What is Faith? We are often astonished when asked about belief in the existence of a Creator.

In our busy mundane lives, we often think more about ourselves and how to bring food to the dinner table and increase our earthly possessions. Usually, God takes a back seat.

We face diverse daily challenges and difficulties undermining our Faith and trust in God. We neglect to honor, praise, and pray to Him, especially when we experience disease, job loss, or separation from the family. But God tells us to remain faithful to Him, despite all odds.

Abraham: A man of true Faith

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." - Hebrews 11:8

The testing of Abraham. Image: Canva

Abraham, renowned as the father of numerous nations, exemplified unwavering faith in his devotion to God.

With a divine mission bestowed upon him, he was tasked with establishing the Jewish state, a crucial foundation for the eventual arrival of our Messiah.

Billions of individuals would later revere this significant endeavor across Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths.

Setting out on a remarkable journey, Abraham courageously embarked on an expedition into uncharted territory, accompanied by his family and valuable possessions. Remarkably, he exhibited unwavering trust in God without doubt or hesitation.

As a profound testament to his faith, Abraham faced an immensely challenging test of loyalty when God instructed him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac.

In the sacred scriptures of Genesis 22, the Lord commanded Isaac to be offered as a burnt offering upon the mountains. As Abraham prepared to carry out this daunting act, his hand raised, a celestial emissary appeared - a divine angel sent by the Lord Himself.

With resolute authority, the heavenly messenger admonished Abraham, uttering these profound words: "Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son" (Genesis 22:12). At this moment, Abraham's unwavering faith and fear of God were unequivocally evident, having proven his loyalty by withholding nothing, not even his cherished and only son.

What is Faith and its essential elements?

“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, 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

Image: Guilherme Stecanella | Unsplash

Here are the crucial principles of true faith:

• Faith is a gift from God. It is freely given to those who believe in the Lord.
• Faith starts small. Like a mustard seed, Faith starts small but grows enormous, becoming a refugee for many birds.
• Faith requires sheer trust and obedience. Faith means the unswerving belief that God is always working for our good.
• Faith means action. True faith means doing the will of God in absolute terms, like prayer and doing good deeds,

Five pillars for building your Faith

"He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.’” - Matthew 13:31-32

Image: Pablo Heimplatz | Unsplash

The Bible often speaks about the increasing of one's Faith. What is Faith building? These are the necessary ways we must practice to strengthen our Faith:

Prayer

Prayer is talking to God. It forms a foundational pillar of Faith, enabling individuals to establish a deep and personal connection with a higher power. It is a profound and intimate communication, allowing people to seek guidance and express gratitude, forgiveness, and solace.

Reading the Bible

The Bible is the source of truth. This pillar underscores the significance of studying and contemplating the Scriptures. Engaging with these divine words enables us to acquire wisdom, knowledge, and a profound understanding of our faith.

Participating in church gatherings

Attending church services offers believers a communal space to worship, grow spiritually, and foster fellowship. These gatherings bring together individuals who share similar beliefs, providing an opportunity to partake in rituals, receive teachings from religious leaders, and engage in collective prayers and acts of worship.

Praise and Worship

Expressing reverence, adoration, and gratitude towards the Lord is at the heart of this pillar. It can be manifested through singing hymns, reciting psalms, offering prayers of praise, or participating in ceremonial acts of devotion. Praise and worship cultivate a spirit of humility, awe, and thanksgiving within believers as they recognize the greatness and goodness of the higher power.

Performing acts of kindness

This pillar encompasses acts of compassion, charity, and kindness towards others. It involves actively living out our faith by demonstrating love, generosity, forgiveness, and service to humanity. By engaging in acts of goodness, we embody the moral and ethical teachings of our faith, positively impacting the lives of others and fulfilling our responsibility to contribute to the well-being of society.

Doubt and unbelief: The enemies of Faith

"Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" - Mark 9:24

Image: Md Mahdi | Unsplash

In Christianity, doubt and unbelief are often seen as adversaries of the Christian faith because they challenge the foundations of trust and faith in God.

While occasional doubts and questions are natural and can lead to deeper understanding and growth, persistent doubt and unbelief can hinder spiritual development.

One biblical example illustrating the consequences of doubt and unbelief is the story of the Israelites in the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land.

After witnessing numerous miraculous acts of God's power and provision, such as the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna from heaven, the Israelites still struggled with doubt and unbelief.

Because of their doubt and unbelief, God declared that the Israelites would not enter the Promised Land but would wander in the wilderness for 40 years until that generation passed away (Numbers 14:20-35).

Only Joshua and Caleb, the two spies who brought a positive and faith-filled report, were allowed to enter the land.

This story demonstrates how doubt and unbelief can hinder the fulfillment of God's promises and lead to negative consequences.

It emphasizes the importance of trust, faith, and obedience in the Christian journey, encouraging believers to anchor their Faith in God's character and promises rather than succumbing to doubt and unbelief.

Pursuing Faith: Our primary aim in life

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God." - Anne Frank

Image: Marcos Paulo Prado | Unsplash

Jesus frequently reprimanded his disciples for their wavering faith. One incident, recounted in Matthew 8, involved Jesus calming a raging storm while his disciples, gripped by fear, cowered aboard a boat.

Disappointed by their lack of trust, Jesus confronted them, saying, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26).

Another occasion occurred when the disciples could not cast evil spirits from a boy. Jesus stepped in to heal him instead (Luke 9:40-42).

Despite their initial shortcomings, the disciples eventually embraced the mission entrusted to them by Jesus. They fearlessly proclaimed the arrival of His kingdom and performed remarkable acts of healing, along with awe-inspiring signs and wonders.

Through perseverance and growth, they transcended their earlier struggles, fully embodying the teachings and example of their beloved teacher, Jesus.

Like the apostles, we also struggle with faith.

But, pursuing the Christian faith holds immense power to shape and transform every facet of our lives.

It is a profound journey, seeking truth, meaning, and purpose as we align our hearts, minds, and actions with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.

This pursuit extends beyond religion; it encompasses a transformative way of life that brings deep fulfillment, joy, and peace.

We are called to a life of love, compassion, and service in pursuing the Christian faith.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to forgive others as we have been forgiven, and to aid the marginalized and oppressed.

This pursuit challenges us to break free from self-centeredness and actively seek the well-being of others. True fulfillment arises from selflessly pouring ourselves out for the sake of others, not from accumulating wealth, power, or fame.

By making pursuing the Christian faith our primary aim, we embark on a journey of immense significance and depth. It challenges us to grow, love, and serve beyond our limited human nature. Fully knowing God means genuinely knowing what is Faith.

This pursuit offers hope, purpose, and lasting fulfillment.

By aligning our lives with Jesus Christ's teachings, we participate in God's plan of redemption and become conduits of His love and grace in the world.

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