What we believe influences the attitude we convey, how we act, and what we do. You may be thinking, “does what I believe actually make good sense and is it really truthful?” Do my beliefs adequately equip me to properly deal with the situations and difficulties I face most every day?
What we understand about God and His way with us is important. We all tend to imitate and replicate what we believe to be right or wrong.
You may be surprised to learn that the Scriptural definition of faith is noticeably different from belief. Is this difference important? How are faith and belief different?
The Definition of Belief
Annual surveys across America seek to measure where people are regarding their beliefs. The results consistently report that between 80-85% of the population identify as Christian, while only 30-35% regularly attend religious services. Clearly, most people in the country believe in God and recognize Jesus Christ is God’s illustration of the way we are to live. This is fundamental Christianity.
The 50% that do not attend religious services are believers; they just question its teachings or actions. Many read the Bible and believe what they understand it to say. We believe God knows what is best, He does what He says, and He will accomplish what He intends. This is a simple definition of belief.
What we believe is a major motivator in this life. Motivational speakers amplify how what we believe affects outcomes. Are we confident or skeptical? Do we doubt or believe? What we strongly feel and believe quite often tends to happen and helps to form our future.
Too often we are taught that we cannot really know or understand God. There are generally two Biblical references used that appear to verify this idea.
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God…How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (a) [See end notes for all Scriptures] “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways…For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (b)
These verses are taken out of context to indicate that God is beyond our ability to understand. However, there are at least 45 different passages that say we can know God; we can teach about God, walk in and keep His ways. We can even experience aspects of an eternal quality of life. (c)
Jesus gave us clarity regarding the issue when he said; “Ask…seek…knock…For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (d) Are we seeking?
We can experience aspects of an eternal quality of life.
Faith In Action
Biblical faith is more than a belief; it is an ability to be responsive to God’s guidance. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (e) Faith originates with God and is given to us as a gift to assist our saving processes.
When we turn to God, the gift of faith that we receive enables us to sense, hear, perceive, and respond to His insightful guidance. Faith involves two actions on our part:
- First, we sense God is speaking and providing insight regarding our specific situation.
- Second, we respond and begin to act in agreement with God’s insightful guidance.
Faith is the action of us receiving from God, having “ears to hear,” and our appropriate response. (f) A helpful example is when Peter heard Jesus say, “Come, walk on the sea.” (g) This was a word for Peter in that moment. There is no hint that Peter did it again because he believed he could.
Another example is found in God’s 
direction to Abraham about offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice. God spoke to Abraham and as challenging as it was, in faith he proceeded to do as instructed. (h) While Abraham was obediently following God’s word of instruction, God spoke a fresh word of direction that negated His previous instruction and made it no longer appropriate. (i)
Both of these examples illustrate that faith involves our hearing from God and following the insight He shares. Biblical faith is a matter of personally hearing from God and responding to His guidance.
A belief in what God spoke in those times is not an instruction for us to slay our son or to walk on water. We believe in miracles and supernatural healing because God is able. However, is God saying such to us in our day or for our situation? When God speaks, our agreeing response is faith in action.
Biblical faith is a matter of personally hearing from God and responding to His guidance.
Activating Faith
Faith is activated when we hear God say or amplify a word to us and our reaction agrees with what we sense He is saying. Are we hearing and in faith walking in what God desires to accomplish?
The New Testament gives a simple definition of faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for (Hebrew eipizo – expected), the conviction of things not (yet) seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” (j) This chapter in Hebrews goes on to identify many of history’s heroes of faith.
The Bible teaches us that the ways of God are the processes that He uses to help us experience the better life that He offers us in this world. Yes, processes! (k)
When God speaks to us, many times something begins to happen. While there can be an immediate effect, most of the time it just begins a process of implementing the full intention. Healing is not always complete in a moment but begins a process of recovery that involves our cooperation.
It is like understanding, which is rarely complete with the first insight. Time is generally needed to contemplate, accept, and adjust our response, so that what has begun can become more complete.
Yes, there are miraculous events, but they are generally beginnings. In this natural life, what begins goes through a process of becoming so. This includes our salvation, forgiveness, and transformation.
- When God speaks or moves, we begin to accept the insights and healing miracles.
- As we receive insightful motivation, we begin to work through the various details.
- Sometimes we must dismiss previous perceptions, change conditions, and our actions.
- We progressively transform into clearer understanding and improving experiences.
The Old Testament example of salvation illustrates this ongoing process. Israel’s deliverance from slavery was just a beginning. Salvation included the process of transforming their understanding and attitude about life so they could triumphantly enter the improved situation and live better lives.
We need to hear what God is saying and in faith move in agreement. Faith involves us personally sensing God’s direction, our receptive acceptance, and our responsive action. Today, let us accept God’s word to us and in faith walk in God’s cleansing forgiveness.
We need to hear what God is saying and in faith move in agreement.
a) Romans 11;33; b) Isaiah 55:8-9; c) John 17;3; d) Matthew 7:7-8; e) Hebrews 11:1; f) Matthew 13:43; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8; Revelation 2:7; 13:9-10; g) Matthew 14:22-29; h) Genesis 22:2-6; i) Genesis 22:9-12; j) Hebrews 11:1-2; k) see the book, The Christ Culture
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder
Created To Relate author