4 - You Can Have Life by Faith Towards God
FAITH IS THE OPPOSITE OF DOUBT
If you are not sure about God and His word, if
you are not yet convinced regarding these
things, then you have doubt, not faith because:
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen.” (He 11:1)
Faith
is being assured, convinced, or persuaded
about the unseen God and His prophetic,
promising word. People of faith are blessed.
For example:
- Elizabeth Blessed Mary for Her Faith
“Blessed is she who believed that there
would be a fulfillment of what had been
spoken to her by the Lord.” (Lk 1:45)
So, by faith, Mary believed the Lord regarding
something that she did not yet see, a Child.
Do you believe that God will bring to pass
what He has promised you in the Gospel,
even though you have not seen it come to
pass yet? If so, you are blessed.
- Jesus Blessed Those Who Would Believe
“Blessed are they who did not see, and yet
believed.” (Jn 20:29) So Jesus was blessing you, if you believe in
Him though you were not there to see Him.
GET FAITH BY HEARING ABOUT THE MESSIAH
“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by
the word of Christ.” (Ro 10:17)
So if you have heard the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, then you have had the opportunity to
receive faith. But hearing alone is no guarantee
that you will gain faith toward God, and all of its
associated benefits. “Indeed we have had good
news preached to us, just as they also [the
Israelites]; but the word they heard did not
profit them because it was not united by faith
in those who heard.” (He 4:2) Therefore,
hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is
beneficial to you only if you become inwardly
sure and certain about the words it contains.
.... more about this in the Bible Study on Salvation, Part 1