Things about faith

CEBU, Philippines - Faith is what saves. Among the many Bible verses that attest to this, Ephesians 2:8 clearly states, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”. Children first and foremost need to learn that faith in God is the only thing that results in salvation of souls.

Faith can grow. Since the Bible clearly establishes faith as the requirement for salvation, it is natural to think of it as something that a person either has or has not. While that is true for saving faith, many verses make it clear that the faith of (saved) Christians can and should continue to grow (example: Romans 4:20, 2 Corinthians 10:15, Philippians 1:25, 1 Thessalonians 3:10, Romans 14:1). Children need to understand that growing faith is a life-time process that starts with saving faith.

Faith can fail. In Luke 22:31-34, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial. In verse 32 Jesus says, “…but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” People’s faith can fail due to their circumstances. When facing such circumstances, children need to know they can pray for their faith to remain firm.

Faith is a gift. Romans 12:3 and 1 Corinthians 12:9 tells that faith is a spiritual gift from God and therefore it varies among persons.  Some people think that something is wrong with their faith because it’s been more of a struggle for them to believe than for many other Christians they know.  Children should understand that faith does vary among believers and that comparisons are fruitless. What matters is one’s personal faith growth.

Faith can move mountains.  Jesus says in Matthew 17:20 and 21:22 that if one does not doubt, his faith can move mountains; note Jesus didn’t say that “medium” faith will move hills! Children need to understand that the power of prayer lies in full conviction.

Faith means to trust. The book of Matthew quotes Jesus saying “O you of little faith” on five occasions. On all but one of those occasions, He was addressing the disciples regarding their fear or worry (6:30, 8:26, 14:31, and 16:8). If little faith results in worry, that implies great faith results in trust. When children are worried or scared, we should help them pray specifically for God to grow their faith; faith that results in trust is the remedy for fear.

Faith is protective. There are two New Testament verses that use faith as a metaphor for spiritually protective armor (the “shield of faith” in Ephesians 6:16 and the “breastplate of faith” in 1 Thessalonians 5:8). Children need to be aware of the need for spiritual protection in their daily lives, and that faith is the basis for that protection.

Faith results in action. Hebrews chapter 11 recalls many of the most faithful people of the Old Testament. Each verse starts with the pattern, “By faith (person) (did something)”.  It wasn’t enough for the author to point out that each of these people had faith; the focus was on what that faith produced. Children need to understand that authentic faith results in action.

Faith is believing before you experience.  In almost every instance where Jesus acknowledged someone for having great faith, it was in the context of believing in Him prior to experiencing healing (example: see Matthew 8 for the “greatest” faith of the Centurion). Children need to know that faith doesn’t require waiting for signs or experiences that lead to the “conviction of things not seen”; Jesus acknowledged great faith as first believing in Him.

Faith is a decision everyone makes. Even if a person does not have faith in God, he or she must have faith in another “unproven” alternative about the afterlife (even if it is that nothing exists). Children need to realize that faith is a decision everyone makes – not just the Christians.

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