Faith, What It is and Why It is needed

Faith is a straightforward thing. Faith has an owner and an object. Who needs faith? The answer is anyone who cannot do something. They are the owner. The object of faith can do the thing the object needs. For example, if you (owner) cannot fix your plumbing but know a plumber (object), you need faith.

Faith is made up of belief and trust. In the above example, you know the plumber exists, and if you trust that he/she will fix your plumbing (reward), you have faith in that plumber.

 Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. When one has faith in God, it pleases Him. This is believing. Trust is manifested as we wait for Him to answer. The answer is the reward for seeking Him. Faith in God manifests itself in being assured of an answer, even when it takes time to see it (Heb. 11:1).

God is Almighty. He does not need faith, and there is no one greater. Therefore, to have faith in God is our assurance that we will receive the thing for which we ask.

Every believer should have an attitude or outlook of faith. This attitude is what Paul means when he speaks of the “spirit of faith” (2 Cor. 4:13). Paul expresses this attitude by declaring he is victorious (14), God will be glorified (15), and that his trials worked for him, not against him (16–17).

This post serves as a starting point for a discussion on this subject. Feel free to comment.