This page is my Bible study on defining faith.
There is the basic definition that it is believing without seeing, but I
think there's more that connects this with our daily lives. What does this
mean for those who call themselves by
Yeshua's
title of Christ? For
Christians, it means obedience to God's Word, the Bible.
Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we
understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that
things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
This says that faith is the substance of things hoped
for, our confidence and support. Faith is the evidence of things
not seen. Evidence requires perception on our parts. Most people connect their
daily lives with what they experience during the day. In order for us to
consider something to be "evidence," we must first be able to perceive it.
When we have faith, it is the evidence to the world of what they cannot see.
Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
True faith is confidence in the Truth, written in the Word of God, that is
unwavering even to death. It has been built stronger for me through
understanding God's Word by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I hope this
study and the rest of this website my help spark some understanding of the
glories of God and lead you to a closer relationship with Him. Continuing
on...
Hebrews 11:4-6
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by
which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his
gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was
translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God
had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony,
that he pleased God.
But without faith it is impossible to please
him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith is belief that what God says, He means and is Truth. And clearly
this is true since one wouldn't seek Christ if one didn't first believe He
is. Abel's offering was acceptable to God and fit the typology of Christ's
sacrifice of blood. Enoch pleased God and was translated. In both cases,
acceptance of God and desire to please Him led to their rewards. Seek and
you will find Christ, that is the promise He has given to every one of us.
The problem today seems to be like Kent Hovind said, "People can't find God
like a thief can't find a cop." We have to want and seek relationship, that
action shows faith because we have accepted that He is in order to seek Him
out.
Hebrews 11:7-16
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet,
moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the
which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which
is by faith.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out
into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed;
and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in
the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles
with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he
looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is
God.
Through faith also Sara herself received
strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was
past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore
sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars
of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore
innumerable.
These all died in faith, not having received
the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them,
and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims
on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they
seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from
whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore
God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them
a city.
Even though Noah didn't yet see the rain, he built the ark because God
told Him to and He believed. Abraham also believed God and it was counted to
Him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:1-6 Abraham didn't know where He was going, but believed the
promise of inheritance. He never saw the fullness of that promise, but he
obeyed anyway and now we can see it. How much stronger should our faith be
in these times of prophetic fulfillment?
Hebrews 11:17-40
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he
that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom
it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God
was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he
received him in a figure.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau
concerning things to come.
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed
both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his
staff.
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of
the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning
his bones.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three
months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they
were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was
come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to
enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of
Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect
unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not
fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is
invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of
blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith
they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians
assaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down,
after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab
perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the
spies with peace.
And what shall I more say? for the time would
fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae;
of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith
subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the
mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the
sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned
to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to
life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that
they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They
were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the
sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute,
afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered
in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And
these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the
promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without
us should not be made perfect.
If we are to live by faith, does that mean we don't need to understand
doctrine? I don't believe so at all. In fact, Yeshua said about the end
times that many would be deceived.
Matthew 24:3-5 It was His first warning
when the disciples asked Him about His coming and the end of the world.
Israel's failure to obey God's Word to them brought about God's rejection of
her, we should learn from Israel's mistakes and recognize the importance of
understanding what God has to say about our existence. There are forces out
to destroy us by any means and they are much smarter and wiser and better at
deception than we are at perceiving it without understanding.
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast
rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no
priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also
forget thy children.
- Chuck Missler's presentation of scripture in 24 one-hour episodes
takes you from Genesis to Revelation in a short time revealing a
bigger picture of Bible prophecy that makes the Bible come alive and
applicable to the near future events it foretold leading to
eternity. The Bible is the Word of God and the source of our faith.
Read the Bible and get a good overview of the history book of the
Jews and the eternal Word of God for all mankind.
