"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." {Hebrews 11:1} Faith is a vital part of the Christian's life. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." {Hebrews 11:6} We must be willing to take God at His word, without reservation concerning His promises to us. From the beginning, God expected His followers to have faith. Faith is required of the one who obeys the gospel. "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." {John 8:24} But, we must maintain and refine this faith as we live our lives for Christ. No sin is more devastating than unbelief. "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God." {Hebrews 3:13} This attitude closes the door of usefulness to our Lord. "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." {John 3:18} Sometimes, our faith is the only thing we have to hold on to in times of adversity and trials.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." {2 Corinthians 5:7} Faith comes to all men through rational means. There must be evidence to substantiate faith -- God never expected anyone to take the proverbial leap in the dark. "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." {John 20:30,31} Everything in our Christian lives rests upon our faith. In what way is faith stronger than sight? Faith has a more extended view."While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." {2 Corinthians 4:18} Faith is more truthful than sight. "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days." {Hebrews 11:30} Faith is more powerful than sight. "And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." {Hebrews 11:39,40}

In his letter to the Ephesian church, Paul wrote that there is only ONE faith (Ephesians 4:5). Yet, the Bible shows the existence of differing degrees of faith. Great faith -- "When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"{Matthew 8:10} Strong faith -- "He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God." {Romans 4:20} Little faith -- "And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" {Matthew 14:31} Dead faith -- "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." {James 2:17}

What happens when faith is obedient? Salvation -- "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." {Romans 13:11} Justification -- "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." {Romans 5:1} Spiritual fellowship -- "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." {1 John 1:7} Victory -- "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith." {1 John 5:4}

We need to continually increase our faith. "And the apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith." {Luke 17:5} Why does the Christian need to increase his faith? If we fail to increase faith, we soon find that it decreases (Matthew 25:29). If our faith does not increase, we will fail to do great things for the Lord Philippians 4:13. Satan will continually set in our way obstacles to detract us from serving God. Our faith can help us overcome all he does to destroy our souls (1 Peter 4:12). If faith is to grow, it must be fed (Romans 10:17). We must exercise our faith, or it will be of little value (1Timothy 4:12,13). The strength or weakness of my faith determines my ability to remain committed to Him. How strong is your faith?