Faith: A Discourse

Jun 15

15 min read

What is “FAITH”?

Is faith some abstract idea or notion that is thrown around like football? Is it something we only cling to when things go “sideways”? Perhaps for some it may be perceived as a “crutch” or a “life ring”; however it is not merely a “component” of our spiritual life, but the very atmosphere in which that life exists.

Faith is not described as a vague feeling or "blind" belief, but as a confident trust in God based on His character and promises.

Paul describes faith, as “… the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, NKJV)

Understanding Faith

To understand faith it is helpful to look at it through three lenses: trust, evidence, and action.

Faith as Trust (Assurance)

Biblical faith (pistis in Greek) implies a reliance on the reliability of another. It is often compared to a child trusting a parent; the child doesn’t need to know every detail of the plan, but they know the character of the one in charge. We don’t fully comprehend God’s plan, but we know that God is in charge.

Object of Faith: The Bible emphasizes that the strength of faith matters less than the objective of faith.

Relationship: It is a personal response to God’s revelation of Himself, moving beyond the intellectual agreement to personal trust.

Faith vs Sight (Conviction)

Faith is frequently contrasted with “sight”; while we cannot see God or the future, faith acts as a “spiritual sense” that perceives spiritual realities as being just as real as the physical one.

The Unseen: Faith acknowledges that the physical world is not the sum total of reality.

The Future: It treats God’s future promises (like justices, eternal life, or the restoration of the world) as “already” certain.

Faith as Action

Faith is never purely internal; it always produces a result. This is the central theme of James 2:17 (NKJV), which states, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Obedience: True faith is demonstrated by how a person lives. For example, Noah built an ark (75 years) because he had faith in a warning about something he had never seen (a flood).

Endurance: Faith provides the “staying power” to remain patient and courageous during trials, trusting that God is working for good even when circumstances look bleak.

Key Biblical Figures and Others Displaying True Faith

The Bible provides a “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11, highlighting several figures:

Abraham: Often called the “Father of Faith”, he left his home to travel to a land God promised him, even though he didn’t know where he was going.

Rahab: Rahab shows that faith often requires choosing sides before the battle is won. She traded her current “safety” in Jericho for a future with God’s people.

Daniel: Daniel is a unique example of faith. He lived his entire adult life in a “hostile environment.” (Babylon). He didn’t just believe in God; he lived by a different set of rules than the world around him. His faith in the lion’s den was the evidence that his God was more powerful than the king’s decree.

The Roman Centurion: He asked Jesus to heal his servant. His faith was such he told Jesus He didn’t need to come to his house. He told Jesus he had men under him and that if he told them to go they’d go. If Jesus would just speak the word his servant would be healed. Jesus remarked this was the “greatest faith” He had found in Israel. Why? Because the Centurion understood Authority, He recognized Jesus’ word was a command that the physical and spiritual world had to obey.

“Modern Illustrations” of Faith

Trapeze (The Transition of Trust): A trapeze artist has to let go of one bar to grab the next. There is a space of time in the air where they are holding onto nothing. Many folks lose their way because they are terrified of that “empty space”. They are holding onto old habits, old hurts, or “self-reliance” (the first bar). Faith is the courage to let go of the “seen” (the first bar) because you have evidence that the “Unseen” (God/the Catcher) is there and will catch you.

The Parachute (Faith of Total Reliance)

You can study the physics of a parachute; you can watch others pack it, and you can even “believe” it works while standing in the hanger. But you don’t actually have “biblical faith” in that parachute until you step out of the aircraft in the air. The parachute is the “substance” (the literal material) that saves you. Faith isn’t just sitting; it’s entrusting your entire existence to something that you cannot see working until you are in the air. It is the transition from “knowing” to “committing”.

Belief and Action

Faith involves both belief and action, demonstrating loyalty and commitment to God’s world. Historically, theologians have broken biblical faith down into three parts: notitia (knowledge of the facts), assensus (agreement that the facts are true), and fiducia (personal trust and reliance on those facts). One can have the first two without truly having biblical faith. Unfortunately, many do have the first two, but lack the third.

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Why do we need “FAITH”?

God created us as something special with the free will to fellowship with Him. He then placed us in Paradise-Eden, a complete and holistic system. A system that was perfect. This is what God intended for humanity.

