1 Peter 2:17  Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

WHAT IS FAITH

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, as written in the Holy Bible. (Hebrews 11:1)  Faith is God!  We acquire faith through a strong belief in our triune God (Heavenly Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.  Christianity is the only way to our God through Jesus Christ!  God is our Heavenly Father.  Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior!  The Holy Spirit is our helper, giving us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

In a Christian context, faith is often described not just as a belief system, but as a living, active relationship with God. It is grounded in the person and work of Jesus Christ and is considered a central pillar of the Christian life.

1. The Biblical Definition

The most direct scriptural definition is found in Hebrews 11:1, which states:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

This suggests that faith is more than "blind belief"; it is a spiritual confidence that acts as a foundation (substance) for the future and a conviction (evidence) regarding realities that cannot be physically observed.

2. Core Elements of Christian Faith

Christian theology typically breaks faith down into three interconnected parts:

• Knowledge (Notitia): Understanding the facts of the Gospel—the life,      death, and resurrection of Jesus.
• Assent (Assensus): Moving beyond just knowing the facts to believing they are true and relevant.
• Trust (Fiducia): The final step of personal reliance. It is "leaning your whole weight" on God’s promises rather than your own efforts.

3. Faith vs. Works

A major theme in Christianity is the relationship between what one believes and how one lives:

• Salvation by Faith: Most denominations emphasize that salvation is a gift received through faith, not earned by doing good things.
• Faith in Action: Conversely, the Book of James teaches that "faith without works      is dead." This means that genuine faith naturally produces a change in character and a desire to serve others.

4. Faith as a Journey

For many, Christian faith is viewed as a process of sanctification—growing closer to God over time. It involves:

• Prayer and Study: Seeking to understand God's will.
• Community: Living out faith within a church or ministry.

Endurance: Maintaining trust during difficult seasons, often referred to as "walking by faith, not by sight." 

Hebrews 11:1-40:  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (2)  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  (3)  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.  (4)  By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.  (5)  By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "AND WAS NOT FOUND, BECAUSE GOD HAD TAKEN HIM"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  (6)  But 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.  (7)  By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.  (8)  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.  (9)  By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;  (10)  for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.  (11)  By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.  (12)  Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.  (13)  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  (14)  For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.  (15)  And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.  (16)  But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.  (17)  By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,  (18)  of whom it was said, "IN ISAAC YOUR SEED SHALL BE CALLED,"  (19)  concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.  (20)  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.  (21)  By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.  (22)  By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.  (23)  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's command.  (24)  By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,  (25)  choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,  (26)  esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.  (27)  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.  (28)  By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.  (29)  By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.  (30)  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.  (31)  By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.  (32)  And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:  (33)  who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  (34)  quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.  (35)  Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.  (36)  Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.  (37)  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—  (38)  of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.  (39)  And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,  (40)  God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Throughout life, we encounter various levels of need whether it be healing, financial needs, emotional, work, or various other needs.  No one considers faith as being an active part of our lives.  The fact is, faith is with us.  God is with us therefore, God is faith!  God wants us to use our faith which is Him.  When we use our faith, we acknowledge God as part of our lives and we believe in Him.  In today's time, it's increasingly critical that we learn about our Lord Jesus Christ, accept Him into our lives, make Him our Lord and Savior and let Him reign in our lives.  When we allow Him to be part of our lives, we allow Him to guide us through every step in life.  The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  We stop taking for granted what God has given to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.  God blesses each day of our lives making it more easy to take on the challenges of everyday lives.

We often struggle in healing, blessings, financial difficulties, freedom, etc.  However, when we ask our Heavenly Father, things change mightily and knowing He changed things based upon our belief, trust, and faith in Him, we experience God's richest blessings in our lives.  The Holy Bible says in Hebrews 11:1, "Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

"When a Christian tries to live by reason he is moving out of God’s country into the enemy’s land. We belong in the miraculous and the supernatural realm."  John G. Lake

The Lord establishes us in Himself and provides us with love, grace, peace, joy, health, and prosperity.  There is a distinct "grace" which, God releases in His Gospel to us when we have obedience to the faith, God's creative power and love enters our lives and situation and mighty things change in Jesus name!

Rom 16:25  "Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 

Rom 16:26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—

Rom 16:27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

Hebrews 11:1:  "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. (3) By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."

Join us in learning how we can live a full life with Jesus as our "centerpiece" in all we do by coming to Destiny Faith Center.