What is faith? And how can you be sure that you have it? Some Christians think of faith as a magical force. That if you muster faith you’ll be prosperous, contented, and live a happy life. But, what are the signs of a true faith?

The author of Hebrews paints a detailed description of faith complete with reference to the names of several Bible heroes. He pointed out that these men of faith displayed virtues like perseverance and endurance. That their lives of faith didn’t exclude them from hardship, trials, and persecutions. Some were thrown into prison, stoned, and died a horrible death. While on the other hand, some men prospered, yet all had faith!

The author described faith as a race. The runner has his eyes on the prize. And despite the temptation to slack off, he refuses to let up until he crosses the finish line. The author coached “throw off everything that hinders”(Hebrews 12:1). He emphasized, “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).

The Basis of Faith

“Now faith is being sure of what we hoped for and certain of what we do not see”, says Hebrews 11:1 NIV. How can you be sure that what you believe will come to pass?

Faith should be built on:

• Who God is– 1 John 4:8 says “God is love”. And He showed His love by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross on our behalf so that we might live through Him (1 John 4:9). God chose to love us while we were yet sinners and undeserving even to the point of death on a cross. “There is no love greater than this: to lay down one’s life to one’s friend.”(John 15:13NIV) “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
• God’s faithfulness– Jeremiah 17: 5-8 paints two contrasting lives. He described a life who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes (Jeremiah 17:5-6). “While the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him, will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit”(Jeremiah 17: 7-8). God’s faithfulness is constant and unchanging. 2Timothy 2: 13 says, “If we are faithless, he remains faithful for He cannot disown Himself”.
• The finished work of Christ– What Christ did on the cross needed nothing else. It’s done! “It is finished”, Jesus said. If you believe in His words when he said it’s finished, you can enter into His rest. You know when you have believed when you’re resting. Hebrews 4:3a says, “Now we who have believed enter that rest”. It’s the peace beyond human understanding. The kind of peace that comes only from God.
• The power of God– Since the beginning of time, God showed His power when He created all things. When He divided the sea so the Israelites can cross. When He raised Jesus from the dead and defeated death. He healed the sick and restored sight to the blind. We can always trust that God will deliver and always be able to fulfill what He promised. He is our omnipotent God.

The Simple Definition of Faith

Faith is believing and receiving what God promised in His word. Confident that He will fulfill His promises. And holding on to it, no matter what.

The Four Kinds of Faith

Paul urged the church in Corinth to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith (2Corinthians 13:5). “Test yourselves”, he added.

What about you? Do you know what kind of faith you have?

Together let us examine ourselves.

• Dead Faith– James said “faith without deeds is dead”(James 2:26b). He continues, “genuine faith should be accompanied by action”(James 2:17). Simply put, true faith bears good fruit.
• Intellectual Faith– Knowing is not believing. Even the demons know who Jesus Christ is. They tremble in the name of Jesus and yet they chose to follow a different master. Knowing who Christ is doesn’t give them salvation.
• Vain Faith– Jesus mentioned that in the last days, people will call Him Lord, Lord but He doesn’t know them. “Away from me you evildoers,” He said.
• Saving Faith– salvation is by grace alone through faith. It’s a gift (Ephesians 2:8,9). You were not saved because of what you did. You did nothing to deserve this gift. It’s all God and it’s free. But, true faith should be acted out. True faith should produce the fruits of the Spirit without any motivation. True conversion produces love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, gentleness, and all other fruits of the Spirit.

Which one do you have?