What Kind of Faith Do You Have Right Now?

Do you know what sets apart courage (bravery), confidence (confidence), and faith (faith)?

When a small child falls into a deep swimming pool, a trained swimmer will immediately jump into the water without hesitation and rescue the child. That is what is called confidence.

When you are the only person near that child, and for a moment forget that you cannot swim or that you once nearly drowned, and spontaneously jump into the water to save the child: that is courage.

Then, what about faith?

Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the evidence of what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1

Faith is different from either confidence or courage. For faith is confidence and hope in God, even when the evidence is absent and cannot be seen. Even so, a person who has faith will surely have confidence and courage to do the right thing that God desires.

A person of faith always moves the heart of God. So then, what kind of faith does God want from us as Christians? 

Great Faith

When Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who followed Him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” – Matthew 8:10 

A Roman centurion came to Jesus to ask for His help in healing his servant who was gravely ill. However, he kept Jesus from coming to his house because he believed Jesus was able to heal his servant through His word, without seeing or touching him. This centurion believed that distance did not hinder the power of Jesus.

As someone who claims to believe in Jesus, is your faith in facing life's struggles as great as that Roman centurion's faith? Or do you want God to prove His power first, and only then will you believe in Him? When this happens, you have actually lost faith. You are not convinced that you will receive God's promises in the Bible. That is why you become anxious, panic, and question God's presence. 

If this is what you are experiencing, pray that your faith will be strengthened. Read verses or stories of Bible figures that will strengthen you and give you new hope. Ask for prayer from fellow believers. Do not despair and get trapped in worry, but take hold of your confidence in God once again.

Renewed Faith

Rahab was a prostitute who lived in Jericho. Someone whose standing was not regarded in society. Yet that day, when she helped the two Israelite spies who entered her land (Joshua 2), Rahab made a decision. She believed it was the right time to leave her old life behind and build a new life, with a new faith.

“… that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death.” – Joshua 2:13

Knowing that Jericho would fall into the hands of Israel, Rahab asked the two spies to guarantee the safety of her family and relatives. She was not selfish, wanting to save only herself. After the spies left, Rahab tied a scarlet cord in her window as they had instructed her—a sign that she and her family would be spared on the day the walls of Jericho were brought down (Joshua 2:18).

While the people of Israel prepared to attack the city of Jericho, Rahab looked at the scarlet cord tied in her window. Every time she was seized by doubt, the scarlet cord reminded her of the salvation that had been promised to her and her household. 

When your faith is weak, what things can remind you of God's faithful love? Do you renew your faith every time you doubt? If not, learn to remember and give thanks for God's presence in your life all this time. Pray, read the Word, and ask for support from your brothers and sisters in faith. 

True Faith

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, built a golden statue 60 cubits high (about 27 m) and 6 cubits wide (about 2.7 m). After dedicating it, he ordered everyone to bow down and worship the statue. Whoever refused would be thrown into the blazing furnace (Daniel 3:1-6).

However, three Jewish officials in the kingdom, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, did not obey his command, so they were sent into the furnace.

Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar: “We have no need to answer you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, then He will deliver us from the blazing furnace and from your hand, O king; but even if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and will not worship the golden statue you have set up.” – Daniel 3:16 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego showed true faith. For that, they were willing to suffer and die in the fire. Even if their faith had seemed to go unanswered, they would not have regretted their decision. In the end, all three came out of the furnace without the slightest injury, and Nebuchadnezzar gave them high positions in the government.

What kind of faith do you have right now? Is it the kind of faith that,  “If … / if God …, then I will believe.” Or, “I believe because ….”

Let us become followers of Christ like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who believed and placed their full hope in God.

Faith That Accepts Help

A father brought his son who had often been possessed since childhood. The evil spirit threw his body to the ground, making him convulse with foam at the mouth and gnash his teeth. Jesus' disciples had tried to cast out the spirit, but failed (Mark 9:17-18).

When Jesus stepped in, the spirit once again shook the boy's body violently. The boy's father said:

“And often it has thrown him both into fire and into water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” – Mark 9:22

Hearing his words, Jesus rebuked him:

“If You can? All things are possible for the one who believes!” – Mark 9:23

And, the father's response was: 

Immediately the boy's father cried out: "I believe. Help my unbelief!" – Mark 9:24 

The boy's father honestly admitted that he had no faith and pleaded for Jesus to help him. Jesus honored his confession and healed his son.

When was the last time you admitted that you had lost faith, and asked for help so that you could believe again? Have you lost hope in your life? Do you feel like a failure, unable to change, no longer even believing in God? Seek help at once, so that you can once again experience the power of faith that heals you!

But without faith it is impossible to please God. For whoever comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. – Hebrews 11:6

Faith makes us pleasing before God. Without faith, no one can come to Him. What kind of faith do you have right now? Do you want to have great faith, true faith, renewed faith, or faith that accepts help? God values your faith, no matter how small it may be. Come, live with full confidence in Him!

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