Faith occupies a preeminent place in the Bible. Without it, pleasing God is impossible (Hebrews 11:6). Exploring faith’s dimensions helps us understand it more fully. Our faith needs ongoing attention.
My mother died in 1956. She used the same aluminum vegetable blanching pot seventy years ago that I used in 2023. I feel a connection with her when it is on the stove. It has received no maintenance other than washing after each use.
Our bodies aren’t like that. They must adapt to keep from overheating when they are surrounded by air that is 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Scientists use the word homeostasis to describe this self-regulation. It includes maintaining our body temperature, pH, fluid balance, blood sugar levels, and other variables though our diet, environment, and activity level vary.
I won’t bore you with the details. Frankly, I don’t fully understand them. Suffice it to say that an awesomely wise God created us with all these regulatory abilities in place. If scientists created life that couldn’t regulate itself, it wouldn’t last long.
Unlike my blanching pot, our faith needs attention. Unlike our bodies, faith can’t regulate itself.
First, let’s consider faith as a noun. In Philippians 1:27, the Apostle Paul identified “the faith” with the Good News. It describes the gospel of Christianity as a package. It includes what Christians must believe and how they must live.
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT). “The faith” describes the Good News in Acts 14:22; 1 Timothy 1:2, 3:9, 6:21; 2 Timothy 2:18; Titus 1:4, 13; Philemon 1:10; 1 John 2:13, 14; and Jude 1:3.
Faith is used as a noun more than a verb in the Bible. It means to trust or believe in something so thoroughly that it affects every area of life. I believe in the value of back-strengthening exercises and do them regularly.
Since I believe back exercises are important, I do them. Biblical belief allows no contentment with a profession and practice disconnect. Admittedly, living the gospel is a lifelong pursuit to become more like Jesus, and none of us has yet arrived.
“Belief” that downplays the importance of godly conduct lacks a foundation of repentance. It is just mental agreement with the facts of the gospel but no commitment to the changed life the gospel produces. “Faith” that doesn’t transform doesn’t save either.
Strengthening our faith is a cooperative effort between us and God. Like water in a glass, our faith will evaporate over time if we ignore it and take it for granted. #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
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