For so many professing Christians, religion is often superficial. They lack of faith & the meaning of it. Many lack a basic knowledge of the teachings of the Bible or their denomination's beliefs. Far too many have come to believe that every aspect of life is simply a matter of personal choice, and nothing matters beyond their feelings. Instead of relying on Elohim, they trust only themselves to solve their problems. Then, because emotions are so subjective, people are left confused and grasping for anything that offers hope.
What is faith
Faith , a confident attitude toward Elohim. Faith motivates our minds to the assurance of Elohim's power and will to act in our lives. Faith becomes more than a mental conviction as it grows into a commitment, not only to trust Elohim to involve Himself in our lives, but to do His will. We can rest assured that Elohim's will does not include unproductive behavior—only "godliness [that] is profitable for all things."
Elohim's Word elaborates on living faith. It assures us that "the just shall live by faith" and "we walk by faith, not by sight" when we repent of our sins and begin to live dedicated, godly lives directed by our Savior (Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7). People who live by faith as followers of Messiah and members of Elohim's Church are "believers" in Him (Acts 5:14; 1 Timothy 4:12).
Faith is belief BUT we also must go beyond this, as James noted: "You believe that there is one Elohim. You do well. Even the demons [fallen angels] believe—and tremble!" (James 2:19). We must go beyond the level of the faith exhibited by demons.
"Now faith is the substance [realization, confident assurance, solid ground] of things hoped for, the evidence [conviction, reality, proof] of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is our assurance of the existence of things we cannot see.
Faith is not wishful thinking, Faith is a deep conviction that Elohim deeply cares for us and will always act with our best interests at heart.
Each of us can have this kind of faith. In fact, we must have it if we wish to honor and love Elohim because "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Elohim must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (verse 6).
There are two aspects of faith. First we must believe Elohim exists. He is the one and only all-righteous, all-powerful Being—something we can comprehend through the magnificence of the physical creation we see around us (Romans 1:20). Then we must believe Elohim will ultimately reward those who humbly, obediently seek Him.
WHY SO MANY LACK FAITH
Many people don't have the faith described in the Bible because they do not believe or practice what Messiah said: "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Most people can't even name the Ten Commandments. Some assume Messiah lived the Commandments for us so we wouldn't have to. Others believe what we do doesn't matter that much as long as we have feelings of love toward everyone.
Faith, which includes understanding and action, is required for salvation.
Having faith means understanding that Elohim is great and by comparison we are small. This is a kind of humility that is a rare commodity in our modern, pride-filled world. To come to believe that Elohim is all powerful and that we desperately need His help is actually comforting.
Simply saying "I believe" without making accompanying life-altering changes is not sufficient. Acknowledging Elohim's existence does not magically produce a right relationship with Him. As already noted, Messiah commands us to repent (Mark 1:15).
Repentence requires effort and commitment. Living faith must be nurtured and spiritually fed and built. Messiah cautions us against the danger of false faith—faith that is immature and incomplete.
As a faithful elder in the Church and the half brother of Messiah, James wrote: "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:21-22, New International Version). He adds, ".. The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does" (verse 25, NIV).
True, living faith requires much more than words. It requires commitment and evidence of that commitment. James asks this rhetorical question: "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?" (James 2:14, NIV). He shows that mere words are useless when someone needs food and clothing (verses 15-17). James cited the example of faithful Abraham to show that "his faith was made complete by what he did" (verses 21-22, NIV).
Our faith lives when we respond obediently to the love of Messiah by keeping His commandments (John 14:12-15).
What is faith
Faith , a confident attitude toward Elohim. Faith motivates our minds to the assurance of Elohim's power and will to act in our lives. Faith becomes more than a mental conviction as it grows into a commitment, not only to trust Elohim to involve Himself in our lives, but to do His will. We can rest assured that Elohim's will does not include unproductive behavior—only "godliness [that] is profitable for all things."
Elohim's Word elaborates on living faith. It assures us that "the just shall live by faith" and "we walk by faith, not by sight" when we repent of our sins and begin to live dedicated, godly lives directed by our Savior (Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7). People who live by faith as followers of Messiah and members of Elohim's Church are "believers" in Him (Acts 5:14; 1 Timothy 4:12).
Faith is belief BUT we also must go beyond this, as James noted: "You believe that there is one Elohim. You do well. Even the demons [fallen angels] believe—and tremble!" (James 2:19). We must go beyond the level of the faith exhibited by demons.
"Now faith is the substance [realization, confident assurance, solid ground] of things hoped for, the evidence [conviction, reality, proof] of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is our assurance of the existence of things we cannot see.
Faith is not wishful thinking, Faith is a deep conviction that Elohim deeply cares for us and will always act with our best interests at heart.
Each of us can have this kind of faith. In fact, we must have it if we wish to honor and love Elohim because "without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Elohim must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (verse 6).
There are two aspects of faith. First we must believe Elohim exists. He is the one and only all-righteous, all-powerful Being—something we can comprehend through the magnificence of the physical creation we see around us (Romans 1:20). Then we must believe Elohim will ultimately reward those who humbly, obediently seek Him.
WHY SO MANY LACK FAITH
Many people don't have the faith described in the Bible because they do not believe or practice what Messiah said: "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Most people can't even name the Ten Commandments. Some assume Messiah lived the Commandments for us so we wouldn't have to. Others believe what we do doesn't matter that much as long as we have feelings of love toward everyone.
Faith, which includes understanding and action, is required for salvation.
Having faith means understanding that Elohim is great and by comparison we are small. This is a kind of humility that is a rare commodity in our modern, pride-filled world. To come to believe that Elohim is all powerful and that we desperately need His help is actually comforting.
Simply saying "I believe" without making accompanying life-altering changes is not sufficient. Acknowledging Elohim's existence does not magically produce a right relationship with Him. As already noted, Messiah commands us to repent (Mark 1:15).
Repentence requires effort and commitment. Living faith must be nurtured and spiritually fed and built. Messiah cautions us against the danger of false faith—faith that is immature and incomplete.
As a faithful elder in the Church and the half brother of Messiah, James wrote: "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:21-22, New International Version). He adds, ".. The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does" (verse 25, NIV).
True, living faith requires much more than words. It requires commitment and evidence of that commitment. James asks this rhetorical question: "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?" (James 2:14, NIV). He shows that mere words are useless when someone needs food and clothing (verses 15-17). James cited the example of faithful Abraham to show that "his faith was made complete by what he did" (verses 21-22, NIV).
Our faith lives when we respond obediently to the love of Messiah by keeping His commandments (John 14:12-15).