Faith and True Understanding

What is our Christian faith and how do we get the true understanding of how faith works in our lives? How do we structure and build upon faith as to become strong to the point of maturity? Let us go through a journey of faith to get the true understanding of how faith can work in our lives with a good outcome due to the blessings from God.

Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld. It coveys the idea of something that underlies visible conditions and guarantees a future possession. Faith is, therefore, the basis for hope and the evidence for conviction concerning unseen realities. The entire body of truths delivered by Jesus Christ and his inspired disciples constitutes the true Christian faith.

Hope is essential for the Christian faith; it is the groundwork and basis for our faith. (Heb 11:1) In turn, faith makes the hope brighter and stronger. The apostle Paul, in order to strengthen Christians, cites the fine example of Abraham. When Abraham and his wife Sarah were, from a human standpoint, beyond the hope of having children, it is said: “Although beyond hope, yet based on hope he had faith, that he might become the father of many nations in accord with what had been said; ‘So your seed will be.’ Abraham knew that, as far as producing children was concerned, his body and that of Sarah were “deadened.” But he did not grow week in faith. Why? “Because of the promise of God he did not waver in lack of faith’ but became powerful in faith.” (Rom 4:18-20)

The apostle then applies Abraham’s example of faith and hope to Christians, concluding: “Let us exult, based on hope of the glory of God and the hope does not lead to disappointment; because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy spirit, which was given us.” (Rom 4:18-20) By faithfulness to God, we can now sprout and flourish as “trees of righteousness,” enjoying beautiful spiritual prosperity like a “well-watered garden,” showered by bounteous blessings from God due to having His favor. (Isa 58:11; 61:3, 11)

As we explore Abraham’s Christian faith. When told to offer up Isaac, Abraham had strong faith that God would resurrect his son. He based such faith on God’s promise that it was by means of Isaac that “what will be called ‘your seed’ will be.” Gen. 21:12; says (But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.)

The evidence of Abraham’s Christian faith in the Bible record reveals that when Abraham attempted to offer up his son Isaac he had faith in God’s ability and purpose to raise the dead. And, as stated at Hebrews 11:17-19, he did receive Isaac back from the dead “in an illustrative way.: (Gen 22:1-3, 10-13) Abraham had a basis for faith in a resurrection because of God’s promise of the “seed.” (Gen 3:15)

Then the Bible goes on to call faithful men of old such as Abraham righteous. (Gen 15:6; Jas 2:21) Many of these men are listed at Hebrews chapter 11, and of them the writer says: And yet all these, although they had witness borne to them through their faith, did not get the fulfillment of the promise, as God foresaw something better for us [ spirit-begotten, anointed Christians like Paul], in order that they might not be made perfect apart from us.” (Heb 11:39- 40)

As we go through our journey of faith to get true understanding of the Christian faith, let us examine the farmer’s Christian faith. The farmer prepares his soil and sows his seed, excepting, as in previous years, that the seed will sprout and that the plants will grow as they receive the needed moisture and sunshine. Likewise, the scientist has faith in the principles of his branch of science. He bases new experiments on past discoveries and looks for new discoveries on the basis of those things already established as true. Therefore, faith in the stability of the natural laws governing the universe actually constitutes a foundation for man’s plans and activities.

In many ways, “faith follows the thing heard.” Rom 10:17 says, ( So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.) John 4:39,41, says ( And many of the Samaritans had come to Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” 41, And many more believed because of His word.)

Our Christian faith according to Jesus: Jesus on occasions, said to those who were healed, “Your faith has made you well.” Had those persons not exercised their Christian faith in Jesus, they would not have received healing for themselves. Likewise, the great faith of the army officer who entreated Jesus in behalf of his manservant rested on evidence, on the basis of which he concluded that Jesus’ merely ‘saying the word’ would result in the healing of his manservant.

