Faith series : What is faith?

The word "faith," translated from Greek is called "pistis" and means to believe, rely upon and to trust in. The bibles definition of faith is found in Hebrews (11:1), in most translations it defines faith as being the assurance of things hoped for, but not yet seen. In other translations it says faith is the substance. Faith is tangible, faith is a real living force, that carries within it the ability to change circumstances and make what seems impossible become possible.

Faith is believing in another reality, that is every bit as real as the reality that we perceive around us with our five natural senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste). This other reality is the spiritual realm, that we tap into through faith, faith in truths found in the word of God, that speak of this spiritual reality. We don't see angels, heaven or hell. We don't see our sins forgiven and we've never seen Jesus crucified on the cross, yet we believe in these truths and place our faith not in what we can see, but in very living word of God. The bible says we walk by faith, not by sight. Smith wigglesworth, an amazing man of God, who saw amazing miracles and the power of God manifested in powerful ways, once said "I'm not moved by what I see or what I feel, but I'm moved by what I believe and I believe the word of God."

Faith believes in the promises of God. We may not feel very forgiven or loved by the Lord, but that doesn't mean that what we feel is the truth. Faith doesn't look at our feelings, but instead trusts in what God says about us. Feelings are fickle and can change in an instant, they're not dependable or trustworthy, but are temporal and subject to change. God's word never changes and will always stand the test of time. We can depend upon and trust in the things, that God says about us in the bible. He says in 1 John (1:9) that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and Just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Throughout the bible we read time after time how much He loves us. Have faith in what you believe. Believe God's word and place your faith in the finished work of the cross.


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