What is Faith? Some people struggle to define it...

We asked a few people recently to define what faith means. They struggled a bit with formulating an answer as they tried to explain faith as they understood it.

The Bible throughout gives not only a direct answer in what faith is (see Hebrews 11:1) but in regards to the faith that has eternal significance it provides even further insight into what qualifies as true faith in the one true God. Faith in its simplest definition is the hope for something unseen and that something unseen has evidential proof that it exists.

My oldest son stated it well in that faith, in a sense is a verb, a word that demands action (See James 2:5 and 14-26).

The Bible states that faith without works is dead (See James 2:17, 20 and 26). We must be careful however as many will confuse works based in the wrong motives such as self as being acceptable by God. Those who produce these ungodly works will be rejected by God (see Matthew 7:22-23).

Faith goes beyond just belief alone as even the devils believe in God (James 2:19). This belief is real as they tremble in knowing the truth of the living God and they know it is a fearful thing to fall into His hands (see Hebrews 10:31).

Only through the Word of God can one find faith in Him (see Romans 10:17).

By God’s grace through the faith that He gave us (See Romans 12:3) are we saved (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Some mistakenly believe that works are required to be saved but it is only through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross that our sins are forgiven. Works, as shown in James chapter 2, only qualify that one has genuine faith in God.  

Everything good we have comes from God (See James 1:17). What a great and marvelous thing to consider that both the faith and the grace that we receive that faith through come from God (See Romans 12:3)!

Since we were created for God’s good pleasure (see Revelation 4:11) then it is very important to know that without true faith in Him we cannot please Him (see Hebrews 11:6).

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? ...What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 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? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 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. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  James 2:5, 14-26

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone...But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?...For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:17, 20 and 26

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  Matthew 7:22-23

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2:19

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31

So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:3

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11 provides us with much understanding as to what Godly faith is:

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

2   For by it the elders obtained a good report. 

3   Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 

4   By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 

5   By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 

6   But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

7   By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 

8   By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 

9   By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 

10   For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

11   Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 

12   Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 

13   These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

14   For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 

15   And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 

16   But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 

17   By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 

18   Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 

19   Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 

20   By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 

21   By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 

22   By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 

23   By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 

24   By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 

25   Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 

26   Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 

27   By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 

28   Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 

29   By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 

30   By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 

31   By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 

32   And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 

33   Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 

34   Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 

35   Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 

36   And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 

37   They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 

38   (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 

39   And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 

40   God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.  Hebrews 11