Just recently I preached on the genuine faith that was declared to be in Timothy by Paul’s testimony (2 Timothy 1:5). Still thinking about what genuine faith would look like in the life of a true Christian, I thought I would share a little more on the topic. So, let me start by saying authentic faith is the confident assurance in events not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is not a call to believe in things when common sense tells you not to. Faith is not a mindless stab in the dark. It is not a crossing of the fingers and hoping for the best. It is not a leap into nothingness. It’s a word that speaks of reasoned, careful, deliberate, intentional thought. But thought on what? On God and his promises.
If you are absolutely gripped by the coming realities that have been promised to you by God, then how you live your life in the present will be radically different than if you did not possess that certainty. This is what faith is, positive certainty expressed in action. Authentic faith is not merely believing in God. It is believing God!
Taking God at his word, living in obedience to his revelation whatever the cost because you know down deep in your bones that God will always do what he says, that His speaking is His doing. It is an abiding assurance in God and his promises that drives you to persevere in your obedience to Him. Do you want to be a more consistent, obedient, persevering Christian? Would you like to be a stronger Christian? A more courageous and outspoken Christian? Then you need to strengthen your faith!
Your faith strengthens in direct proportion to the expansion of the object of your faith! If you expand your understanding of the object of your faith and faith itself will obediently follow. If the object of your faith if you are a Christian) is Jesus Christ and all of his promises, then your faith in Him will grow. Is your faith weak? It is because you don’t know the object of your faith well enough. When you understanding of who Jesus is, and what His word promises has application in your faith, you will become increasingly stronger. But how does that happen? By immersing yourself in the faith-arousing Word of God. The same powerful Word that long ago brought the universe to life is the same Word that can bring you to life and furnish you with a faith that is truly and authentically amazing.