Faith: Easier to Detect Than Define
“What is light?” This is the kind of question young children may sometimes ask you, and it seems like the answer could be rattled off rather quickly. But as you open your mouth and begin to speak, your brow furrows, and you can’t quite find the words. You say to yourself, “Come on, you’re the adult here! You know what light is…it’s a fundamental reality to your existence every day. You’re sitting in a well-lit room right now! The kid is waiting for an answer…what is light?!”
You may have been similarly befuddled the last time you tried to explain faith to someone. Faith is something that we, as Christians, think about and reference often, but defining it is not as simple as expected.
We know we are saved by grace through faith, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 3:23–28). We also know that, inside salvation, we are called to live by faith (Galatians 2:20). But what does that mean practically?
First, it’s important to remember that saving faith, which also shows itself to be daily faith, has Jesus Christ as its object. Paul says, “The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20, emphasis mine). This is why Ian Hamilton writes, “Faith is ‘essentially extraspective’. Faith’s first glance is to Christ. But no less are faith’s continuing glances focused on Christ too.”¹
Second, it’s important to remember that to live by faith is not to live by sight (2 Corinthians 5:6–7). As we daily look to Christ in faith, we make decisions based on realities in Scripture that we cannot perceive with our senses. As Richard D. Phillips says, “By faith we live as if things were other than they appear, because of what God has said.”²
These unseen realities fit into a variety of categories. We believe God’s promises, which He fulfills for us in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). We believe God’s commands, which we obey as His children in Christ (1 Peter 1:14–16). We believe God’s attributes, which He expresses to us in Christ (Psalm 103:8–14). We believe what God says is good and right, which sets our priorities in Christ (Romans 12:1–2). Certainly, the list goes on, but the point is that living by faith in Christ means utilizing more than a handful of verses as we make God-glorifying decisions throughout the day. All of God’s Word is for us in Christ, so that we have a wellspring of truth to embrace for the panoply of situations we encounter throughout life.
This is highly practical when we consider what it looks like to live by faith and not by sight. Ian Hamilton explains: “It means to trust, no matter what, the word and promises of God, and to act accordingly.”³ That last part is crucial to grasp— “and to act accordingly.” As we look to Christ in faith, we believe the unseen realities of God’s Word, and that faith shows itself in making choices that seem strange to those who live their lives by sight. This we do, regardless of what our feelings say, because faith lets truth lead and feelings follow.
With this in mind, consider these examples, and notice how in each of them there is a denial of fleshly desire toward an action that is based on scriptural truth.
Faith and Suffering
2 Corinthians 4:17 – For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.
In light of this text, faith in Christ says, “In my pain, I want to despair and withdraw from God, but I know He says He is using this trial to give me a more glorious future, so I choose to take heart and thank Him for His goodness.”
Faith and Fear
Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
In light of this text, faith in Christ says, “I want to avoid those people at church because I’m afraid of what they might think about me, but I know God says that is spiritually dangerous, so I will choose to speak to them in love and let God be my protector.”
Faith and Lust
Psalm 16:4, 11 – The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply…You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
In light of this text, faith in Christ says, “I want to visit that website, but I know God says that will only lead to increased sorrow, so I choose to seek exceeding pleasure in God as I take a walk in the park, praising Him for His awesome power and creativity.”
Faith and Anger
1 Corinthians 13:4–5 – Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.
In light of this text, faith in Christ says, “I want to respond to my wife’s assumptions with a mean-spirited retort, but I know that God says love is not irritable or resentful, so I will choose to be patient and kind as I explain the details.”
Faith and Pride
Romans 15:2–3 – Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
In light of this text, faith in Christ says, “I want to ghost that guy’s call because I’m pretty sure he needs help moving, but I know Jesus wasn’t pleasing Himself when He died for me, so I choose to take the call and follow my Savior’s steps.”
Faith and Church
1 Corinthians 12:7 – To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
In light of this text, faith in Christ says, “I want to sleep in and just watch the church livestream, but I know God says that the Spirit has given me gifts to use in serving the body of Christ, so I’m going to get to the service early to see how I can help.”
Thinking back to light, you would probably agree that it’s easier to detect than to define. We can point to light quicker than we can explain it. So it is with faith. These examples remind us that faith is active and practical in the Christian life. It’s not some theoretical concept fit only for academic roundtable discussions. Faith in Christ is detected when we choose to act on the unseen realities of God’s Word.
¹The Faith-Shaped Life by Ian Hamilton, pp. 15-16.
²Faith Victorious by Richard D. Phillips, p. 5.
³The Faith-Shaped Life by Ian Hamilton, p. 12.