3 Ways to Live by Faith

One of the most maddening statements in all of Christendom is, “Have Faith!” I remember being told this quip by many well intentioned friends as a young disciple but it meant nothing to me. If I had a bad day, “Have Faith!” When I was hurt by others, “Have Faith!” When I felt unsure about a course of action, “Have Faith!” When I was afraid to act, “Have Faith!” I felt as if all people could say is, “Pray and Have Faith!” I know prayer is important, but what was this faith thing all about? The following is what my careful study of faith has uncovered.

I remember reading almost 20 years ago from the great biblical teacher Gordon Ferguson that faith was about trust, belief and obedience. This is a great outline to understand what real faith looks like when it is lived out.

As a student and follower of Jesus, I believe that faith in God is the key to a successful and victorious life. This is not the way to get rich or be famous, but it is the way to live that brings you the healthiest outcomes. A life of faith will positively impact your anxiety, relationships, lifestyle, character, marriage, parenting, focus and goals.

According to Hebrews 11:1,

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Faith then is about developing surety and certainty regarding the things related to God. But how do we develop faith? Romans 10:17 says,

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ

The Word of God, also called His revelation, is our source to develop more faith. Through His word, God reveals Himself and His will for our lives.

God’s Revelation can be broken down into three areas: The truths of God, the commands of God and the promises of God.

1. Truths of God
These are the objective facts made known by God, about God and His kingdom. They are foundational and we are called to believe them.

2. Commands of God
These are the authoritative directions that reveal the will of God. They are the specific actions He instruct us to do. These actions and behaviors are not meant to control or manipulate us. His commands lead us to live the very lives we were created to have.

3. Promises of God
These are God’s assurances of what He will or will not do in the future. Some of these promises are conditioned by our actions (i.e. obedience and belief), but many are general assurances of how God will conduct Himself with us now and forever.

Faith is our proper response to God’s revelation. Many people of God called their peers to respond to God in the scriptures (Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Joshua 24:14-15). There is a response to each of God’s revelation.

1. Believe the Truths
Our beliefs are the conviction of the facts given by God

John 6:29 – Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
2 Cor 4:13 – It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak

Faith here means believing God’s truths even when you cannot see, feel, hear, taste, touch or know they are true. We may be required to believe God’s truth even when it seems false.

Faith is believing what God says is true
God’s Truth
God exists
God loves you
The Bible is God’s word
God created the World
Death is not the end
Heaven is real
Jesus died for sin
Jesus is the Messiah
Sin is real & dangerous

The truths of God are often attacked and discredited today by the intellectual elite and in mainstream society. Our faith is shown by our consistent belief despite these attacks.

2. Obey the Commands
Obedience is conducting ourselves in accordance to God’s will

1 Samuel 15:22 – To obey is better than sacrifice
Hebrews 11:8 – By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place … obeyed and went

Faith means obeying God’s commands when you don’t naturally desire to obey them. Emotionally, you don’t want to forgive but you pray daily to do so. You keep your commitment even when you don’t want to, you let the bible and not your emotions dictate your actions.

Faith is obeying God’s commands
God’s Command
Do not commit immorality
Do not lie, cheat, steal
Forgive and be forgiven
Live Humbly
Overlook an offence
Speak to build up
Go and Make disciples
Confess your sins to one another

It seems that God’s commands are either impossible to do or much too outdated for our lives today. We must resist the temptation to disobey God and instead live as He has directed us.

3. Trust the Promises
Trust is a reliance on God’s promises regardless of the situation

Jeremiah 17:7 – But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
Romans 4:5 – to the man who… trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness

Faith means trusting God’s promises even when you have reasons not to do so. You may feel like the biggest fool in the world but you keep on praying and believing that God will act in the ways He has promised.

Faith is trusting God’s promises
God Promises
Everlasting Life
The forgiveness of sins
God gives us a hope and a future
Jesus will always be with you
The harvest is plentiful
God is in control
Evil will not go unpunished

Many believe today that God’s promises form a belief system that is unique to Christianity and applies only to the adherents of that religion

Practical Application
See how one passage uses all three types of revelation and how we can exercise faith.

Matthew 28:16–20 (NIV)
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Truth: All authority has been given to Jesus. BELIEVE IT!
Commands: Go and makes disciples, baptize them, Teach them to obey everything. OBEY IT!
Promise: I am with you always. TRUST IT!

You can exercise your faith by believing what you can’t see or prove, obeying when you have every reason not to and by trusting what seems unreliable.

What do you think faith is? How do you grow in your faith? Please comment below and join the conversation.