Faith does not exist within humans naturally, and it is not a self-generated attribute. Faith has a start line, then it develops as we grow in our knowledge of God through His written Word and as we experience God’s presence in our lives.
It is one thing to have a basic belief about the spiritual realm, or even that there is a Creator God, but this is NOT the saving faith Scripture speaks of. Faith spoken of in the Bible is a deep inner acceptance of God’s truth that He has revealed about Himself. Faith does NOT build on a person’s imagination of what God is like. Biblical faith does more than believe about God, it dependently believes in the one true God.
Faith is the grace gift of God that ensures the sinner possesses the necessary faith for salvation.
Ephesians 2:8, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
Romans 10:17, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 12:3, …each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Philippians 1:29, For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him… (This is faith).
1 Corinthians 1:30-31, And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.
It is God who gifts a person the faith which enables them to believe in Him. This is NOT a general belief, but a specific faith that personally leans into God desiring intimacy with God, seeking the closest relationship possible. This God-given faith leads to salvation through Jesus Christ, but we shall consider more of that in the next message.
Because God has told us that without faith it is impossible to please him… (Hebrews 11:6), He ensures the necessary faith is placed within a person to accomplish what He wants. God desires to experience pleasure from our relationship with Him. His pleasure equals His glory.
Philippians 2:13, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Hearing the gospel message, the stories of God’s faithfulness, and His promises builds our faith. This is why regular Bible reading and teaching are vital. The Word of God plants the seeds of faith in our hearts, and as we nurture those seeds, faith grows stronger and more resilient. Faith grows as the Word of God is read and put into practice.
Faith is not something we can manufacture on our own; it is a divine gift. Salvation itself is by grace through faith, meaning God initiates and enables our belief in Him. This humbles us and keeps us dependent on God rather than our own efforts. Recognizing faith as a gift helps us appreciate God’s grace and encourages us to nurture and manage this precious gift.
