Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would start by reviewing the things that each of us already has faith in (even in non-religious contexts). Whether we are consciously aware of it or not, we all routinely take actions or make decisions each and every day based on faith about things in everyday life over which we have no control, or about which we do not have absolute certainty. We do this based on past experience, available evidence, and personal judgment.

With regard to religious faith, we are not asked to blindly believe, or to place faith in legends or myths. We have the Bible's record of God's involvement in human affairs through documented historical events, culminating in the incarnation of Christ. Most specifically, we have its record of Christ's triumph over death through His resurrection, which is so central to faith that Paul spoke of belief in it in one's heart as one of the two points (along with the confession of Jesus as Lord) that give assurance of salvation (Romans 10:9).

If you believe the biblical accounts and are looking forward to spending eternity in God's presence (based not on any actions of your own, or on personally having already experienced it, but on the redemption that Jesus has gained for you), you are exercising faith, which you should then exhibit or reflect in your actions, in the same way that you do (as noted above) in routine, non-religious contexts in your life (Hebrews 11:1,6; James 2:26).

July 08 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Supporter Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

Belief is an act of our will agreeing that what God has said in the bible is true. Faith is putting our belief into action, by trusting Jesus Christ as our personal saviour, and surrendering our life to his Lordship, to accomplish God’s plan and purpose.

When we walk with the Holy Spirit to complete the good works that our Father in heaven has prepared in advance for us to do, we are putting our belief into action and demonstrating that our faith is genuine and authentic.

July 08 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

James Kraft Supporter 74 year old retired pipeline worker

Faith is the thing hoped for but not seen. Faith is the only requirement for salvation apart from works. Works is not faith. Faith is not works. Faith is apart from works. 

We believe what Jesus said. John 6:47. The instant we believe it of our own free will, He gives us eternal life. Romans 4:5 Justification is by faith alone apart from works. Our works can not save sinners which we all are. 

Romans 4:6 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth righteousness apart from works. Blessed is the man whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

June 26 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

We don't exercise the kind of faith that's referenced as 'Saving Faith' in our routine, non-religious, everyday walk of life. 

We point the remote at the ceiling fan and don't doubt that it'll start spinning, or we flop down carelessly in a chair without first checking to be sure that it will support our weight, and somebody will call that kind of routine trust.. faith. I've heard it described that way at least a few hundred times.

THAT AIN'T FAITH!

Faith is, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). Faith is of God. This Anonymous OP will have to be tested to arrive at the answer for which he or she searches. 

Faith is developed. Like everything else, it is born in seed form. The faith subject doesn't really trust the author of the test, but typically doesn't have another attractive offer or choice and so, will usually acquiesce. The consent is more of a non-protest than an all-out agreement. It's more 'Okay, if you say so' than 'Great, let's go for it!' 

The Father of 'Saving Faith,' Isaac's dad Abraham, got his start as an 'Okay, let's try it' baby believer. He had to be strung along by Jehovah God for his faith to gain momentum. He would have never developed to become the 'Father of the Faithful', celebrated saint that he is today had he not had to tread water for 25 years, waiting for the birth of the son God had promised to give him. IT WAS ALL OF GOD! (by the time it happened, he'd fought a small war, moved to Egypt and caused a plague, had impregnated his wife Sarai's hand maiden, and the child had reached the age of a teenager). See Genesis 12 through Genesis 22.

According to the apostle James, 'the testing of your faith produces patience. (I like to use the word 'perseverance'. It means you learn to not quit). Perseverance serves to mature the one being tested. When faith matures it's said to be complete; when faith is complete, you lack nothing.' (James 1:3, 4) That is a very bold declaration! You have all you will ever need when you have a full order of faith! 

So how do you recognize when you have this "full jacket" of faith? You'll know when you start following Jesus instead of trying to lead... "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report