Faith! Such a small word, but with gigantic effectiveness, for faith is capable of making impossible things happen.
Through faith, we see nowadays people being healed from illnesses that, in the eyes of medicine, would be impossible.
Faith has the power to transcend what is natural, that is, faith has the power to surpass limits, making everything that was in the invisible realm visible.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the proof of things we do not yet see. Through faith, our brothers in the past received good testimonies, and they echo to this day.
The Christian is able to understand that the entire universe was created by the word of God. When we observe the gallery of the heroes of faith, we see that faith in a person’s life has the power to accomplish extraordinary things.
What Can Faith Do in a Person’s Life?
By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Through this, he showed himself to be a righteous man, and God approved his offerings. And even after a long time, though dead, he still speaks to this day through his example.
By faith, Enoch was taken to heaven without experiencing death; “he was not found, because God had taken him.” Because, before this event, Enoch dedicated his life to pleasing God.
These and other heroes from the gallery of Hebrews 11 are examples of what faith is capable of doing in a person’s life.
We can mention various illustrious figures of faith, such as Abraham, Sarah, Noah, among others, who, through their faith, even after death, still speak to this day.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
This verse makes clear the need to draw closer to God, believing that he exists and that he is ready to attend to everyone who seeks him with all their heart. It is impossible to please God without true faith.
Faith consists in obeying God’s will for our lives. Noah, through faith, built a vessel that would save his family from the flood.
Noah is an example of obedience and faith, for God had warned him about things that had never occurred on earth.
By faith, God, in that scenario, condemned the rest of the world, and Noah received the righteousness that comes through faith.
Many times, God will speak to us about extraordinary things that have never happened before, and it is in that moment that we must put faith into action, that is, trust entirely in God and his purposes.
Faith Accompanied by Works
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)
The Bible teaches us that faith must be accompanied by works; the two must go side by side. In a more didactic way and so that everyone understands.
Imagine that we will speak about God on a cold and rainy night to a homeless person; that is faith.
We need to fulfill this entire verse, which is faith plus works, and what is the work in this moment? We have already used faith, which is speaking about Jesus.
Now, we need to perform the work, which is, on this cold and rainy night, literally sheltering and clothing those who are out in the open.
We understand that faith and works walk together; those who are in the world do need to know the Lord Jesus Christ, but our works must also be manifested in their lives.
Works without faith are dead, just as faith without works is dead faith.
True faith always manifests itself in obedience to God and with compassionate acts toward the needy.
Faith generates obedience within the human being, because we believe in God, and only those who believe in God can truly obey him.
You see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect. (James 2:22)
We understand that James is not saying that faith and works save us, for that would be like separating faith from works. James argues just the opposite; he argues about faith in action.
Faith and works can never be separated, since works proceed naturally from faith.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6)
The Bible teaches us that a person is saved by faith:
Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ for all who believe [on Him as Savior]; for there is no distinction. (Romans 3:22)
Paul describes with precision the nature of this faith. A living faith in a living Savior; faith so vital that it cannot fail to express itself in acts motivated by love.
Faith that stops loving and obeying Christ, losing genuine interest in the work of the Kingdom of God and clearly failing to resist sin and the world, is not saving faith.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)
When our faith is tested, perseverance has the opportunity to grow. In the race of faith, the Christian will always be tested by God. The Christian who trusts entirely in God remains persevering and facing the deserts of the Christian walk.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
In this world, we will face various afflictions, but Jesus teaches us that only in him will we find true peace. The Lord himself encourages us by saying: “Take heart; I have overcome the world.”
The Lord Jesus teaches us that, just as he renounced sin and lived a life in obedience to God the Father, we too can live a life of faith and obedience to God. And just as he overcame, we too will be able to overcome the world.
Faith is within each of us; the more intimate we are with God, the more we allow him to be the owner of our heart. Certainly, many supernatural things will manifest through the power of faith.
