What is faith? Faith is often heard in churches and conversations among Christians. But do we really know what faith means?
Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command so that what is seen is not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11: 1 and 3).
Faith is based on the person of Jesus Christ, the source of Truth. For Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
God has given everyone a measure of faith. That means that the level of each person’s faith differs from that of another. You may have little faith while the other might have more faith than you do. But whatever the case, whatever measure you’ve been given, we each have to nurture it for God’s glory and our benefit.
A story depicts this example:
A boy was demon-possessed and the disciples couldn’t drive him out. When the boy’s father came to Jesus for healing, Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him and was healed at that moment. Then the disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” Then Jesus 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 is impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:14-20).
A mustard seed is the smallest seed of all, and Jesus said that if we have faith like a grain of mustard seed, we can move the mountain from its place. This doesn’t mean the actual mountain, though God can do that, but this could be referred to as sickness, habit, attitude, or anything that holds you back. If you put your faith towards your healing, change in habit or attitude and you ask it in Jesus’ name with faith that He will do it without any doubt in your heart, then He will do it. Your faith should not be in yourselves but in the Lord who will do the work on your behalf.
Why should we have our faith in God alone?
Let us examine God’s attributes who is the object of our faith and devotion:
1. Omniscient – God is all-knowing. He knows the end from the beginning. The psalmist said that God’s understanding has no limit. (Psalm 147:5). The riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God are so deep. His judgments are unsearchable and his paths are beyond tracing out (Romans 11:33).
2. Omnipotent – God is all-powerful. Nothing is impossible for Him. Job 42:2 says God can do all things; no purpose of His can be thwarted. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. (Genesis 18:14).
3. Omnipresent – God is everywhere. He is not contained in one location. Proverbs 15:3 says that the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. God is both far and near. No one can hide in secret places that the Lord can’t see them. He fills both heaven and earth.
4. Immutable – The Lord changes not. He is God from everlasting to everlasting. He existed before the mountains were brought forth and even before the earth and the whole world was formed (Psalms 90:2).
5. Holy – There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God (I Samuel 2:2). When God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush God told Him, “Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God (Exodus 3:5-6).
6. Righteous – The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does (Psalm 145:17).
7. Sovereign – God’s sovereignty represents his holy will and will do whatever he pleases. This is the attribute by which He rules his entire creation being all-knowing and all-powerful. In His Word, God declares: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me… I say: ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'” (Isaiah 46: 9-10). The sovereignty of God is infinite, and the use of His power is defined by His other attributes. Characteristics such as truthfulness, goodness, faithfulness, righteousness, and love define God’s every action. While we are given free will and can make choices and decisions that shape our lives, we can surrender our hearts, souls, and minds to ways that are consistent with His holy will. In this way, we honor the Creator and Sustainer of all things, recognizing that God is truly sovereign.
8. Love – God is love. This is exemplified at the cross in Calvary. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). We only have a glimpse of His love but can’t fully comprehend the depth and height of God’s love for us.
9. Merciful – It is through God’s mercy that we are not consumed. God did not give us what we deserved as sinners but offered a way of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-5).
10. Trinity – God manifests Himself in three distinct persons: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. All three are a hundred percent fully God. Romans 1:7 speaks of the Father; Hebrews 1:8 refers to the Son, Jesus Christ. And the verses that speak about the Holy Spirit are Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22 and John 14:26.
With these incredibly wonderful attributes of God, it sure makes sense to put our trust in God alone.
If you still have some doubt about it, let Romans 10:17 speak to you.
Romans 10:17
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Knowing the Lord through His Word every day is the proven way to improve your faith. So, gear up and dig deep and enjoy the journey.
