Expressions of Faith

A 19 lesson series of the various expressions of faith.

14 – Faith is strengthened by prayer

By / Expressions of Faith / 3 minutes of reading

Prayer is an essential expression of belief in God and a means of strengthening personal faith. When doubts, fears, and needs are brought to God in prayer, He helps us overcome doubts and grow in trust of Him. Prayer accompanied by God’s Word increases the believer’s understanding of the Lord’s existing provisions. Plus, prayer gives confidence that He will supply our immediate and future needs according to His gracious will.

Prayer needs to be honest, where we acknowledge that our greatest needs are most often the needs of our hearts. While external and physical needs are real, and often require immediate attention, they may appear to be worse than what they are, because of our heart’s weaknesses.

It’s common during the dark, or pressured times of life, that we doubt or feel week in faith. The father of the demon possessed boy in Mark 9:24, expressed his heart openly when he confessed to Jesus,  “I believe; help my unbelief!” You see, the father had genuine belief that Jesus had power over demons and that Jesus could deliver his son even though the disciples could not. However, within the father’s exhaustion and questioning desperation, he had unbelief mixed with his belief. On this occasion, Jesus released the son of the demons and also delivered the father of his unbelief.

Now that Jesus is in heaven, it is through prayer, the truths of God’s Word, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit that the Lord strengthens unbelief and builds up our faith. Prayer confirms God’s faithfulness through His answers. 1 John 5:14-15 highlights this, “This is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” Experiencing answered prayers builds confidence in God, and it causes thanks and praise, plus it strengthens our  faith. Prayer provides peace and reduces anxiety which also heightens our faith. The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Prayer helps believers cast their worries on God, receiving His peace, which reinforces faith by calming fears and uncertainties.

Prayer encourages perseverance and hope, which are expressions of faith. Paul also wrote in Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”  Persistent prayer sustains believers through trials, nurturing hope in God and daily endurance that strengthens faith over time. Prayer deepens trust in God’s Sovereignty, as faith leans in dependence upon Him. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Through prayer, believers acknowledge God’s control over all circumstances, which builds trust and reliance on His sovereign will and power rather than their own understanding.

James 4:8 explains that as we “Draw near to God, He will draw near to you.”  Our growing awareness of God’s presence develops our closeness and personal relationship with the Almighty which strengthens faith further. Prayer invites God’s guidance and wisdom which James 1:5 speaks of. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Prayer opens the door for divine wisdom and direction, reinforcing faith by trusting God’s guidance in decision-making.

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13 – Faith sees beyond the here and now

By / Expressions of Faith / 3 minutes of reading

Faith enables Christians to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on unseen realities rather than temporary earthly circumstances only. This heavenly perspective enables believers to trust God’s promises for the future while living in present hope of knowing that God will provide.

The biblical view of life, which reaches into eternity and has heaven as its destination, transforms  believers understanding by expanding our vision to include God’s full picture of eternal life.

Faith looks for more than the place called heaven, faith looks for Jesus Christ. Paul emphasises this when writing to Titus by reminding him that we are waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ… (Titus 2:13). Christians live in a physical world, with real struggles and circumstances, yet faith always has its attention partly looking for Jesus to return.

Paul’s encouragement to Titus reveals the importance of having a correct understanding of who Jesus is and allowing the greatness of Jesus to guide our thoughts and desires. Yes, Jesus is our great God and Saviour. And yes, Jesus is glorious! But Jesus should always be thought of as near to us. He is near through His indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). He is near through the living and abiding word of God, the Bible (1 Peter 1:23). And He is near to us through faith inspired hope of His return to catch up His bride, the church.

When Jesus returns it will be a glorious appearing. His appearing will not be silent, and it will not be invisible. Jesus’ divine glory shall light up the skies with the brilliance of His heavenly splendour as He catapults through a portal from heaven to earth’s atmosphere. Satellite cameras around the earth will view and record our creator re-entering the clouds to snatch up His beloved church.

By faith we believe Jesus’ promise of John 14:3, if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. Christians believe this, and faith causes us to look past the present physical life we endure to His great return. The apostle Paul excitedly reminds us of this in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Notice that it shall be Christ alone who descends, no horse, no angels, no heavenly  hosts, just the glorified Lord Jesus Christ in this loud and unmistakable event.

Therefore, we Christians fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). In this way we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). At present, while we live in fleshly bodies on this earth, we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Knowing that His time on earth was short, Jesus taught His disciples, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29). Faith enables us to experience the spiritual presence of Jesus Christ now while intentionally looking to our future with Him. Faith creates the real expectation of Jesus soon return. Faith builds internal security of eternal life in an eternal home with our eternal Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience (Romans 8:24-25). 

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12 – Faith is active love with service

By / Expressions of Faith / 3 minutes of reading

When God-given faith is active in a believer, love and service to others will also be active. The apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 1:14, that the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This faith and love was not only to be an intellectual agreement with biblical statements about faith and love, but it was to be a living faith that actively works through love to serve others on behalf of Jesus Christ.

As we have learnt in previous lessons, faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour brings transformation of our hearts and actions by the Holy Spirit. And it is the Holy Spirit who leads us to care for others as an expression of faith working through love (Galatians 5:6).

