Sep 21, 2012 5 min read

Scripture reading: Hebrews 11:1-12. Text: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Two examples will sharpen our insight as we deal with faith. The ladies know well that to prepare a delicious dish, one must have all the necessary ingredients. And the mechanically-minded gentlemen know that an alloy often has better qualities than a pure metal. Your gold ring is not 100% pure gold because gold is too soft to withstand the daily wear to which a ring is exposed.

SOME MAY POSSESS ISOLATED (STERILE), MISINTERPRETED AND MISMATCHED FAITH.

Many among us think that faith is a PLUS; it is a good thing to have but one can exist without it. In the Bible, we find that faith is often affiliated with other attributes, for instance: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13. See also 2 Peter 1:5.

Misunderstood faith and wrong expectations may lead to disappointments:

– Faith is often accompanied by doubt: “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'” Mark 9:24.

– It is wrongly assumed that faith should be rewarded and lead to success: Jesus said, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23/b. See also Matthew 21:22.

– Some think that faith should work wonders. Our Lord declared: “… I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20. This should be interpreted figuratively and not literally.

– We cannot cover all the bases concerning the characteristics and functions of our faith; here we wish to mention only some major attributes and roles of our belief.

THE TYPES OF FAITH THAT ARE MENTIONED AND PRAISED IN THE BIBLE.

SINCERE faith. “I have been reminded of your sincere faith …” 2 Timothy 1:5.

The Greek text says not-hypocritical, that is unfeigned, true.

GENUINE faith. “… so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine …” 1 Peter 1:7. The original text means tested or approved.

STRENGTHENED OR STRONG faith. “Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith …” Romans 4:20. In 1 Peter 5:9/a we read: “Resist him (the devil), standing firm in the faith, …” GREAT faith. “Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.'” Matthew 15:28/a. In James 2:5 we read about richness of faith.

ACTIVE or DEMONSTRATED faith. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6. The original word denotes faith as operative and effective. The New Revised Version says: “… but faith working through love.” See also James 2:17.

PRECIOUS faith. “To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:” 2 Peter 1:1/b. The original word means equally valuable, held in equal honor.

UNCONDITIONAL faith. The Lord said to the doubting Thomas: “‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'” John 20:29/b. John 2:23 underlines our Lord’s statement.

CONNECTING or CONCLUDING faith. Jesus said to the Jews, “‘If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me.'” John 5:46. Logic and faith should not be contradicting but complementing.

INVITING faith. “… so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Ephesians 3:17/a. See also Galatians 2:20.

INSTRUMENTAL faith. “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3.

VICTORIOUS faith. “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4/b. Please read also Hebrews 11:33.

SAVING faith. How encouraging and uplifting it is to hear what Jesus said to the woman: “‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'” Luke 7:50/b. Also “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,” John 3:36/a, as well as John 11:25.

Examining ourselves we feel compelled to beseech our Savior as his apostles did: “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase (strengthen) our faith!'” Luke 17:5.

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Ligonier.