People ask: “If God is so loving, why did He let us fall?” But think about it—if you didn't have the choice to walk away, your choice to stay would mean nothing. God didn't create us to be “robots” to serve Him; He created “sons and daughters” to love Him. He gave us Free Will because He wanted a real relationship, even though He knew we would use it to break His heart. The evidence of His love isn't that He prevented the fall, but that before we fell, He began the Rescue Mission to bring us back-He enabled us to have faith, and act on that faith.

In the “life of Adam and Eve” (roughly 1^st century AD) it tells the tale of why satan hates humanity so much. When humanity was born Heaven rejoiced, the only problem was not everyone was “happy” about the birth of humanity. This “problem” is the cause of humanity’s “fall”. It is the jealousy of satan that caused the fall of humanity. This is also how sin and death were introduced into the world. Before this God did not intend for humanity to die (the Tree of Life) satan corrupted the system, the code, if you will.

When do we need FAITH?

We often don’t realize we need faith until our self-reliance is exhausted. If you feel “lost” it isn’t a sign of failure; it is a sign you are in a perfect position to get the faith you have been missing.

We need faith at all times for our spiritual "oxygen," there are specific tactical moments in the human experience where faith becomes a critical, life-saving necessity. The problem is we usually don’t “realize” we need it until things go sideways.

The most common time we need faith is when our physical senses and human logic can no longer see the path forward.

When your sight fails (The Dark)

· 2 Corinthians 5:7 “We walk by faith, not by sight”. You need faith when the “map” of your life doesn’t match the terrain you’re standing on.

When you near the end of your strength (The Weakness)

When life knocks you down or things exceed our capabilities.

· This is the moment when your strength fails and you need Jesus’s strength.

· That moment when you realize you can’t fix your own soul or save your own life.

· You need faith when your “rough & tough” exterior can’t carry the weight of the world anymore. It is the moment you stop “trying” and start “trusting”.

When the stakes are eternal (The Rescue)

You need faith when you realize that life is not just about what happens now but about what happens forever.

· When the world tells you to “do whatever feels right,” you need faith to stay on the narrow path.

· You need faith when you are faced with the reality that some will perish, and you feel the “loving burden” to stand in the breach for them.

· You need faith when you have to speak a truth that might be unpopular or difficult, trusting that the “Substance” of God’s word is more powerful than the world’s opinion.

When you encounter Trials and Suffering (The Furnace)

The Bible says faith is “refined” in fire (1 Peter 1:7).

· You don’t know you need an anchor when the sea is calm. You need faith when the storm hits, providing the “Evidence” that God is your, “Refuge” and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)

· You need faith to endure. It is the “staying power” that keeps you going when you want to quit or retreat.

When you face the “True End” (The Gain)

Paul’s statement, “to die is gain” is the ultimate “when”.

· You need faith at the moment of death-either our own or those we love. At the “breach”, when science and medicine stop, faith is the only thing that steps across the line.

· You need faith that crossing that line isn’t “the end”, but the beginning of the “Eternal Life” you are working so hard to help others find.

How do we get “FAITH”?

To get faith from a biblical perspective, the focus is less on “trying harder” to believe and more on putting yourself in the path of God’s influence. The Bible outlines several practical and spiritual ways that faith is acquired and built.

Immerse yourself in the Bible

The most foundational instruction for acquiring faith is found in Romans 10:17 (NKJV): “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

· Input Rule: Faith is built on information about God’s character and His track record. Just as you gain faith in a bridge by studying the blueprints and seeing others cross it, you gain faith in God by reading the accounts of His faithfulness in scripture.

· Active Reading: Instead of reading for academic knowledge, read to understand who God is.

· Pulpit Version: You can’t build a relationship with someone by only listening to stories about them from others. To truly know God and grow your faith you have to spend time in His word for yourself. Let the Bible speak directly to you before you let a pulpit explain what it says.

Ask for it (Faith) Prayer of Help

The Bible describes faith as a gift (Ephesians 2:8), you can simply ask God for it.

· Honest Approach: Mark 9:24, a man famously cried out to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief.” This is the “how-to” model: acknowledging the faith you have (however small) while asking God to fill the gaps.

