Faith allows us to cope with and overcome trials without doubting God or becoming lukewarm or bitter. In some cases trials are not overcome and diseases are not healed in this life. Yet, we are to remain faithful through it all. God deeply desires to create His holy righteous character in each of us. Living by faith is the process by which God does that. God and the believer must be actively involved in developing faith. If conviction and commitment are strong enough, we will obey God and act courageously. Faith is both a gift of and a fruit of the holy spirit. It is the precursor of hope. Both faith and hope are precursors of love—the outcome of faith. We must dig deep and strive to do what God says in order to develop faith, hope and love.

Donald Ward

Elder, United Church of God

Before his retirement in 2021, Dr. Donald Ward pastored churches in Texas and Louisiana, and taught at Ambassador Bible College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has also served as chairman of the Council of Elders of the United Church of God. He holds a BS degree; a BA in theology; a MS degree; a doctor’s degree in education from East Texas State University; and has completed 18 hours of graduate theology from SMU.