Real Biblical faith, as we find it in the New Testament, is not just some spiritual emoting. Nor is it simple belief void of facts or passion. It simply is based on the real evidence as it is presented by God. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). It is a simple position of conclusion based on real evidence.
Genuine faith does not just happen. It happens as a person examines the facts laid out in scripture. “So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). True faith is born and grows as we learn and believe those Biblical truths and we live a newly conformed life in those same teachings.
In order to have a genuine faith, one must be a serious student of the Word. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15). While being a Biblical Scholar is not necessary, we NEED to understand the basic message of the Word of God. The greater our understanding of that Word becomes, the more effective we become as a messenger of that Gospel. The greater our effectiveness in presenting the actual Gospel found in the New Testament, the stronger our faith will become.
We acknowledge this basic principle. We see it as our diets provide needed nutrition to our physical health and strength. So, we focus our attention on foods that will provide for those needs.
Parents should focus on the specialized knowledge and training our children need which is critical to their spiritual development. It is our goal to train them toward being spiritually and Biblically functional as adults. We must concentrate on what it takes to see them prepared in the times to come in their life. We need to continue our training spiritually. We need to continue to learn from the Word of God. We need to dine at God’s buffet to grow strong in His wisdom. The more we learn the stronger we become. The Psalmist wrote, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105).
Having a strong faith is the key to our salvation and ultimately our eternal life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith,” (Ephesians 2:8). One of the rewards of strong faith is the peaceful mind which is aware of its own salvation.
“…having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:1). Always remember that a genuine faith is an obedient faith. “Thus, also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17).
Real Faith will always be tied to the teachings of God’s Word. In order to have a confident and functional faith we must believe and diligently live by the message which we have been given through scripture.