Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - NEED FOR FAITH

 NEED FOR FAITH

The Bible defines faith as “…the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Now, we all exhibit faith every day in many ways without really thinking about it: faith in what we do, how we go from place to place, and even in the use of everyday objects. For example, just sitting in a chair shows faith in that you expect the chair will support you without collapsing.

But at the same time faith is not just believing for the Bible also states that: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble.” (James 2:19) But belief with faith is still important for “…without faith it is impossible to please Him, 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) 

So having faith to believe is essential but it is not the whole story; for true faith implies much more and it also gives us the real reason for the necessity of faithful belief. For you see, the Bible states that: “…by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8).

In addition, the Bible indicates that each person with true faith has “…been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God…” (Galatians 2:20). Also, Romans tells us that: “Because of unbelief they [the Jewish people] were broken off and you stand by faith…” (Romans 11:20).

Further, 2 Corinthians 5:7 says that: “…we walk by faith, not by sight.”

And in Acts, it tells us that not only are we “…among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26:18) but also that by receiving the Holy Spirit, as did the Apostles, we Gentiles as well received a “…purifying [of our] hearts by faith” (Acts 15:9). 

This all sums up what it said about Abraham initially: “By faith Abraham obeyed…” (Hebrews 11:8) and “…he believed in the Lord and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).

And that truly summarizes the meaning of faith; that which allows one to believe in the Lord to the extent that He is obeyed in a way that leads to righteousness. So, it was with Abraham, and so it should be with us.

Just something to think about.