When most people hear the word “faith”, they think of it as a blind leap into the unknown. They see it as believing in something without proof. The Bible, however, shows a very different perspective on what it means to have faith. Instead of a leap into the unknown dark, biblical faith is a confident trust in God. This trust is built on the solid evidence of His character and promises. It’s the assurance of the things we hope for and the proof of things we cannot see, as explained in Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV).
This post will look at this profound concept. It will go beyond the simple but often misunderstood definition of biblical faith. I will talk about what faith truly is and what it means for Christians in every day life. Faith is not just a belief, but a powerful, active trust in God and His promises.
I will show you that faith is not a finished, one and done product. It is something that gets strengthened, developed, and finally perfected in Jesus Christ, the supreme example of a life lived in perfect faith.
Faith
Faith: At it’s very basic level, is defined as a trust or belief in someone or something. This could be as simple as trusting that a chair will support your weight when you sit in it. In this sense, you could say you have faith in a chair, even if it seems strange to think of it that way! But I can see a chair-you can’t see God. Then take oxygen for example: you can’t see it, but you believe and count on it being there. By definition, you have faith in oxygen even though it’s invisible. It sounds kind of silly to have faith in a chair or oxygen, especially since we generally feel and look at faith as being something deeper. Believe it or not, faith in objects or substances-like chairs and oxygen- are all the faith some people have. Many people, however, reserve the word “faith” for belief in a supernatural being, like God. Since they don’t believe in said being, they believe they don’t have faith. But, as much as some people don’t want to believe it, everyone has faith in something. The kind of “faith” depends on the definition.
Secular faith is based on humans and science. It trusts in human ability, “reason”, and scientific understanding to solve problems and “make things better.” On the other hand, Biblical faith is grounded in the person and promises of God. Just because scientists can’t pin God down or study Him like a lab experiement, He must not exist. Biblical faith is objective, rooted in the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ and the Bible. Unlike secular faith, which often changes based on personal interpretation and experience, biblical faith is solid and universal. It doesn’t change with circumstances or vary from person to person. While there are many denominations within Christianity, there are still core beliefs that unite believers and provide a solid foundation for faith.
The definition of biblical faith is found in Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV). It is a fundamental verse that speaks of faith as being the “substance of things hoped for” and “evidence of things not seen.”
Substance of things hoped for
- It describes how faith makes a future, unseen reality feel solid in the present. In other words, faith allows us to experience the intangible, hoped-for things as if they are already a tangible reality in our lives. It’s when you’re so sure about what you hope for, even though you can’t see it or touch it yet. Faith makes it feels as real as if it were already happening.
- According to some biblical scholars, the Greek word ‘hypostasis’ (translated as ‘substance’) could also mean ‘title deed’ or ‘assured expectation’. Like a title deed to a house shows ownership, faith is like the legal document that guarantees a future possession or ownership. For believers, our faith is the absolute assurance that the promises of God are a certain reality, even if we can’t see them yet.
- This phrase also shows that faith is what makes hope feel real and constant. Without faith, hope is just a fragile wish that can easily be lost. Hope is wishing for a good outcome, while faith is the strong belief and knowledge that your wish will actually come true.
- Faith allows us to have a preview of the good things God has promised for the future. This preview gives us peace and happiness, even when we can’t see or experience those promises yet. For example,knowing you’ll spend eternity with God in glory gives you faith in that promised future reality. Knowing and believing in a future with God brings you happiness and peace, even though you’re not in heaven yet. Faith makes the future reality feel present and tangible. This emphasizes that faith is not a vague hope or wishful thinking. It is a real and present reality. The author of Hebrews doesn’t just tell us to have faith, he shows a long history of biblical figures who lived by their faith (Hebrews 11:4-12)(NKJV). The fact that God kept His promise to those, gives us today solid, historical evidence to trust that He will keep His promises to us as well.
Evidence of things not seen
- Faith provides proof or a confidence about realities that we cannot observe with our physical senses. Simply put, we have an unwavering faith about things we hold true, even without physical or tangible proof. The unwavering faith that heaven is real and that we will spend eternity there. This is even without being able to see and touch it right now.
- Faith involves trusting the unseen. Even without physical proof, believers have confidence in God’s promises. It’s about trusting in God’s character and promises, which are unfaltering, unshakable, and steadfast. It’s not about focusing on what is seen around them. Wind is an example of this. You cannot see the wind, but you can see the effects of it-swaying trees and blowing leaves. Faith is the conviction that unseen spiritual realities are at work in the world. The effects of that unseen reality serve as your ‘evidence’.
