by Preacher Thomas Fung

Romans 1:17

In today’s Christian community, there is often a misunderstanding about “faith.” Many believe that being “justified by faith” requires only verbal confession and inward belief to attain salvation. This isolated, static, and abstract view of faith disconnects from real life, falling into Satan’s deception and leading one to the danger of destruction.

From the biblical perspective, “faith” is a continuous process, meaning it is not a one-time declaration but a continual belief and steadfastness. True faith begins with knowing God and is reinforced, strengthened, and advanced through continual pursuit, ultimately leading to a complete state of belief.

1. Differentiation of Faith

The Bible categorises faith in various ways: unbelief (Matthew 14:31), great faith (Luke 7:9), dead faith and living faith (James 2:20), and effective faith (Galatians 5:6). However, even if we have faith, we may still waver, as it is written: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

The Scripture illustrates many different levels of faith. For instance:

• The disciples prayed to the Lord but did not truly believe in His power (Acts 12:5, 15).
• Abraham’s lack of complete faith led him to marry Hagar, attempting to fulfil God’s promise through human means (Genesis 16:1-2).
• He also lied twice, relying on human efforts for protection (Genesis 12:13; 20:2).

Yet, Abraham’s faith was ultimately perfected when he offered Isaac (Romans 4:17).

2. The Evidence of Faith

Hebrews 11 lists many evidences of faith, especially how the ancients were commended for their faith (Hebrews 11:39-40). These individuals, referred to as “these people,” are faith exemplars from the Old Testament, from Abel to the time before Jesus. They passed away in faith and were commended by God for it.

Being “commended for their faith” means they received God’s approval and affirmation through their faithful acts. For instance:

• Abel offered a better sacrifice to God by faith.
• Enoch walked with God for 300 years and was taken up to heaven.
• Noah was declared righteous in his generation because of his faith.

These examples demonstrate how their faith gained God’s affirmation, becoming a “good testimony.”

This further emphasises that believing in God and believing His words complement each other. As Paul declared in Acts: “... I believe God that it will be just as it was told me” (Acts 27:25).

3. Manifestation of Faith

True faith is inevitably manifested in action. Examples include:

• By faith, Abraham obeyed and left his homeland for Canaan, as God directed (Hebrews 11:8).
• Noah, by faith, built the ark according to God’s instructions, saving his family (Hebrews 11:7).
• Moses, by faith, renounced the fleeting pleasures of Egypt and chose to suffer with God’s people (Hebrews 11:24-26).

The ultimate goal of faith is not to fulfil personal desires but to accomplish God’s will. As demonstrated by Jesus in His prayer at Gethsemane: “Not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39, 42). While we trust in God’s promises, we must recognise that these promises are fulfilled only through obedience to His will (Genesis 18:19).

Conclusion

After being reborn through water and the Holy Spirit, believers must continuously pursue growth in faith under the guidance of truth and the Holy Spirit, submitting to and following God’s will. Only in this way can we complete the journey of salvation and become children pleasing to God.

As the Lord taught:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

May we continually grow in the training of our faith until it is perfected.