Because of my views on God, I have a different perspective on what is possible. Then we must believe God will ultimately reward those who humbly, obediently seek Him. We’re saved by grace through faith alone according to (Ephesians 2:8). And you will fall down. As a Christian you are a follower of Jesus and you apply the Bible’s teachings-especially the teachings of Jesus-to every aspect of your life. We must base our faith on a correct understanding of God's Word and a commitment to live by that Word. They believed God, even to the point of death, confident that He would deliver them or resurrect them to eternal life in His Kingdom. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. He expects us to act on that belief. Even in modern language, to believe in someone, something or some cause is to have faith in that person, thing or movement—to believe it is true, just and worthy of one's support and involvement. What is faith, and what role does it play in the process of repentance leading to baptism and salvation? It is, however, important to leave science to science and faith to faith. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?” — Robert F. Kennedy. Regardless of your position on organized religion, faith is a critical component in life. I believe that they have within them the capability to be more than they are. Essentially, when it comes to the role of faith and works, it is critical to understand the important distinction between the free gift of eternal life to all who simply believe, and many of the other benefits of the Christian life which can be gained through … It is so much easier — and hell…even more rational — to resist faith. You do well. It does, however, lead to a confident attitude toward God. I took a moment to consider that and came to a realization that surprised me. He requires that we have living faith in His existence, power and promises. It is often times harder to have faith in yourself than it is to have faith in others. Where the Bible lays out the elementary teachings of Christianity in Hebrews 6:1-2 Hebrews 6:1-2 [1] Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, I have been blessed to believe in the capacity of people — even when they may not have faith in themselves. “Oh God, thy sea is so great and my boat is so small.” — John F. Kennedy. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.). The preceding passage describes two aspects of faith. Faith in God requires quite a bit of that given the enormity and scope of what we believe God to be. For myself, here is why I have faith: There was a time in the history of every great thing and every great person when they were not great. They assume He exists, but He is not real enough to them to affect what they think and do. If I can believe in the mystery of God and have faith in something that immense and unexplainable; imagine how much easier it is for me to have faith in others and faith in myself. Faith is a deep conviction that God deeply cares for us and will always act with our best interests at heart. Faith is belief. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. In order to want to have faith, in order to believe, and in order to have trust in greater things, you have to want it. I was recently asked by someone very dear to me how I could possibly have faith in her given that she has so little faith in herself. “There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask why? That will happen — you will be tested. Strict scientific evaluation cannot explain the mystery of faith. And often I believe that in spite of evidence. Living your everyday life in such a way that you apply your faith to every situation and circumstance is something that needs to develop into your character rather than something you do once in a while, e.g. I’m Liberal, I’m Christian, and I’m Apparently Going to Hell. Most people approach it as a religious concept — myself included — but I have always also understood it to be philosophical in nature as well. Faith isn't some magical ingredient. Your Christian faith provides the basis for how you live day by day. Faith gave them assurance to carry on. As the apostle James noted: "You believe that there is one God. They are often surprised to find out how much more they can be than what they once believed. We act in faith when there is no guarantee, no certainty. Some people rise to the level of their comfort — others to the level of their incompetence. and am a member of a Christian community in my home of Denver, Colorado. Changing our lives to submit to God—what the Bible refers to as repentance—is based on the conviction that He will intervene in our lives and ultimately grant us eternal life. Here are 5 reasons why having faith is so important in life. (James 2:19 James 2:19You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.American King James Version×). I have spent nearly a decade in Catholic education (go Jesuits!) What is faith, and what role does it play in the process of repentance leading to baptism and salvation? I routinely come back to one of my favorite quotes that provides me with perspective of how small I am in such a large universe. Faith isn't some magical ingredient. They believed. But let's not make the age-old mistake of thinking that if we believe in God—that is, that He exists—we therefore have faith. Perhaps it is my optimistic midwestern values at work but I believe in the outsized abilities of people. Seeing the limitations of science and making the conscious effort to suspend reason and accept a truth on faith is important. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Having said that, obedience is another indispensable substance that we need to serve God acceptably. It is critical to remember that people have been the creators of great art and literature as well as science and engineering. Belief in God is profitable, but incomplete. © 1995–2020 All correspondence and questions should be sent to info@ucg.org.