FAITH

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith … “
Ephesians 3:16-17 NIV

FAITH

A commitment to complete confidence, trust and loyalty in God, His promises, and His love for us. This commitment is a foundational, active and relational commitment that calls for action, obedience and endurance. Real faith comes from our heart and entrusts our life to God’s loving hands. When we put faith in God, He molds our character to be more like His and blesses us for good. We find ourselves trusting in the power of the Father and in our Lord Jesus instead of ourselves. It is faith that helps us through the dark clouds and keeps us focused on the assurance of the glorious hope we share.

The obedience that comes from faith

For a fuller meaning of faith that goes beyond trust and loyalty, we need to consider obedience. Scripture tells us that the personal faith that comes from hearing the word and confessing Jesus’ lordship includes “the obedience of faith” or commitment. In his last thoughts in writing to the Romans, Paul states that the gospel, or the message of the good news about Jesus Christ, has been revealed to the Gentiles and subsequently to us so that we “might believe and obey him”.

Makes us right in His sight

This Good News or the gospel tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Faith, Love and Endurance

Paul ties these concepts together so well in his first letter to the Thessalonians where he writes: “As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

…that you may know the

HOPE

to which he has called you

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Colossians 1:27 NIV

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV

“… but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31NIV

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:21-23 NIV

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,”

Hebrews 6:19 NIV

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NIV

THE FOLLOWING THREE “FAITH STORIES”, DRAWN FROM THE FABRIC OF EVERYDAY LIFE, ARE INSPIRING EXAMPLES OF AN ENDURING FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD. PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR TIME AND LISTEN TO THEM.