· The Apostles’ Approach: In Luke 17:5, the disciples directly asked Jesus “Increase our faith!” This suggests that seeking faith is an ongoing prayer.

Act on what you already know

Biblical faith is like a muscle-it is developed through resistance and use. You “get” more faith by using the small amount you already possess.

· Step out: If you believe God wants you to be generous or kind, doing those things-even if you feel uncertain-actually strengthens your faith.

· The Testing Ground: Faith is often forged in the “doing”: As you see God sustain you in small acts of obedience your confidence grows to trust Him with larger things.

Surround yourself with faithful people

The Bible emphasizes the importance of the community (the Church) in sustaining individual faith. Find a group of Bible believing Christians. Christians that believe and follow the whole Bible, not just the parts “they like”.

· Shared Strength: Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to meet together to stir up one another to love and good works.

Examine the Evidence (Reason & Nature)

While faith goes beyond reason, it is not considered “anti-reason”. The Bible suggests that observing the world around us can spark the beginning of faith.

· Creation: Romans 1:20 says that God’s invisible attributes are clearly perceived in the things that have been made.

· Reflection: Take time today to observe the complexity of nature or the moral law within you, this can provide the rational “seeds” that faith grows from.

Think of faith like relationship rather than a feeling. You don’t “manufacture” trust in a friend; you build it by spending time with them, listening to them, and seeing them keep their word over time. Do the same with God.

Remember: The Bible says even “mustard seed” sized faith is enough to start (Matthew 7:20). You don’t need a massive amount of faith to being; you just need a small amount placed in a massive God.

Where do you put your FAITH?

The amount of faith we have is less important than where you put your faith, or in Whom you put your faith in. You can put it in what “man” says (you, government, school, church, preacher, et al). or you can put in it in the Lord Jesus Christ.

You can have “massive faith” in a thin sheet of ice (“man” et al) and you will still fall through. You can have “tiny, trembling faith” in a solid frozen lake (Jesus Christ) and it will hold you. Jesus is the only “Object” strong enough to hold your “weight”. Having “faith in faith” or “faith in yourself” is just another way to get lost.

In Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) the Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct* your paths”.

(* or make smooth or straight).

Computer System Analogy

Using a computer system as an analogy Proverbs 3:5-6; is the Architect’s (God) instruction for System Harmony. It tells us that our Human build works best when it stops trying to be the “Master Server” and instead stays “Synced” with the Source, when we stop relying on our limited “local data" and trust the “Global Wisdom” of the Architect. He optimizes our journey and clears the glitches in our path.

Trusting God isn’t “blind faith”; it’s a Logical Submission to a higher intelligence. It’s admitting that the One who wrote the code knows how to run the program better than the program knows itself. Meaning, God wrote the “program” we are running. Admitting that God know how to run the program better than we who only know and understand a portion of the “code” being ran.

When do we get FAITH?

From a biblical perspective, the "when" of faith is described as both a specific moment of beginning as well as a lifelong process of growth. It isn't something humans are born with as a natural instinct, but something that is sparked and then nurtured. Faith continues to grow as we use it.

When the “Word” is heard

The most direct answer to “when” faith starts is found in Romans 10:17 (NKJV), “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

· The Catalyst: Faith is sparked when a person is exposed to the message of the Bible or the character of God.

· The Response: It begins the moment a person moves from hearing information to accepting it as truth and personally relevant.

When it is received as a gift

Faith is a gift from God; however, you must accept the gift.

· Ephesians 2:8 (NET), “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God.”

It is my understanding this means everyone has the opportunity to accept the gift of faith, just like everyone has the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Whether you choose to accept it is entirely up to you. God does not make you a robot – you have the ability to accept or not.

· The Devine Spark: Again using a computer system analogy, The Gift of God is a System-wide broadcast available to every human. However, it only becomes functional for the “Select” who choose to tune their frequency to the Architect’s signal. The Gift is Universal in its availability, but personal in its application.

During times of crisis

While faith can begin in a moment of peace, it is often, “activated” or deeply realized during moments of human limitation.

· The “End of Self”: Many biblical figures found faith when they reached the end of their own resources, when human logic or strength fails; it creates the “vacancy” that faith fills.

· Testing: You often don’t know you have faith until it is tested. In this sense you “get” a stronger more resilient faith during the trials of life (James 1:3).