- Faith motivates people to act on their convictions. Faith is more than a passing belief, mental state, or wishful thinking. Faith is the powerful force that drives a person’s behavior. It is a conviction that unseen spiritual realities are true, which directs and inspires visible actions, decisions, and endurance.
Let’s revisit the chair example. You believe the chair is strong enough to support your weight. This is an inactive, passive belief-a belief that exists soley in your mind. Active faith is demonstrated when you actually sit down. You are putting your faith into action and trusting that the chair will hold you. Your actions demonstrate your faith. In the same way, your faith is demonstrated through witnessing. You can be an incredibly strong witness without even opening your mouth. The way you act and carry yourself says more about you than anything that could come out of your mouth. People watch people. Right or wrong, they determine who and the kind of person you are strictly by your actions. Especially if you wear a cross or have a fish on your car. They are eager to see if your actions match your faith.
Faith is active
Faith is not just a passive belief, but an active force, that compels us to act and make decisions. It’s the driving force behind our choices and motivation for our actions. The Bible is filled with examples of people who demonstrated active faith, and two such examples are Abraham and Noah.
Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV) talks about Noah who was warned by God of a flood he had never seen. In faith, he took action and built an ark. His faith inspired him to build a humongous ship on dry land-an active response to an unseen event.
Hebrews 11:8 (NKJV) speaks of Abraham’s faith being active when he obeyed God’s command to leave his home for an unknown destination. He left his life behind, trusting in God’s promise.
Faith Beyond Sight
2 Corinthians 5:7 (AMP) says that we “walk by faith…not by sight or appearance.” This verse is saying that the decisions we make and actions we take should be based on our deep trust in God and His promises. They are not based on what we see, feel, or understand in the moment. If you walk by sight you are focusing on the difficulties in life. The scary parts like bills piling up, bad news from the doctor, and the uncertainty of the future. This verse tells you to trust. Instead of relying on our physical senses, we should use our spiritual vision to guide us. It’s choosing to believe God is still in control, even when everything seems to be falling apart. It’s choosing to trust that He has a bigger, eternal plan and that the struggles are only temporary. We are on a walk and a walk(action) implies a journey. It is a single step followed by another. Faith isn’t about ignoring the problems or pretending you are not in pain-physically or emotionally. It is about deliberately taking one step forward with confidence, even when things are tough.
Walking by Faith:Practical Steps for Living Out Your Beliefs
Faith isn’t just about believing in God’s promises; it’s about taking action-living out your beliefs daily. As the Bible says in James 2:17 (NKJV), faith by itself, if it does not have works (action), is dead. So how can we put our faith into action and take those deliberate steps forward even when we can’t see the whole path ahead of us? I’m so glad you asked! Here are some practical ways to put your faith into action daily.
Serving Others
- This often means actively looking for the needs of others and helping to meet those needs. Look to Jesus as an example of a servant. You don’t have to wash people’s feet but Christ’s whole life was an example of servitude. Jesus didn’t just talk about serving-He lived it. From healing the sick to feeding the hungry, He consistently prioritized the needs of others above His own. He showed us that true servitude requires more than just performing a single act of kindness-it requires a consistent commitment to putting others before yourself. You can volunteer at your local food bank or shelter. Donate socks and blankets to a homeless shelter, volunteer at the hospital to just talk and listen to patients, or tend to babies in the NICU who desperately need human contact. Wherever there is a need-do something about it. In Matthew 25:40 (NKJV)Christ says that whatever you do for the “least of these”, you do for Me. As we strive to follow Jesus’ example, let’s remember that every act of service, no matter how small, has the power to change lives and honor the One who gave everything for us.
Obedience
- Obedience to God’s Word. Active faith goes beyond simply hearing and agreeing with Scripture. It’s putting those teachings into practice in our daily lives. As James 1:22 (NKJV) tells us, it’s not enough to listen to the Word; we have to do what it says. This means making honest choices at work, even when it might be tempting to cut corners or be dishonest about your breaks. It also means being truthful in our everyday interactions, like returning extra change to the cashier. It means consistently doing what the Bible says, even when it’s hard or against ‘cultural norms’.
Trusting
- Trusting God in difficult circumstances. When you face a challenge and choose to rely on God’s promise instead of giving in to fear, you are actively living out your faith. If you or a loved one gets a difficult medical diagnosis, you can choose to trust God for strength and wisdom, instead of giving in to fear. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)says to “trust in the Lord with all your heart” and don’t count or depend on what you know or understand. God works beyond comprehension and reason. He will lead you on the right path and give you the strength to persevere.
Prayer
- In its simplest form, prayer is talking to God. It is a spiritual form of actively conversing with our Lord. Prayer shouldn’t solely be about requesting things. Prayer is a foundational element of faith that serves many functions. It’s the primary way for believers to communicate with God. It fosters an intimate, ongoing relationship with the Father. It is two-way communication where we speak to God but must also actively listen for His response or guidance. James 4:8 (AMP)tells us to “come close to God and He will come close to you….”
