Faith is believing that God exists and will reward us for diligently seeking Him. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Faith is believing God will do what He said He would do. Embracing God’s promises requires faith and patience. “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).
The perfect principles of God’s Word form the basis of faith. Faith is also dependent on our practice, which is imperfect and flawed. We can believe but also battle unbelief. “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Faith is not an emotion. It is confidence in God who keeps His promises.
We are not operating in faith if we base our actions on emotions. We are not operating in faith if we base our actions on circumstances. God often tests our faith by allowing us to face impossible circumstances, which can affect us emotionally.
God promised Abraham and Sarah a son. Sarah was barren. Abraham was old. Against hope, Abraham believed. The promise had not yet come to pass. Abraham was one hundred years old when Isaac was born, and Sarah was ninety. From a mother’s perspective, I can understand how the test of their faith and patience required unshakable faith. (Read Romans 4:20-22, Hebrews 11:1.) A key to having unshakeable faith is not to consider your circumstances but to consider your faithful God.
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We must mix the Word of God with our faith, or it will not profit us. “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2). The more we base our lives on the principles of God’s Word, the more we will live in faith.
Let’s turn now from discussing principles of faith to practicing faith.
When I was young, my parents took our family to the Great Smoky Mountains on vacation. We stopped at a rest area for a break. While we were there, the heavy car door accidentally shut on my arm. I had a visibly broken bone between my elbow and wrist. Although my dad had been a backslider for many years, he knew what to do. He told my mom they needed to pray. After a quiet prayer, they opened their eyes and immediately observed that my arm had healed and returned to the correct position. It was a miraculous healing!
Justin, our third son, was born with a heart condition called aortic valve stenosis. We had faith in God for a miracle. Rather than heal him, God chose to spare his life through medical means. Justin had open heart surgery at age three. Even when our prayers were not answered as we hoped, we did not stop believing. Only God can perform the miracle. Only we can provide the faith.
Thirty-six years later, Justin is healthy. He has undergone two more major surgeries to address his aortic valve, but we still consider him a miracle and give God the glory.
Hebrews 11 chronicles the stories of the heroes of faith. Receiving a miracle was not the litmus test of faith. Some received their miracles, and others did not. However, these men and women all died in faith and received a good report. (Read Hebrews 11:39.)
The seasons of life will test your faith. Stay rooted in the Bible. Believe that God keeps His Word. Combine patience with faith. Don’t live by emotions, and don’t be shaken by circumstances.
Never forget: God, who makes promises, is faithful to His Word.
Carol Johns and her husband, Darrell, have been married for forty-five years and pastor the Atlanta West Pentecostal Church in Atlanta, Georgia. She is Mom to Ryan (Kinsie), Joel (Alonda), Justin (Theresa), and Nana to eight adorable grandchildren.
