Faith
A study of living faith—sure knowledge that God exists, trust in His promises, faith in Jesus Christ, the relationship between faith and works, overcoming doubt, and growing in the faith of Christ through God's Holy Spirit.
Faith is the sure knowledge that God exists and that He will accomplish those things He has promised. Faith in God, trust in His promises and belief that He is in overall control is a major element in the Christian life and is absolutely necessary for salvation.
The Just Shall Live by Faith
Living faith is at the heart of true Christianity. Scripture presents faith as essential for salvation, a weightier matter of the law, one of the great Christian virtues, and something without which it is impossible to please God.
The lesson distinguishes between “faith” and “the faith.” “The faith” refers to the overall system of Christian doctrine and belief, while faith itself is described in Hebrews 11:1 as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
Faith is not blind belief or merely an emotional feeling. It rests on genuine conviction: recognizing God's hand in creation, His activity in history and the fulfillment of His promises. Faith then trusts God concerning promises whose fulfillment still lies ahead.
At its most personal level, faith includes belief in Jesus Christ as Savior, confidence that His death pays the penalty for our sins, and belief in the message He brought. This faith leads the believer toward baptism.
After baptism and the laying on of hands, God's Holy Spirit works within the Christian. The lesson emphasizes that godly faith is not self-generated; through the Spirit, Christ lives in the believer and produces what is described as the “faith of Christ.”
Faith is not a way of earning salvation. Salvation remains God's gift. Yet God counts living faith as righteousness and uses faith as the vehicle through which the Christian moves toward salvation.
True faith produces action. A person who genuinely believes God will demonstrate that belief through obedience and good works. James therefore states that faith without works is dead. Works do not save, but they demonstrate living faith.
Living by faith does not mean a Christian never experiences doubt. Doubt is a normal human emotion. The lesson teaches that doubt should be challenged by returning to biblical fundamentals, remembering God's reality and continuing the practices associated with one's original conversion.
The central focus of Christian faith is God's promise of the resurrection and eternal life. Physical promises are important, but they remain secondary to God's ultimate purpose of transforming human beings from flesh to spirit.
God may answer physical needs in different ways. Hebrews 11 records some faithful people being delivered and others suffering or dying without receiving the physical fulfillment they hoped for. Both could remain faithful because their ultimate confidence rested in God's spiritual promise.
Faith is also a fruit of God's Spirit and should continually grow. Scripture, experience, trials, fulfilled promises and interaction with other faithful Christians can all strengthen it.
The Bible provides examples from Abraham and the patriarchs to the prophets, apostles and Jesus Christ Himself. Their lives demonstrate confidence in God even before His promises were fulfilled and encourage Christians to seek the same ultimate reward.
What Living Faith Means
Faith Is Sure Knowledge
Faith begins with conviction that God exists and complete trust that He will accomplish what He has promised.
Faith in Jesus Christ
Christian faith includes personal belief in Christ as Savior, His sacrifice for sin and the message He brought.
The Faith of Christ in Us
Godly faith is not simply worked up by human effort; it grows through Christ living in the believer by the Holy Spirit.
Living Faith Produces Action
Good works do not earn salvation, but obedience and action demonstrate that a person's faith is alive.
Faith Can Overcome Doubt
The presence of doubt does not automatically mean faith is absent. Christians are to confront doubt by returning to God's truth.
The Foremost Frontier of Faith
The Christian's greatest hope is God's promise of resurrection from the dead and eternal life in His Kingdom.
A Faith That Is Always Growing
The lesson describes faith as dynamic rather than static. It grows as Christians continue to experience God's faithfulness and deepen their relationship with Him.
“Faith cometh by hearing,” so regular contact with the inspired Word of God builds and reinforces faith.
Seeing God's hand in one's own life provides a growing record of reasons to trust His future promises.
Trials can produce patience, experience and hope, strengthening faith rather than destroying it.
Biblical examples and interaction with faithful Christians provide encouragement and reinforcement.
Faith is exercised through obedience and action; living faith changes the way a Christian lives.
Faith looks beyond immediate physical circumstances to resurrection, salvation and eternal life.
Read These Scriptures in Your Own Bible
Questions
All 19 review questions are displayed in full. Complete them before opening the answer key below.
Faith is ________________ that God exists.
- a) belief
- b) hope
- c) sure knowledge
- d) assurance
Faith is:
- a) knowing that God will accomplish what He has promised to do.
- b) trust in His promises.
- c) belief that God is in control.
- d) absolutely necessary for Salvation.
- e) all of the above.
- f) none of the above.
Where in the Bible does it say: “without faith it is impossible to please God.”
- a) Matthew 23:23
- b) 1 Peter 1:7
- c) Hebrews 11:6
Having faith is a feeling of the heart. True or False?
“Faith” and “the faith” mean the same thing. True or False?
True faith comes from:
- a) feelings and emotions
- b) the church
- c) the ministry
- d) God
Faith in its most profound manifestation is a deep personal belief…
- a) that Jesus Christ is our savior.
- b) that His death paid the individual penalty of our personal sins.
- c) in His message.
- d) all of the above.
Baptism is an outward symbolic testimony that we have inward faith in Christ. True or False?
According to Galatians 2:16, man is justified by:
- a) works
- b) by the faith of Christ
- c) both
Once we are baptized and we receive the Holy Spirit we learn how to self-generate godly faith. True or False?
The faith in us is possible by the power of God’s Spirit and is actually the faith of Christ’s spirit in us. True or False?
According to Romans 4, Faith in us is counted as…
- a) works
- b) grace
- c) righteousness
- d) judgment
Finish this verse from Romans 14: …for whatsoever is not of faith is ______ [what?]
A true Christian will obey God and do good works. True or False?
According to James 2:20, faith without works is ________ [what?]
Having true godly faith guarantees I will never have doubt. True or False?
The main thrust of faith is…
- a) to believe God will help us in trials if we are faithful.
- b) to answer every prayer that is prayed according to His will and in faith.
- c) to believe in God’s promise of the resurrection from the dead in salvation.
- d) to believe that God exists.
A Christian who is living by faith realizes physical promises may be delayed for his or her spiritual benefit. True or False?
In what New Testament book and chapter do we see a list of the fruits of the Spirit?
- a) Romans 5
- b) Ephesians 5
- c) Galatians 5
- d) James 5