Therefore, evidence for genuine conviction was also involved in the case of those who came to or who were brought to Jesus to be healed. Even if not eyewitnesses personally, they at least had heard about Jesus’ powerful works. Then, on the basis of what they saw or heard, they concluded that Jesus could heal them also. Moreover, they were acquainted with God’s Word and thus were familiar with the miracles performed by the prophets in times past.

However, we note that Jesus healed all who came to him, not requiring their Christian faith to be greater or less according to their disease, nor failing to heal any of these with the excuse that he could not do it because their faith was not strong enough, as so-called “faith healers” have done. Jesus performed these healings as a witness to establish the Christian faith. In his home territory, where much unfaithfulness was expressed, he chose not to perform many powerful works, not because of inability, but because the people refused to listen and were unworthy. Matt. 13:58 says, (Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.)

Our Christian faith to true understanding. Let us continue in our journey of faith as we discover that faith is not the possession of all people, as it is a fruitage of God’s spirit. 2 Thess 3:2 says,( and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.) Gal 5:22 says ( The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.) Those lacking the Christian faith are rejected by God. Heb 11:6 says, (But 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 diligently seek Him.)

For the Christian faith to be acceptable to God, it is necessary to accept Jesus Christ, and this makes possible a righteous standing with God. Gal 2:16 says, ( Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.)

Faith is not static, but grows strong. 2 Thess 1:3 says, ( We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other.) Hence, the request of Jesus’ disciples, in Luke 17:5 ‘Give us more faith.” was very appropriate, and he did provide them the foundation to increased faith. He supplied them with greater evidence and understanding on which to base their faith.

The entire life course of a Christian is actually governed by their Christian faith, enabling them to overcome mountain like obstacles in their journey of faith, that would hinder their services to God. 2 Cor 5:7 says, (For “we walk by faith, not by sight. Matt 21:21-22 says, So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, ‘It will be done. “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” )

Our Christian faith as followers of Jesus Christ who are called to be His spiritual brothers, with the prospect of being joint heirs with Him in the heavenly kingdom (Rom 8:17), are first declared righteous by God on the basis of our faith in Jesus Christian. (Rom 3:24, 28)

God lays out the basis for us by declaring us righteous through the merit of Christ’s ransom sacrifice in which we exercise our Christian faith, acquitting us of all guilt due to sin. (Rom 5:1-2, 8-11; compare John 1:12) We are, therefore, “counted” or “credited” as being completely righteous persons, all of our sins being forgiven and not charged up against us. (Rom 4:6-8; 8:1-2; Heb 10:12, 14)

In my journey of faith, I found (Matt 14:29-31) to be one of my best scriptures to get the true understanding of the Christian faith. The disciples saw Jesus coming to them walking on the sea. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said to Peter “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when Peter saw that the wind was boisterous, he got afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand an caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, way did you doubt?”

If Peter kept himself focused on Jesus instead of looking at the boisterous wind which put fear in his mind, he would have made it to Jesus successfully. But even though Peter started to sink Jesus stretched out His hand and save him.

Through this scripture of the Christian faith, I found, by staying focused on the Lord, and not looking at the storm, I was successful in every thing that I did. And when the storm got so big to the point of where it was impossible not to take notice, I too started to lose faith through fear, just like Peter. I also cried out to the Lord through prayer, and He was always there with a stretched out hand to save me. And every time the lord save me, it caused my Christian faith to grow even stronger. For I always know that the Lord will be there without a doubt.

Believing is another strong part of our Christian faith. By believing in our Lord that all things are possible with out a doubt. We can conquer all life’s obstacles through Him. Through prayer we can rest assure that we’ll get good guidance in ever thing we do. “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matt 21:22)

We now, have the true understanding of Christian faith through God’s Words, and how it works, and how it will work in our lives. In ever thing we do, let us exercise our Christian faith as to grow and become strong. James 2:26 says, ( For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.) As we walk through our journey of faith, let us apply the works needed to mature, and let us conquer all life’s obstacles through prayer, that we may acquire God’s guidance.