strength to triumph over Satan (Read Snakes / Scorpions as Satan)
Luke 10:19 (NIV) 'I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. '
Because we are His heirs, God grants us the power to Bind.
Matthew 18:18 (NIV) ' “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. '
4). Spiritual Blessings - Jesus Christ desires to bestow upon us spiritual blessings that are eternal, never decaying or fading away. He freely offers these gifts according to His own will. These spiritual blessings are closely connected to our heart, soul, and mind, guiding us on the path of righteousness toward God.
Through faith, when we undergo water baptism, we receive the "Holy Spirit" as a credit to our faith and walk with him.
Matthew 3:16 (NIV) 'As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. '
Through faith, we become his disciples to receive the “Fruit of Spirit”
Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV) 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. '
5) New Heavens / New Earth - The present heavens and earth have borne the weight of God's curse due to humanity's sin. However, God intends to fashion a new heaven and a new earth, entirely untainted by sin, evil, illness, suffering, and death. It will resemble our current world but without the burden of sin's curse—a restored Eden. This new city symbolises the ultimate condition of redeemed humanity, eternally united with God in everlasting fellowship.
Revelation 21:1,4-5 (NIV) 'Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” '
Ways to Strengthen Faith
Because faith plays a significant role in our Christian journey and our spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ, it's crucial to grasp the steps we can take to fortify our faith.
1) Word of God - The Word of God is a message backed by God’s authority Matthew 4:4 'Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” '
Our Faith is strengthen more as hear (sermons) and when we read the word of God Romans 10:17 (NIV) 'Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. '
The Word is God’s breath it teaches us how to walk with God in Faith, it corrects us if we walk away from the truth of God, it trains us in the path of Righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 'All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2) Seeking God thru Prayer - Prayer holds a significant role in the life of a Christian, serving as our means to communicate with the Lord and offer Him praise. Just as Jesus frequently withdrew to pray and gain strength while on Earth, we can do the same to reinforce our faith through prayer. It's important to note that prayer isn't solely about requesting things from God; it also involves praising Him for His glory, seeking His presence, and asking for His guidance to align ourselves with His will, so that He can bless us. -
1 Thessalonians 3:10 (NIV) 'Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. '
As you Pray more, you are strengthen by Faith to receive what you ask God 1 John 5:14 (NIV) 'This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. '
3) Faith without Deeds - As we journey with God, there are often tasks He assigns to us that we put off or delay, missing out on the blessings. Frequently, what God asks of us may seem at odds with our immediate circumstances, and it's only through faith that we muster the courage to carry out His instructions. Taking that leap of faith often paves the way for numerous miracles, showcasing God's glory and ultimately leading us to a deeper connection with Christ. - James 2:14,17. (NIV) 'What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. '
E.g., Crossing of Red Sea (Faith in Action) - Moses had faith in God's command to raise his staff and stretch it over the sea to create a path for the Israelites. This faith credited him with a miraculous event, parting the sea and turning it into dry ground for the Israelites to pass through. Exodus 14:15-25
E.g., Jesus Heals a Blind Man, Jesus knew he was blind but still he asked him (“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”) to check his Faith, after his action to acknowledge the Faith, he had a miracle to have his eyes restored. Matthew 9:27-29
4) Suffering & Enduring Struggles - In the Christian journey, after having faith, we often encounter numerous challenges. These difficulties serve to bolster our faith. When we persevere and rely on God for guidance, He opens a path for us to navigate through these situations, all the while strengthening our faith in Jesus to walk through life's tough and challenging paths.
1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV) 'Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. '
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV) 'Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. '
Methods to guard against unfaithfulness
1) Watch out for the Deceptions - Satan's primary objective is to undermine our faith by tempting us towards unfaithfulness. He employs deceit to make us believe that we are on our own rather than with God. When we fall into this trap, our faith weakens. However, God doesn't abandon us in this situation; instead, He reaches out, rescues us, and restores our relationship with Him to strengthen us and help us rectify our errors.
Matthew 17:20 (NIV) 'He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” '
E.g., Peter walking in Water, his unfaithfulness led him to sink, when he cried out to God he saved him immediately. Same applies to us. Matthew 14:27-31 'But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” '
2) Spirit of condemnation vs Spirit of Conviction -
Spirit of condemnation While you navigate your path of faith, you may stumble into worldly snares that lead to sin. Satan seizes these chances to cast condemnation upon your sins, aiming to drive a wedge between you and God's love. However, remember that Christ, on the cross, bore the wrath and condemnation for all He would save. This means there is no longer any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,’). When we are condemned the spirit makes you feel hazy, hateful and hopeless.
2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (NIV) 'We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. '
Spirit Conviction In many ways, conviction stands in contrast to condemnation. Conviction offers clear guidance, being both helpful and hopeful. It brings a sense of godly sorrow that leads to repentance and ultimately joy, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) - "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." The Holy Spirit convicts you, pointing out where you've gone wrong and guiding you to correct your path to avoid falling into sin again.
3) God acts as our protective shield and assures us that He will always stand by our side, never abandoning us in any circumstance. However, when we journey in faith, Satan tries to deceive us into thinking that God has deserted us, leaving us to face our challenges alone. Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) 'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” '
Psalms 33:20 (NIV) 'We wait in hope for the Lord ; he is our help and our shield. '
4) Trust in Self - As we continue in our faith journey, we sometimes forget that our life's victories are a result of our faith in God. Satan tries to deceive us into believing that these victories are solely our own, leading to pride that can drive a wedge between our faith and God, as God disapproves of pride and arrogance. Be mindful of self-promotion and self-exaltation.
Proverbs 8:13. (NIV) 'To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speech. '
5) Forgetting the Past - Many times, we fail to express gratitude to God for the blessings we receive from Him. While on our faith journey, we often overlook the remarkable things God has accomplished in the past.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) 'give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. '
E.g., When God led the Israelites to the Promised Land, only two individuals, Joshua (son of Nun) and Caleb (son of Jephunneh), actually entered the land. The rest of the Israelites failed to appreciate all the incredible things God had done for them, even though He provided them with everything they needed, such as manna in the morning and quail like rain. Their lack of faith and disbelief prevented them from entering the Promised Land. Numbers 14:6-8 (NIV) 'Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. '
Comments