Faith Required

Faith is required for the Christian life. Without faith, we cannot be saved. Without faith we cannot worship God, we cannot walk with God, we cannot work for God, we will stop waiting on God, and we will allow our weakness to overwhelm and govern us. To be sure, “without faith it is impossible to please him” (Heb. 11:6).

How essential is faith to the Christian life? Here is the answer: “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (Heb. 10:38). Faith is being convinced of what God says in His Word, and then acting upon it. According to Hebrews 11:1, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith is the real existence (reality) of things you have confidence in; it the received evidence (proof) that convinces you of things unseen.

Anything that is not sight requires faith. We trust God in the moment and for the future. According to I Corinthians 13, when we are in heaven, faith and hope will be fulfilled. In the meantime, we need faith—for everything that God’s Word says; for everything that counters our flesh and its tendencies; for everything we know we should do. Spiritual growth comes in persisting to do or to trust despite the negative circumstances. The Lord gives grace to live by faith. When we do, He strengthens us, and we please Him—by faith.