Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. ROMANS 4:1-5 NLT
God wants me to have faith
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. HEBREWS 11:6 NIV
The atheist on earth demands that God prove himself to be real. The God of heaven demands that you have faith that he is real.
What is faith?
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. HEBREWS 11:1 & 11:3 NIV
In Greek, the word Faith is pistis (Πίστις) and can be translated as…
Jesus said… “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. JOHN 14:1 NLT
Why would God want you to trust him? All real relationships are based on trust.
If we are faithless, he remains faithful- for he cannot deny himself. 2 TIMOTHY 2:13 ESV
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” ROMANS 4:3 ESV
God wants me to know my faith is real
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. JAMES 2:19 NLT
How do I learn if my faith is real?
God proves our faith through…
– Testing: What happens to me
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son. HEBREWS 11:17 NIV
What is a test?
1. A way of discovering, by questions or practical activities, what someone knows.
We don’t like to give tests because it exposes children to failure in a subject, and because of this we have destined an entire generation to be failures in life.
2. A medical examination of part of your body in order to find out how healthy it is or what is happening with it. 23 and me-
3. An act of using something to find out if it is working correctly or how effective it is.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 PETER 4:12 NIV
– Works: What God is doing through me
How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” JAMES 2:20-23 NLT
Faith is opposed to earning, but not effort.
Faith is like love. If you truly love someone, you show it through your actions.
God is willing to help me with my faith
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” MARK 9:23-24 NIV
My Notes
Personal Reflection Guide
Set aside some time to have a conversation with God. Allow yourself to become calm and undistracted. When you are ready, ask God to guide the time. Think about the truth that without faith you can’t please God. What feelings surface as you think about this? Ask God, “What do these feelings mean? Where have I failed to trust you in the last few days? What did I rely on instead of you?” Ask his forgiveness for your unbelief, and for him to increase your faith. Recall an incident when you sensed you trusted God in a deep way. What helped you to have faith in this situation? Faith in him is very important to God. It wasn’t Abraham’s good deeds that made him righteous to God, but it was his faith. Pray he will impress upon you one action you can take this week that he will use to increase your faith. Take this action and thank him for what he is going to do.
Discussion Questions
- What have you been learning about yourself, God or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?
- If one of your friends asked you what it means to have faith, what would you tell them and why?
- Read Hebrews 11:1-3. How does your definition of faith agree with God’s definition in this passage? How is it different and why do you think that is?
- Read Hebrews 11:17. Abraham was tested by God to see if his faith was real. What significant life events or struggles have you experienced in your life that have tested your faith and proved it to be real?
- Read James 2:20-23. When you look at your life, what actions are you doing right now that give you confidence your faith is real?
- Read Mark 9:23-24. What is one specific area of your faith where you still struggle with unbelief? What can we do to help?