Faith gives birth to love, and it is love that motivates us to serve others selflessly. Jesus is our greatest  example as Mark 10:45 tells us, for even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus, being Lord, did not hesitate to humble Himself to serve by doing even the most slave-like tasks. We see this on the night before His crucifixion, when He should have been receiving full support from His disciples, instead Jesus serves by washing the feet of these 12 men, including the feet of betraying Judas Iscariot (Jonn 13:2). Jesus immediately explains the application of what He had just done. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you (John 13:14-15).

Loving service is a wonderful expression of God’s grace. Although we have read it many times, James’ reminder is good for us in this matter, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17). James said this just after challenging his readers that if a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? (James 2:15-16). Our faith must be experienced by others, and practical loving service that meets the needs of others is the vehicle that delivers our faith. This practical expression of love will often open the heart for the recipient to receive God’s Word.

Similarly, the apostle Peter picks up this principle in 1 Peter 4, when instructing believers about using their spiritual gifts for the Lord and others. 1 Peter 4:10 reads, as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Then Peter adds, whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:11).

God is glorified in our lives when faith in Jesus Christ is displayed through doing works of grace to others with the determination and selfless strength that God provides. As each believer has received a gift for this purpose from the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-7), believers should accept responsibility to know what their gift is and to look for people to use their gift with. We see this principle operating in 1 Thessalonians 1:3, where Paul rejoiced over the believers in Thessalonica. Remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is here that spiritual truths become real world expressions of Jesus Christ for people to experience.

May this be true in all of our lives, as we live Christ together for His pleasure and His glory. Amen.

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11 – Faith leads to righteousness

By / Expressions of Faith / 3 minutes of reading

Romans 1:17, For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith” (cf. Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:11).

The righteousness imputed to a believer at salvation will never lead them to further sin (Rom 3:21-22). One of faith’s goals is to produce righteous living which correctly expresses the nature of holy God through Christlike character. In Ephesians 5:1-4, Paul stretches this out by writing, therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

In Romans 1:17, Paul emphasises the permanence of faith in a genuine Christian. Faith in Jesus Christ  is not a onetime act, but an ongoing way of life. The believer, who is made righteous in Christ, will live their faith in all aspects of life, for their entire life. Theologians sometimes call this “the perseverance of the saints” (cf. Col 1:22-23; Heb 3:14).

But notice Paul’s unique wording here, “from faith for faith.” Paul is explaining the result of the gospel which produced salvation from verse 16, the gospel… is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (faith). This is further seen in Romans 4:5, the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness (cf. Php 3:9). When a person believes the gospel, God’s righteousness is revealed, or another way of saying this, is that God’s righteousness is manifested, made visible in their living. This gospel manufactured righteousness came from their faith in the gospel, and it produces even more ongoing faith. Authentic faith strengthens itself and produces even more mature and more determined faith within the believer.

There is no such thing as God generated faith, which is gifted to the believer (Eph 2:8), that does not continue to believe. God gifted faith always operates for the long haul, so that deeper faith is developed over time, NOT lessened. This is why James wrote,  faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17). Genuine faith will always produce righteous works. Faith never produces sinful, worldly, or morally compromised living. Faith produces righteousness!

Understanding this provides people with a good measuring tool for evaluating if their salvation is real. It is healthy for people who call themselves “Christian” to be able to test themselves with God’s Word. Paul emphasises this in Philippians 1:10-11, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Amen.

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10 – Faith endures trials with hope

By / Expressions of Faith / 3 minutes of reading

James 1:3, For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Trials and difficulties test our faith by allowing us to experience our true beliefs. This testing is for our benefit, not God’s, as God already knows how we will respond, but we don’t. Therefore, trials create the opportunity for our deepest beliefs, and our strongest passions to come to the surface and be revealed for all to see. It is trials that allow us to see if what lives in our hearts is genuinely of God, or, if it is of our flesh. Only then, can we honestly evaluate our faith. Only through trials, are we able to see if faith in Jesus Christ has truly won victory over our fleshly heart desires.

When trials have shown us the true condition of our faith, then the Lord is able to strengthen us, and we will understand why. This is why James says that we are to count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds (James 1:2). Every Christian should rejoice when our Lord allows us to accurately see what lives within our own hearts. James further explains this by saying that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. Steadfastness is “joyful endurance.”

You see, faith is not about avoiding problems but trusting God through the problems. This is what it means to hope in God. Each challenge is an opportunity to deepen our dependence upon God and for us to grow our expectation for God to grow joyful endurance within us.

When the apostle Paul declared that we are justified, declared innocent, with God being at peace with us, he continued to explain our Christian hope. Romans 5:2 gives the explanation, through him (Jesus) we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Believers in Jesus Christ can experience and radiate the glory of God, which is the multilayered goodness of Holy God. This is the believer’s hope, to express God’s glory on earth, knowing that when we are in His heavenly presence, we will continue to display God’s glory for all eternity.

This is how Yahweh revealed Himself to Moses in Exodus 33:18-19. Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of Yahweh before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show compassion on whom I will show compassion” (LSB).

Faith fills believers with hope that during our short time on earth, we shall experience and declare God’s glory, especially by joyfully enduring through times of trial. This enduring expression of faith puts God’s goodness on display and fills the believer with joy for having this gracious privilege. But it needs to be emphasised that the joy of this heavenly privilege is experienced through faith in Jesus Christ, as Paul explained in Romans 5:2.

Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing (faith), so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Amen

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