What does faith mean to you? We can say that we have faith in many things. We may say that we have faith in our friends, the company we work for, science, or even the local government.
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines faith like this: allegiance to duty or a person; loyalty
But, that kind of faith is different from the kind of faith that the Bible most often talks about. The word most often used for faith in the Bible is the Greek word Pistis whose root is peithō which means to persuade; to have confidence.
Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
The kind of faith that the Bible is talking about is the kind of faith that gets you through that scary medical diagnosis. It is the kind of faith that even when your whole world is falling apart you know that God has a plan and in the end, will lift you up. It is the hope of Heaven and knowing with confidence that we can trust God!
Here is my favorite definition of faith:
Faith: Absolute confidence in the integrity of God.
- Kenneth Beckman
Isn't that really what having faith is all about? Knowing with confidence that God is good and just and He will do as He says? We believe that Christ died, rose again, and will someday return to bring us to our true home, and by that faith, we are justified.
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2
Go, in faith brothers and sisters! And understand that whatever trials you are going through on this earth, that it is only temporary; know with confidence that God is good and will fulfill His promises! Have Faith!