Nature of faith

The object of faith

God as the object of faith

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

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.

See also Ps 25:1–2; Ps 26:1; Pr 29:25; 1 Pe 1:21

Jesus Christ as the object of faith

John 14:1 NKJV

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

See also Jn 3:16; Jn 3:18; Jn 3:36; Jn 6:68–69

False objects of faith

Human resources:

Ps 20:7; Ho 10:13

Ps 118:9 other people; Pr 28:26 self; Is 42:17 idols

Faith is personal trust in God

2 Samuel 22:31 NKJV

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

See also Ps 18:2–6; Ps 27:13–14; 1 Pe 2:23

True faith cannot be second-hand

2 Timothy 1:5 NKJV

when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

See also Jn 4:42

Faith and assurance

Assurance accompanies faith

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

See also Ro 4:19–21; 1 Ti 3:13; Heb 10:22

Faith may be mixed with doubt

Mt 14:31 Simon Peter; Mk 9:24 the father of the boy with an evil spirit; Jn 20:24–28 Thomas

Faith and sight

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Faith as trust in what is unseen

John 20:29 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

See also 2 Co 4:18; Heb 11:1–3; Heb 11:7; Heb 11:27

Faith looks towards an unseen future

Hebrews 11:13–14 NKJV

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.

See also Heb 11:8–10 Abraham; Heb 11:20–22 Isaac, Jacob and Joseph; Heb 11:24–26 Moses

Faith and obedience

True faith is demonstrated in obedience

Ro 1:5; Heb 4:2

See also Ro 16:26; 2 Co 9:13; 1 Pe 1:2

Examples of obedient faith

Noah builds the ark:

Ge 6:22; Heb 11:7

Abraham leaves Haran:

Ge 12:4; Heb 11:8

Abraham offers Isaac:

Ge 22:1–10; Heb 11:17

Ex 14:15–16 Moses parts the sea.

Caleb and Joshua:

Nu 13:30; Nu 14:8–9

Jos 3:5–13 Joshua at the river Jordan; Jos 6:2–5 Joshua at Jericho; Heb 11:30

Jn 21:4–6 Jesus Christ’s disciples, fishing; Ac 26:19 Paul

Faith and works

True faith is demonstrated in good deeds

James 2:14–26 NKJV

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

See also Php 2:17; 1 Th 1:3; Tt 1:1; 2 Pe 1:5

True faith issues in love

Galatians 5:6 NKJV

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

See also Eph 1:15; Eph 6:23; 1 Th 3:6; 1 Th 5:8; 1 Ti 1:5; 1 Ti 1:14; 1 Ti 4:12

True faith is constantly productive

Luke 8:15 NKJV

But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

See also Jn 15:1–5