What is Faith?

Faith is a term many Christians throw around loosely.  And I am convinced that many, if not the majority, do not know what faith is, why it is needed, hot to know if they are in faith, and how to find faith. 

We find our definition of faith in Romans 4:18-21.  Oh, I know what many of you are thinking, “No, Gary.  Hebrews 11:1 is our definition of faith.”

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

---Hebrews 11:1

Yes, that is the traditional answer, but if you look at the scripture, Hebrews 11:1 is telling us the benefits of faith, not what faith actually is.  I believe our scripture in Romans will give us a very clear picture of what faith actually is.

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”  Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.  Yet he not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

--Romans 4:18-21

Let’s understand the setting of this story.  Abraham and Sarah could not have children.  I do not mean they were having trouble conceiving a child and should keep trying.  I mean they were almost 100 years of age, and it was over.  Their bodies could not have children; it was impossible!  Yet God promised Abraham a child even though in the natural it was utterly impossible.  The Bible says that Abraham was fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he said in spite of the natural facts that stated a different story.  Here is our definition of faith: “being fully persuaded that God has power to do what He had promised.”  I state it this way: Being in agreement with heaven, not just mentally but fully persuaded, our hearts settled and convinced totally of what God has said, in spite of the natural realm indicating something else. 

Our Definition of What Faith Is:

Faith is being fully persuaded of what God says!  It is our heart and mind being in agreement with heaven, our hearts being fully persuaded, confident, and at rest.