What is faith all about? This is a core question for all Christians and one that defines how we embrace Christ´s promises.
“Faith is a supernatural feeling.” some might say. “It is not a feeling, but a conscious decision.” others would argue. Still, there are others who affirm faith is ultimately about “deep knowledge of God”.
And while these ideas sound encouraging, what do I do when….
- I try my best to be a good person and live for God, yet I don´t feel spiritual enough.
- I can´t choose God even if I want to.
- I want to believe him, but my circumstances don’t make sense.
All of a sudden, these ideas become a heavy burden. If it’s on me to choose God every single day, I’m not sure I can do that…
Key notes
- Faith is one of the greatest gifts from our Heavenly Father for us to receive and embrace.
- If faith is understood as something we as humans can produce, we will spend the rest of our lives acting as if we had to repay Christ for his sacrifice.
- Abraham is righteous not because he obeyed to perfection, but because God has declared him to be righteous.
- The Lord has put the word of faith in our mouths and hearts and it is Him who produces a confession of trust in us for salvation (Romans 10:8-9).
I may believe and obey God on my good days when life is going according to the plan. Being a Christian is easier when my reason is not challenged and my stability is affected.
I can make myself believe that I am an exceptional Christian based on my efforts. But if I am honest with myself, I cannot meet my own standard, let alone God´s.
Well… what if faith is not a feeling, deep knowledge, or a decision (at least not your decision) but a gift?
Faith is one of the greatest gifts from our Heavenly Father for us to receive and embrace.
Through Romans chapter 4, Paul reminds us that even Abraham, known as the father of many nations, the righteous, and obedient was justified by the gift of faith alone.
What is faith? A gift in Christ, not something we earn.
“What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.”
(Rom. 4:1-2)
When reading the story of Abraham, we are quick to praise his accomplishments and outward signs of obedience. We think of his obedience to God´s calling (Gen 12:4) and the offering of his son Isaac without hesitation (Gen 22:3).
And while these are indeed admirable acts for God, Paul reminds us that if justification came through works, then we all would have something to be proud of and Christ’s sacrifice would have been in vain.
Instead, it is the faith given to Abraham (as a gift) that allows him to believe in the promise and to obey God’s command.
“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”
(Rom 4:3-5)
Faith seen as something else than a gift will inevitably become a burden. If it is understood as something we as humans can produce, we will spend the rest of our lives acting as if we had repay Christ for his sacrifice.
Abraham was only able to obey because of the freedom that comes with faith in the Lord. From this freedom flows the good works that our Father has prepared in advance for us (Eph. 2:10).
Let´s walk confident not as workers who own the master a debt, but as children of a Savior who has already paid it all.
What is faith in Christ? A promise of newness and righteousness.
“Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well.”
(Rom 4:9-11)
Did you notice how Abraham is counted righteous despite his mistakes? How is that?
He may be known as the father of faith but let’s not forget he lied about Sarai being his wife not once but twice (12:13, 20:2) or the messy marital situation between Abraham, Sarai and Hagar (16:4).
The apostle Paul writes that “faith was counted Abraham as righteousness”. In other words, faith as a gift makes us righteous before God. Abraham is righteous not because he obeyed to perfection, but because God has declared him to be righteous.
Righteousness through the Gospel does not demand a list of requirements one must fulfill to receive a blessing. Instead, this kind of faith is believing that we in fact cannot fulfill the requirements for salvation and are in need of a Savior outside ourselves.
Before Abraham was even circumcised, he received a promise from God so that the generations to come could also find righteousness through faith in Christ.
Faith as a gift is believing that in Christ, we are already holy, perfect, and righteous. We do not put our best effort into becoming better, we are already made anew in Him.
Let’s walk in the righteousness of the Gospel knowing that before we even started living for Christ, he had already called us his own.
What is faith when life doesn’t make sense? Believing in Christ’s promise anyway.
In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”
(Rom 4:18-22)
The more I read Scripture, the more I realize nothing about the Christian life makes sense. Why would God afflict his own Son to the point of death? Or Jesus carry my sins and present himself as a sinner before God? Why does God want to be near sinners like me?
These are all questions we cannot comprehend with human reasoning. I am often tempted to think that if I read my Bible more, I will be able to understand the mystery of God´s story of redemption.
The reality is that the more I read, the less I understand. If anything, through the Word, Christ shows me my inability to have faith at all times.
Abraham´s story is no different. He was called to believe that God would make him a father of many nations. However, this promise is not fulfilled until both Abraham is advanced in age and Sara’s womb is completely dead (Gen 21:5).
It was only after Abraham and Sarah gave up trying to fulfill God’s promise in their own way, and after it became physically and naturally impossible for Sarah to have children that the Lord fulfilled His promise.
In other words, faith as a gift is believing in what God has promised even when nothing makes sense. What if the times we have said “This is impossible for me” or “Whatever happens, happens” are actually declarations of faith? Have you thought about this?
When you say, “This is impossible for me”, God replies “Exactly, but nothing is impossible with Me” (Luke 1:37).
When you say, “Whatever happens, happens” God says “Exactly, now trust that your times are in my hands” (Psalm 31:14-15).
Let’s freely believe our God knowing that he works all things for our good. Even the messy and confusing of life.
When Faith Is a Gift, Walking Becomes Freedom
Seeing faith as a gift rather than something I had to produce freed me from the pressure to perform and the guilt of not being a ‘perfect’ Christian.
The Lord has put the word of faith in our mouths and hearts and it is Him who produces a confession of trust in us for salvation (Romans 10:8-9).
Faith is God’s decision to pursue you! Not the other way around.
Righteousness by the Law demands perfect obedience and condemns those who do not live up to the standards. However, righteousness by faith in Christ reminds us that He is our sacrifice of atonement. (Rom. 3:25). Believing the work of the cross frees me from all condemnation.
For this, we can rest in the founder and perfecter of our faith Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:2). In freedom we expose ourselves to the preaching of the word which produces faith in us. His word of grace and forgiveness anchors our souls during times of trouble and allows us to freely rest in God’s promises.
My Prayer for You
“Dear Father, forgive our unbelief and the times we turn inward for faith. Thank you for giving us your Son Jesus as the founder and perfecter of our faith. May the hearing of your word produce the faith we need in our hearts. Remind us that you have already given us the victory against our trials and tribulations through Christ’s sacrifice. Comforts us with your Spirit and give us the strength we need to keep walking faithfully in your truth. In your Name. Amen”
For Reflection
Read Ephesians 2:8-9 and Hebrews 11:1.
- Have you ever felt like you had to “try harder” to believe? What would it look like to simply ask God to grow your faith instead?
- Do you ever feel pressured to have visible results to prove your faith? What would it look like to rest in what is still unseen?
- What “by faith” story is God writing in your life right now, even if it doesn’t make sense yet?
Leave a Reply