A Working Definition of Faith

Have you ever had difficulty understanding what it means to “have faith”? I remember asking my Sunday School teacher what the word “faith” meant. He read Heb. 11:1, but at the time, it just didn’t make sense to me. I find that many adults wrestle with what it means to “have faith” and certainly all of us have difficulty continuously living by faith.

Years ago, I came across a very practical definition from Dr. Ron Alchin at the Biblical Counseling Center, Arlington Heights., IL. As I meditated on this and studied through the principles, I began to share this with others. Over the course of time, I’ve added several nuances that helped me gain understanding and motivation to practically apply the truths of this definition. Dr. Alchin has graciously given me permission to do what I wanted to with his initial ideas so, I offer you the following definition of faith. You may recognize some of the phrases, as James MacDonald quotes the original definition often in his radio broadcasts.

Hopefully this will encourage you towards faithful obedience as you respond to your daily trials and trust in the character and promises of God.

Faith is believing God’s Word (Heb. 11:1; Romans 10:17; Ps 18:2; Ps 25:2; Ps. 26:1; Ps. 31:1; Ps 32:10; Ps 146:3; Isa 50:10;1 Peter 1:17-21)

And acting on it (Ja. 1:22-25; Ps. 19:11a; John 13:17; Genesis 6:22; Exodus 40:16; Psalm 19:11; 119:1-5; Matthew 7:24-25; 12:50; John 15:14; Gal. 5:6)

Out of a heart of worship (Matt. 4:10; 2 Kings 17:36; Psalm 29:2; Ps. 99:5; Rev. 14:7)

For the Glory of God; (1 Cor. 10:31; John 15:8; Isaiah 24:15; Romans 4:20; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Philippians 1:11; 2:13,15-16; 2 Thessalonians 1:12; 1 Peter 1:7; 4:11; 14-16)

No matter what I think, (Isaiah 55:8-9; Deuteronomy 29:29; Psalm. 25:10; 40:5; 92:5; Ezekiel 18:29; Luke 5:4-6; Romans 11:33) 

Or how I feel, (1 Corinthians 9:27; Heb 11; Daniel 6:9-28; 2Samuel 12:7; Esther; Neh. 4:9; 1 Cor 6:12; 8:13; 9:25; 2 Cor 6:4-10), 

Knowing that God promises a good result, (Psalm 19:11; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 8:28-29; Habakkuk 2:4) 

In His own time. (Isaiah 54:7; Psalm 30:5; Eccl. 3:11)

The life lived in faith is the life that pleases God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him – Hebrews 11:6 

(see also 1 Thess. 4:1 Rom. 8:8; Rom. 12:1-2; Col. 1:10; Heb. 13:16; 1 Jn. 3:22; 1 Pet. 2:20; 1 Cor. 5:9-10)

Pastor Kent