What does faith mean? According to the dictionary, faith is a word that means “trust,” “belief,” “credibility.” Faith is a feeling of complete belief in something or someone, even if there is no evidence to prove the truth of the matter in question.
But after all, what is faith in the Bible?
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. (Hebrews 11:1-2)
Faith is the firm foundation and evidence, that is, faith anchors our belief and makes us act contrary to doubts. Having faith in God is believing in His existence and His omniscience. Faith makes spiritual things become real, because when we believe in God in a way that leaves no room for doubt, His spiritual power becomes visible.
Faith has the power to bring into existence what does not exist, it has the power to bring healing, deliverance; faith has the power to perform great miracles, signs, and wonders.
Miracles That Happened in the Bible Through Faith
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. (Hebrews 11:7)
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. 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: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)
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. 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. (Hebrews 11:11-12)
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. (Hebrews 11:17)
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. (Hebrews 11:23)
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. (Hebrews 11:29)
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. (Hebrews 11:30)
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:31)
Faith Comes by Hearing
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
What the verse in Romans 10:17 is saying is that faith is born when we hear about God, and this is called a gift:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
When we hear the preaching of the Gospel, God, at that exact moment, is offering us this gift freely. That is why preaching the gospel is of utmost importance, because through it, other people can not only know but also believe and attain salvation.
Unfortunately, not everyone who hears believes in the preaching of this genuine gospel, because many refuse to believe in God, refuse to obey His word, fulfill His commandments, and live a life in holiness.
The Just Shall Live by Faith
The Bible teaches us that the just must live in this world through their faith in God. This faith described here means firm trust in God and in the righteousness of His ways; it is a personal loyalty to Him as Savior and Lord, and also moral perseverance to follow His paths.
To live in this world and face all kinds of difficulties, we need to be firm in God through faith. The Word of God teaches that our faith should be like a mustard seed, that is, it starts small but grows and develops throughout the Christian walk.
The Types of Faith
Natural faith. When we talk about natural faith, we are saying that man is born already believing in something. The fact that someone believes that something they have not yet seen will become reality — like the hope for a better day — already means natural faith.
Saving faith. Saving faith is the one that leads man to have intimacy with God. Faith makes man believe that God exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Supernatural faith. Through the Holy Spirit, faith is added in such a way that many times it is not possible to find explanations for such miracles that happen through faith.