As a continuous growth process

Biblical faith isn’t a “one and done” event, it is something that increases over time.

· Mustard Seed: Jesus compared faith to a tiny mustard seed that grows into a large tree (Matthew 17:20). You may have a small amount of faith today, but through patience and experience, you may have a much “larger” amount of faith a year from now.

· The Apostle’s Request: Even Jesus’ closest followers asked Him “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5), showing that faith is something you can receive in greater measure as you walk with God.

Through Obedience

There is a biblical principal “light obeyed brings more light.” (Mark 4:24-25)

· The Action Loop: When a person acts on the small amount of faith they already have, they often “get” more. Faith is like a muscle; it becomes more apparent and functional the more it is used.

Final Thoughts

You have seen the Substance of God’s character and the Evidence of His rescue mission in the lives of those like Daniel and the Centurion.

Knowing the physics of the parachute won’t save you in mid-air. You have to jump. You don’t need "perfect" faith; you just need enough to move your feet. If you feel weak, remember: that is exactly where Christ’s strength begins. Stop trying to be the "Master Server" of your own life and sync back with the Architect. The Bridge is solid, the Commander is capable, and the destination is Eternal Life.

You were never meant to be an appliance, humming along to a program. You were created as a masterpiece, an image of the Living God. If life has left you feeling "broken" or "lost," it’s only because the mirror has been cracked, not destroyed.

Faith is the process of letting the Creator polish that mirror. It starts with a simple cry: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief." Don't wait until you have it all figured out. Today is the perfect day to stop hiding in the shadows of the fall and step into the light of the rescue. You are worth the mission. The Commander has already stood in the breach for you—now, it’s time to follow Him home.

Don't put your trust in the "thin ice" of human systems or self-reliance. Put it on the "Frozen Lake" of Jesus Christ. He is the only Bridge strong enough to hold your weight.

The light you obey right now is the light that will lead you home.

If you are ready to experience the peace that God offers, and find the “faith” you may be missing, then accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. To accept Jesus repent of your sins. You can say this prayer or your own like it. This prayer is provided for your ease, it is not required. Only you and Jesus matter when it comes to accepting Him as your Savior.

God desires that none should perish. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us [you], not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV) “His promise”, in John says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV)

A Sinner’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, I freely admit I am a sinner in need of Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. Give me the strength to resist temptation and walk in purity. Where I am weak make me strong through Your Spirit.

Dear Heavenly Father, I am truly sorry for my sins against You. I repent of my sins and humbly ask Your forgiveness for all of my sins.

Lord, I open the door of my heart and invite You in. Please be my Savior from sin and Lord over every area of my life. Take control of my thoughts, my words, and my actions. Transform me into

Your likeness day by day. Help me unconditionally forgive others as You have forgiven me.

Lord, please remove all shame and guilt from my heart. Enable me to accept Your complete forgiveness and walk in the freedom You have purchased for me.

Lord, help me believe and receive Your promise of eternal life. When doubt assails me, remind me my salvation rests on Your finished work, not my works, not my feelings or my thoughts. Assure my heart that I am now Your child and death no longer holds sway over me.

In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.

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Conclusion

If you have earnestly prayed that prayer understand you are no longer your own. Jesus paid the price for your sins even before you accepted Him. This does not mean everything will be all peace, love and happiness. In a manner of speaking it will, but things will still be challenging. However, there is one huge difference now. Now you can go to Jesus at any time and ask Him for intercession, for strength, for wisdom and so much more.

There are many “helps” available out there. The first place you should go to is your Bible.

• Read your Bible daily:. The Bible is a source of strength and guidance from God to us.

• Pray daily: Prayer is our “telephone” or “cellphone’ to God. We can go to Him directly through prayer and God will answer us if we will listen. No one has to intercede on our behalf, Jesus is our Mediator.

• Find a good Bible believing Christian group and or church to fellowship with.

If you have questions, issues or concerns email me (GL) at greatlivingstories@gmail.com. I will do my best to help you through whatever you may be facing. I can’t promise I will be able to solve anything, but hopefully I can help point you in the right direction. You have taken the first step in the right direction by praying the sinner’s prayer and accepting Jesus into your heart.