What Does the Bible Say About Faith

Throughout the Bible there are many examples where God shows Himself to be faithful. Although sometimes it was not possible for the individuals to see God’s plan working, we can look back through those thousands of years that have gone by and see His steadfastness. Every day we are witness to the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. The seasons continue faithfully year after year, day and night do not cease. God has not abandoned us. He is there faithfully waiting, not willing that any should perish.

Faith in God is not weakness. It is strong confidence based on what we know of God. Although we cannot see Him, there is evidence of His existence in creation around us. Although we may not understand what He is doing in our lives, we can look at the examples of His faithfulness to Bible characters in the past and know that He is working things out for our good. But a life of faith is not an easy life where God provides us with every blessing. Faith must be tried and refined like gold. Faith brings us to God and allows Him to work with us. And we must have absolute trust in God that could never imagine He would forsake us, so that every challenge only serves to build and strengthen our faith.

Here are some of the things the Bible says about faith.

The beginning of faith:
“Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely look for him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

God will look after our basic needs:
“Don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and He will give them to you if you give Him first place in your life and live as He wants you to. So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.” (Matthew 6:31,32)

Our faith will be tried:
“… a living hope… in which you greatly rejoice, yet a little while, if need be, grieving in manifold temptations; so that the trial of your faith (being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, but being proven through fire) might be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…” (1 Peter 1:6-9)

In our trials God will be there:
“…God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

We must hear God’s Word to develop faith:
“Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

Faith must produce action in our lives:
“So, you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. You must also do good to prove that you have it. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is not faith at all — it is dead and useless.” (James 2:17)

God is faithful:
“Understand therefore, that the Lord your God is the faithful God who for a thousand generations keeps his promises and constantly loves those who love him and who obey his commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9)

Our Faith should be in God, not man:
“The Lord says: Cursed is the man who puts his trust in mortal man and turns his heart away from God. He is like a stunted shrub in the desert, with no hope for the future; he lives on the salt-encrusted plains in the barren wilderness; good times pass him by forever. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water — a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by long months of drought. Its leaves stay green and it goes right on producing all its lucious fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:5-8)

We should not even have faith in ourselves:
“If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” (Proverbs 3:4,5)

Quotations taken from The Living Bible

Article by Julie. Photo by David Rodrigo (pexels.com). Originally published February 2013.

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