Let’s examine faith for a season and see what it is and how it applies to our lives

as ones who have made the decision to believe in God and who have made the

determination to want to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

A few times in the bible, it says that the “just” shall live by faith. It sounds

important.

Who are the “Just?”

The Just – are people that have made the determination that…I will live my life for

God and everything that I do will line up with the commands that God has set in

my life according to the written word, the Bible, and the spoken Word, as led by

the Holy Spirit, who God has given to us.

Now we must define “Faith”.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The Amplified Bible explains it best.

Hebrews 11:1 (AMPC)

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, (the title deed) of the things [we]

hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their

reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]

Faith can see what others cannot see. Faith can handle circumstances, situations,

and problems that others cannot deal with. We make a final decision that we

have faith in God, knowing what I am believing for, has already happened when I

believe.

The world would call you crazy, but God would be smiling!

Hebrews 11:6 (AMPC)

But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For

whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and

that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

I learned some time ago that I cannot live off someone else’s faith. I must build

and develop my own faith in God and what He has declared to me. It takes time

and determination to build a relationship with God. How can you trust someone

you do not know? Trust is built with time and relationship. Trust and faith go

hand in hand.

When we build normal relationships, we talk to one another in person, on the

phone, through the computer, or even a letter. You begin to know their voice

laugh at their jokes and know what they like or don’t like. You know their

moods when they are angry, sad, or happy. You get to the place where you look

forward to hearing their voice and spending time with them. It is the same way

with God.

Just like a letter is just a person talking on paper. It is the same way with the

Bible. God has given His words to men to place on paper for all to read and follow

as instruction and words of encouragement or even warning or correction.

We all have some form of faith, whether it is in a person, a system, a thing or

God. Most faith has been tested out and proven to be trustworthy. All faith starts

with the simple release of your heart to believe. With time and steady consistency,

your faith grows and becomes more and more secure.

Our faith in God comes by hearing the Word of God consistently. Reading and

spending time hearing His voice and understanding more and more who He is

and who He is to us. He speaks to you in His Word (His Letter to us) to you. Just

like spending time with people builds trust and faith, spending time with God (in

the Word, in prayer and in worship) does the same thing.

Romans 10:17 The Message (MSG)

14-17 But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how

can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted?

And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell

them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims,

A sight to take your breath away!

Grand processions of people

telling all the good things of God!

But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked

what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone

listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to

listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to.

Let’s keep building our faith!

Next week: Faith 101: “Your Faith Can Move Mountains”