Christian Faith

What is Christian faith? Can it be defined or is it merely a feeling and collection of ideas that represent your convictions?

What is faith?

The full definition of Christian faith is broader than that. Translated in the New Testament from the Greek word "pistis," faith means "firm persuasion producing a full acknowledgement of God's revelation or truth," "a personal surrender to Him," and "conduct inspired by such surrender." ( Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words , 1985, "Faith").

So Do We Just "Believe?"

Christian faith is attitude, conviction and conduct based on a right relationship with God. It is not static, but grows in strength and depth as we nourish that relationship with our Creator throughout our lives.

Christian Faith + Christian Works

The Bible is consistent and plain in its teaching that salvation is a gift from God. But, even though it is a gift, something we cannot earn, we are expected to obey God if we are to receive that gift.

Jesus Christ expects actions—works—from us: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
See All...).

At the same time Jesus is also described as our merciful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
See All...). Works and grace go together. James, a younger half brother of Jesus, wrote his epistle in harmony with Jesus' teachings and instructions. He not only wrote about works (James 2:14-26 [14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
[15] If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
[16] And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
[17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
[18] Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
[19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
[20] But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
[21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
[22] Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
[23] And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
[24] Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
[25] Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
[26] For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

See All...) but addressed grace (James 4:6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
See All...) and Christ's "compassionate and merciful" nature (James 5:11Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
See All...).

Paul wrote, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith," and we are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
See All..., New International Version). James summarized this concept simply and concisely, telling us that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
See All...).

Enemies of Christian Faith

It is incredibly easy for us to stay in attitudes that come so naturally to our human nature. But certain attitudes can undermine Christian faith. They are:

• Worry (Matthew 6:25-33 [25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
  [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
  [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
  [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
  [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
  [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
  
  See All...).
• Fear (Matthew 8:23-26 [23] And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
  [24] And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
  [25] And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
  [26] And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
  
  See All...).
• Doubt (Matthew 14:30-31 [30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
  [31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
  
  See All...).
• Human reasoning without spiritual understanding (Matthew 16:6-12 [6] Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
  [7] And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
  [8] Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
  [9] Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
  [10] Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
  [11] How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
  [12] Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
  
  See All...).

When It Seems God Doesn't Hear or Answer

Few attitudes are more disheartening and destructive to Christian faith than the notion that God doesn't hear our prayers, doesn't answer or doesn't care. It is easy to come to such conclusions when God doesn't respond when or how we want.

The apostle Paul was a man who could have concluded that God doesn't listen to people. After all, he urgently pleaded with God to intervene for him in a chronic trial. Paul could have concluded that God had not heard his pleas. But this is not the case. God simply gave Paul a different answer: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
See All...).

In the meantime, Paul understood that God in His love will never allow us to fall into trials greater than we can endure. "God is faithful," Paul wrote, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. "But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
See All..., NIV). Sometimes that "way out" is simply the determination to endure the trial, to "stand up under it."

Your Own Walk of Christian Faith

God does not always answer our prayers to our immediate satisfaction and instantly deliver us from our trials. But He will always do what is best for us.

God promises a better reward (Hebrews 11:40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
See All...) for those who devote their lives to seeking the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
See All...).

Begin now to develop the living faith that will see you through the trials of this life and into the coming Kingdom of God. Learn more about how to grow in Christian faith in our free booklet, You Can Have Living Faith, available online .