At the beginning of every year, our minister chooses a “theme” for the congregation’s focus for the year. This year he chose “Faith Full.” The idea is for us to increase our faith.

This week in one of our classes, we were discussing what strengthens our faith. There were many different answers: Bible study, the way two of our ladies have dealt with cancer, prayer, relationships with other Christians, and the list goes on. All of these strengthen our faith, but it takes a lot of things to gives us the kind of faith we need to sustain us.

Before we can be “faith full”, we have to know what faith is. The dictionary says that faith is “complete trust or confidence in someone or something, strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof, a system of religious beliefs: the Christian faith, a strongly held belief or theory.”

Notice the words used to describe faith: complete trust, confidence in, strong belief, strongly held belief. All of these words tell us that faith is for those who are loyal and willing to rely totally on something or someone.

The Bible describes it best for us in Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (ESV). This verse begins a chapter of examples of faith going back to the time of Abel in the book of Genesis.

In verse 6 of this chapter the writer says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Without “complete trust, confidence in, and strongly held belief”, those examples will mean nothing to us today.

The writer of Hebrews speaks of the beginning of a nation of people, God’s people. “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing’” (Genesis 12:1-2). Abraham received just what God promised because God always keeps His promises. Abraham couldn’t see into the future, but he had faith in what God said; and God delivered.

Hebrews 11 takes us through some of those descendants and how God delivered the people of Israel over and over again. There are references to Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, several of the judges, King David, and some of the prophets. Every description is preceded by, “By faith” or “Through faith.” We can see that faith played a significant part in the lives of God’s people.

So, how do we get this faith? Is it some sort of miraculous action? Romans 10:17 gives us the answer to these questions. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

This complete trust, confidence in, strong belief, can be obtained by simply hearing, reading and studying the Word of God. It provides us with all the commands, examples, promises, and fulfillments of promises we need to fill ourselves with faith.

One of the most comforting statements to me about faith is found in I Timothy 1. Paul is speaking to the young preacher, Timothy, and giving him some instructions about dealing with those that would pervert the gospel. Then Paul references his own past with these words: “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (verses 12-14).

Paul had been the worst of sinners, persecuting Christians. He received God’s mercy and grace because he changed his life. He became one of those Christians. At the time of this writing, he was serving God by teaching, preaching, and training the young man Timothy, as well as Titus, to do what he was doing.

This is an example of faith building faith. His faith grew, and he shared that faith with others.

So, if want to be “faith full”, we need to read and study God’s Word, be obedient to the gospel, share the gospel with others, and live a life of faith all the days of our lives. If we do these things, we can say like Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (II Timothy 4:7-8).

Sandra Oliver