- Prayer offers peace and wisdom by allowing us to give our worries, cares , and anxieties to God. By actively trusting that He will handle them, we experience a peace that goes beyond our understanding, as described in Philippians 4:6-7 (RSV).
- James 1:5 (AMP) offers another reward of prayer: If we lack wisdom and ask God for it in faith, He promises to provide it generously.
- Intercessory prayer is another vital aspect, allowing us to show compassion and concern for others who are hurting or in need. Jesus set the example by praying for His disciples and future believers (John 17:20)(NKJV), and even for His Roman executioners in His final moments (Luke 23:34)(NKJV).
- Prayer serves as a pathway to confess our sins and repent, leading to forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 (KJV) assures us that when we confess our sins, God will forgive us.
- An active prayer life also strengthens us to resist sin by aligning our will with God’s and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Spending time in conversation with God shifts our thoughts and priorities, and as we learn to love what He loves and hate what He hates, the allure of sin weakens.
- As described in Ephesians 6:18 (NIV), prayer serves as an active weapon spiritual warfare, enabling us to resist the devil by calling on God’s power and overcoming destructive thoughts and patterns of sin.
- Through prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, empowering us to walk in step with Him rather than yielding to the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)(NIV). The Holy Spirit offers guidance and strength, revealing the “way of escape” that God provides when you are tempted (1 Corinthians 10:13)(NKJV).
- Rather than always asking God for things, cultivate gratitude for what you see, have, and experience-the roof over your head, the food you eat, the people who love you, the sunshine, the rain, and the beauty that surrounds you. Given all that He has done and given, how could one not be thankful?
- At its core, prayer is about building a relationship with God through two-way, personal conversation. Just as in any relationship, these conversations help you to get to know God and you will grow closer over time. Remember, prayer is not just a wish list, but a dialogue that deepens our connection with God.
Meditation
- To meditate is to think about something deeply and carefully over time. (Joshua 1:8)(NKJV) commands us to meditate on God’s Word ‘day and night’; this means to deeply and thoughtfully contemplate Scripture. Turning it over and over in your mind, heart, and spirit until it becomes part of you. It’s intentionally filling your entire being with God’s truths. This will bring your thoughts and actions in alignment with God’s purpose and will for your life.
- When beginning to read Scripture, start with prayer. Ask God to reveal to you what He wants you and help you understand Hid Word. Read with an open heart, a teachable spirit, and the knowledge that the Holy Spirit will reveal His truths to you (John 16:13). As you read, make notes of things that capture your attention, whether they are challenging or confirm what you already believe. Reading it aloud can sometimes bring clarity.
- Engaging with Scripture in this way not only helps you better understand God’s Word but also leads ton personal transformation as stated in Romans 12:2 (NIV). This transformation aligns your mind with God’s will, allowing you to discern His “good and perfect will”.Meditating on God’s Word feeds your spirit and helps you grow in wisdom, faith and obedience.
- Meditating on Scripture can also be a source of strength and guidance during challenging times. This was demonstrated by Jesus when He resisted temptation in the wilderness.
Sharing the Gospel.
- Called evangelism: this is an act of faith. As you share the Gospel or tell someone the reason for your positive, happy outlook, the Holy Spirit is working in the heart of that person. They may not be receptive at that particular time, but you have planted seeds and God and the Holy Spirit will water them. But just as important, you have obeyed God by spreading the Good News. You don’t have to give a full blown disertation. It could be as simple as how God has worked in your life or why you have such an upbeat personality. Try to invite someone to church. They may say no, but seeds have been planted. They will put two and two together and begin to see that you are different. But only if your actions match your faith. In Romans 10:14 (NKJV) Christ asks the disciples how can they (unbelievers) call on who they don’t believe in? How can they believe if they haven’t heard? How can they hear without someone telling them? It is a call for every Christian to actively let unbelievers know about Christ. That way, they have a choice whether or not to believe. If no one tells them, they won’t even have the option-in which case, we have not done our due diligence. Everyone has the right to decide, but they have to hear our side.
