15/05/2025
FAITH*
*What is faith?*
Faith is complete trust in God. _"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."_Hbr.11:1.
Faith is the most important and fundamental element in Christian principles. The Word of God says: "But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6 '
The mark of every person who becomes a disciple of Jesus was his faith.
Why is it said that faith is necessary to draw close to God? We have already seen that faith is trust in God. However, this trust in God was lost when man sinned. The first humans, Adam and Eve, sinned and lost their trust in God. . Caught in Satan's deception, they disbelieved in God. They disbelieved in God's love. They disbelieved in God's promises. They rejected God's command and disobeyed God. Thus, they became distant from God.
In order for a person who has lost his trust (faith) in God and has become distant from God to return to God, there is only one condition. *Faith!* No one can return to God except through faith. Faith operates beyond the five senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.
True faith is to abandon self-reliance and rely completely on Almighty God, to listen to and obey His words. Faith is perfected through obedience.
*Faith and Salvation:* Salvation is obtained by faith.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith..." Eph.2:8
Salvation through Jesus is by grace, but it is available to humans only through faith
Sin >> Judgment
Unbelief/Disobedience_
Justification >> Eternal Life
Faith/Obedience
Jesus Christ exhorted the people about the need for faith during His public ministry.
Mark 1:15
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
John 1:12
"To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:18
"He who believes in him is not condemned; but he who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
John 5:24
"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."
John 6:47
"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life."
"John 6:35 Jesus said to them,
"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."