Nature of faith

The object of faith

God as the object of faith

Hebrews 11:6 NLT

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

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Jesus Christ as the object of faith

John 14:1 NLT

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

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False objects of faith

Human resources:

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other people; self; idols

Faith is personal trust in God

2 Samuel 22:31 NLT

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

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True faith cannot be second-hand

2 Timothy 1:5 NLT

I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

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Faith and assurance

Assurance accompanies faith

Hebrews 11:1 NLT

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

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Faith may be mixed with doubt

Simon Peter; the father of the boy with an evil spirit; Thomas

Faith and sight

2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT

For we live by believing and not by seeing.

Faith as trust in what is unseen

John 20:29 NLT

Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

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Faith looks towards an unseen future

Hebrews 11:13–14 NLT

All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own.

See also Abraham; Isaac, Jacob and Joseph; Moses

Faith and obedience

True faith is demonstrated in obedience

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Examples of obedient faith

Noah builds the ark:

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Abraham leaves Haran:

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Abraham offers Isaac:

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Moses parts the sea.

Caleb and Joshua:

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Joshua at the river Jordan; Joshua at Jericho;

Jesus Christ’s disciples, fishing; Paul

Faith and works

True faith is demonstrated in good deeds

James 2:14–26 NLT

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

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True faith issues in love

Galatians 5:6 NLT

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

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True faith is constantly productive

Luke 8:15 NLT

And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.

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