Loving Others
- Faith be. ing expressed by loving others is (or should be) the trademark of an active faith. Love is the clearest, most distinguishing characteristic of a true believer. 1 John 4:8 (NKJV)says that to not know love is to not know God because “God is love”. Love is the ultimate evidence of faith and is unconditional. For Christians, our ability to love-even the “unlovable” comes from our knowledge and acceptance of God’s unconditional love for us. We cannot comprehend the magnitude of the love God has for us. That love fills us and overflows to others. We could not love without God. To be filled with God is to be filled with love. To love God is to love others. There are a million ways to show love. All of the faith actions already spoke of speak to and center around love. We obey God’s Word because we love. We conversate with Him because we love Him. Sharing the Gospel is because we love and don’t want any soul to perish (Matthew 18:12-14)(AMP). We serve others out of love. Out of love we can be a listening ear when someone is struggling. Extending grace instead of anger, by turning the other cheek, is an act of love. With love, you forgive those who have hurt you. Every good action you do through faith is because of the love God has for you. Be active in your faith and let the love of God overflow into every area of your life. 1 John 3:18 (AMP)says to not love superficially, with speech alone. Anyone can say “I love you”. Love with your actions and in truth.
To sum it up, the world offers many different kinds of beliefs. Biblical faith, however, is constant and sure. You know what you believe from the Bible. It is fully centered on the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. It is unwavering, steadfast and solid. Biblical faith is set apart by its active and practicoal nature. It isn’t just a passive acceptance of ideas, but a living, breathing trust in God-an “assurance of things hoped for” and “evidence of things not seen.” This means that even though the path is not completely mapped out, we have a confidence that is built on God’s character and promises.
As I have shown you, this biblical faith is meant to be lived out, not just thought about. Our faith drives us to serve others, obey God’s Word, and trust Him in our deepest darkest times. And as a result, we demonstrate this active faith in prayer, meditation, sharing the Gospel, and most importantly, in loving others. It transforms our belief into an active faith that shows the world what it truly looks like to be completely convinced of God’s presence and power.
The journey of faith is not a one-time decision that we perfect on our own. We are constantly being strengthened and refined. We are not the ones who have to perfect and finish the process (thankfully). We plug along-one step after another-“looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2)(KJV). He is the One who began our faith and He is the One who will perfect and complete it. Christ, the perfect example of an active, enduring faith, went through the ultimate trial on the cross. Our fiery trials” (1 Peter 4:12)(KJV) in the “furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10)(NKJV) do not begin to compare. But, by keeping our eyes fixed on Him, He carries us through our struggles and works to make our faith whole.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
The transformative power of faith is one of the most awe-inspiring and possibly most intense experiences someone could have. The change is as different as night and day with no sunrise or sunset to blend the two together. If any of you have read my testimony, you know I was very much night. I dabbled in the occult, was an alcoholic and addict, and emotionally unavailable-an all around hard, bitter, and angry mess. I couldn’t figure out why my life was so bad but also refusing to take responsibility for my choices. I had turned away from God and had no faith in anyone or anything.
Conversion can happen in one of two ways. It could be a more immediate and extreme conversion like Saul/Paul. He was blinded on the road to Damascus. His was an instantaneous conversion after being blinded and spoken to by Jesus. He immediately had an active faith. The Bible says he prayed and was baptized as soon as he regained his sight. Or, it could be a more gradual process like Peter’s journey from denying Christ to becoming a courageous leader, spreading the Gospel of Jesus.
My conversion was more like Saul/Paul-quick and instantaneous. I was sitting on my couch and the most amazing feeling came over me. It was a feeling I had never experienced-but I felt. I somehow knew it was God calling me back to Him. Telling me that He never left, I did. The peace and calmness I felt was something I didn’t want to let go of. I prayed for the forgiveness and mercy only God can give. I was back in His fold and somehow knew this time it was going to stick.
I also knew my circumstances were going to get better and everything was going to be okay. I’m not saying I’m on easy street, but my life has been so much better. I am feeling again, a little at a time, but His peace never leaves me. I am now a woman with a positive outlook on life. Seeing the good in situations and people has become more natural. I have become a grateful, happy person, working on a rock solid faith. Being in the Word daily, serving who and where I can, and obedience to God while spreading the Word through this blog are very important to me. Talking to God has become a pleasant habit. When I say I talk to God, I mean I take everything to Him. The most mundane or childish things go up to Him. Matthew 18:3 (NIV)says that if you do not come to the Lord “like little children”, the kingdom of heaven will be lost to you. He is my Father. I know, as a parent, that the responsibility of the big stuff is mine. My kids were just supposed to be kids. So, yes, I come to Him as a child.
I realize I have responsibilities to Him, so, like a child, I “keep my room picked up” and “help with the dishes” so to say. The big stuff is His responsibility.
The change in me has been monumental. I am, now, a person people want to be around. I am trusted with my nieces and am mending broken relationships of the past. I can, truly, say that I love myself and the person God is molding me in to. To say it’s been a life-changing experience wouldn’t do it justice. To quote Joyce Meyer, “My worst day with Christ is better than my best day without Him.”