What Does It Mean To Live By Faith?

What does it mean to live by faith?

In Galatians 2:20 it says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

In order to understand what it means to live by faith, we first need to understand the exact nature of faith.

What is Faith?

Faith is having unwavering trust in God and His promises. Faith isn’t about us, but about God’s character. It’s about believing and trusting God will do what He says He will do, even when we can’t see how it will happen. In Hebrews we’re told what faith is: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

When we’re living by faith it means that we trust Him enough to follow His lead, regardless of the circumstances. It’s not about us trying to figure everything out, but about surrendering our lives to God and trusting that He knows what’s best for us.

Many people believe that God exists but that’s not faith. In James we learn that even the demons believe in God: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (James 2:19).

If we want to experience the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10, we have to have faith and believe in God’s power and goodness. When we have faith in God, we trust He is real, that He loves us, and that He is working out everything in our lives for our good and His glory.

Why Is Living by Faith So Important?

In Hebrews 11 we’re told that “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). If we want to have a living, vital, true relationship with God, we need to have faith.

But why is living by faith so important? There are a few reasons:

1. Because faith shows that we trust God

When you live by faith, you are saying that you believe God is real AND that He is good. You trust He loves you and has a plan for your life. You trust He will provide you with everything you need in life, including the ability to make wise decisions.

Living by faith means you don’t live in fear. It means you aren’t ruled by what-ifs, doubts, and worries. You know God will never leave you or forsake you, and that He will care for you even when you make mistakes. As it says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

2. Living by faith is a way of honoring God

God deserves our faith. He is the creator of the universe and everything in it. He knows what’s best for us, even when we don’t. When we have faith in Him, we are acknowledging His sovereignty and power. We are humbling ourselves before Him and saying that we trust Him to lead us and provide for us.

3. Faith pleases God

As we saw in Hebrews 11:6, faith is essential to please God. When we live by faith, we are living in a way that is pleasing to Him. This doesn’t mean that we will never make mistakes or have difficult times. But it does mean that we are trusting God even when things are tough. We know He is good and that He has a plan for our lives, even when we can’t see what that plan is.

4. Faith leads to obedience

When we have faith in God, it naturally leads to obedience. If we truly believe God is who He says He is, then we will want to obey Him. We will want to follow His commands because we know that He knows what’s best for us. Faith and obedience go hand-in-hand. As it says in James 2:17, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

5. Faith leads to blessings

When we live by faith, we can be confident that God will bless us. He has promised to bless those who obey Him (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). When we have faith in God, we can trust that He will keep His promises. We might not always see the blessings right away, but we can be confident that they are coming.

7 Ways To Live by Faith Every Day

If we want to live by faith, there are several key things we must do

1. Pray

Prayer is one of the most important parts of living by faith. When we pray, we are acknowledging God’s power and sovereignty. We are asking Him for help and guidance. We are surrendering our lives to Him.

2. Read the Bible

Another key way to live by faith is to read the Bible. The Bible is God’s Word, and it is full of His promises. When we read the Bible, we are reminded of who God is and what He has done for us. We are reminded of His power, His love, and His faithfulness.

The Bible tells us that God has given us great and precious promises. In Corinthians we are told that all of these promises are “yes and amen” in Christ. This means that we can trust that God will keep His promises. We can have faith in Him because He is faithful.

3. Obey God

One of the most important ways to live by faith is to obey God. When we have faith in God, it will lead us to obedience. We will want to follow His commands because we know that He knows what’s best for us.

When we fail to obey God we are saying that we don’t believe His ways are the best thing for us.

4. Trust God

Another important way to live by faith is to trust God. This means that we believe that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. We trust that He has a plan for our lives and that He will work all things for our good.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” In other words, we can trust that God is good and that He has a plan for our lives, even when we can’t see what that plan is.

5. Seek God

When we seek God, we are looking to Him for guidance and direction. We are asking Him to show us the way we should go. We are searching for His will for our lives. Scripture says in Psalm 34:10, “Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

When we seek God, we can be confident that He will meet our needs. We can trust that He will guide us and give us wisdom.

6. Live a life of thankfulness

One of the most important ways to live by faith is to live a life of thankfulness. This means that we are thankful for all the good things God has done for us. We are thankful for His love, His grace, and His mercy. We are thankful for His provision, His protection, and His guidance.

When we live a life of thankfulness, it shows that we trust God. It shows that we believe He is good and that He will continue to bless us.

7. Have faith in God

It may sound simple, but ultimately, the key to living by faith is to have faith in God. This means that we believe that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. We put our trust in Him, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.

In the Bible we read about a man named Abraham. Abraham is considered the father of faith because he had such great faith in God. He believed God’s promises even when it seemed impossible. And because of his faith, he was able to do great things for God. In Hebrews 11:8 we read, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

Abraham is a great example of what it means to live by faith. He had faith in God even when he didn’t know what the future held. He obeyed God even when it was difficult. And because of his faith, he was able to do great things for God.

Always Walk By Faith

When we have faith in God, it changes the way we live. We are no longer living for ourselves but for Him. We are no longer controlled by our circumstances but by His promises. We can have hope in the midst of trials and challenges because we know that God is with us and He will never leave us or forsake us.