Bible Question: how do you define faith? |
Bible Answer: Hello Mensa, If I may add to Tims comment. I would say that faith is defined by your actions. The book of James has much to say on this subject. Don't misunderstand me when I say this. I don't mean that deeds save you, or that you could do anything to earn your salvation, but your faith is reflected in the things you do. Remember that trust test we would do when we were kids? (It’s something I did). You would stand in front of someone and fall backwards into their arms as a test of your trust in them? True faith would fall backwards into their arms; showing you trust that person. How much more does our faith in God reflect in our actions? “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:14-26 If we claim do be Christians and we don’t live the life (see John 8:31-32) then we are only fooling ourselves. I think that this is Satans biggest deception of all. Leading people to think they are right with God because they belong to a “church” or “believe”. Christianity is a lifestyle, something that has to be lived out on a daily basis. I believe that is true faith. I hope this is helpful, Kin |