What Is Christian Faith?

What is Christian Faith? If faith is simply confidence or trust in a person or thing, then Christian faith is confidence and trust in God.

At one level, the answer to the question, “What is faith?” is a simple one. The Macquarie Dictionary says faith is “confidence or trust in a person or thing.” In the case of Christian faith, confidence and trust are placed in God, in the person and work of Christ, and in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We’ll explore just some of what the Bible has to say about those themes in a moment.

Christian Faith

The phrase “Christian faith” is sometimes used to describe the whole Christian religion in which we share; our doctrines (beliefs), practices, and system of churches and church communities.

But faith is also a very personal thing, referring, as our original definition suggested, to the level of confidence and trust we place in God.

The truth is that to a greater or lesser extent, we all have faith in something or someone. We put our faith in the medical system, in our governments, in the idea of democracy and even in our parents, spouses or friends. We place our confidence and trust in people, ideas and systems of belief all the time. Many of us have experienced times when these things we place our faith in eventually let us down.

Christian faith is different because God is different. God, we hear in the Bible, promises “I will never leave or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) and millions of Christians across the world have experienced that faithfulness of God. Let’s explore some more about this idea of Christian faith.

"Christian faith is different because God is different."

What is Faith in the Bible?

It’s no surprise to find that the Bible is filled with references to, examples of, and teaching about faith. After all, what would be the purpose of the scriptures if not to respond to the question “What is Faith?” Let’s take a look at a few aspects of the Christian faith that are emphasised in the Bible.

Heroes of Faith

The writer of the New Testament letter to the Hebrews offers what is a wonderful definition of faith: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

The letter goes on to list some of the heroes of the faith, and the things about their lives that characterise great faith (Hebrews 11).

Enoch’s faith pleases God, for example, as he believes God exists and earnestly seeks God. Sarah is recognised for her great trust in the promises of God. Others are lauded for their obedience to God, for being strong in the face of great challenges, for persisting, for blessing others, for their worship of God and for longing for a heavenly place. These are aspects of faith we can look to replicate in our own lives.

Purpose of Faith

The clearest articulation of the importance of Christian faith, and perhaps the best-known Bible reading of all comes from John 3:16:

“For God so loved that world that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

This verse comes in the midst of an encounter between Jesus and a religious leader Nicodemus in which Jesus is essentially asked, “Who are you, and what is this all about?” Jesus’ response reminds us that the very purpose of the Christian faith is to believe in the person and teachings of Christ, and the outcome of that belief is to be in eternal union with God, our sins forgiven. The purpose of our faith is to have a relationship with God that leads to salvation.

This emphasis on the Christian faith being connected with salvation, with the notion of eternal life is a vital Biblical theme. Eternal life with God is a gift freely given by God, and to receive this gift is an act of faith, rather than something that can be earned by doing good things. In Ephesians 2:8-9 we read “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God, not the result of works, so no one may boast.”

Our faith in God, in the person and work of Christ, accepts this freely given gift, knowing it cannot be earned by doing good things.

Outcome of Faith

Importantly the Bible also talks about the outcomes of having faith. Christians will, because of their faith, be driven to love their neighbours and make a difference in the world.

James in his letter speaks about this the challenging interrelation of faith and action: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-16).

The classic Christian belief is that we receive salvation by faith, not by works, but James reminds us that in receiving that gift of God we are driven to love our neighbours – because God first loved us. The Old Testament prophet Micah says that the full and proper response to God’s love is “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Our faith leads us to love our neighbours and work for a world that reflects God’s kingdom.

Faith and Prayer

The final aspect of faith in the Bible that we’ll highlight is the connection between faith and prayer. Jesus himself says “Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matthew 21:22) and suggests that if we have faith even as small as a mustard seed, we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).

Trusting God to respond to our prayers is an important aspect of faith. We’re invited to come to God in prayer, to offer ourselves in prayer, and to trust that God will respond to those prayers.

The Importance of Faith

Having faith in the person and the work of Christ to bring us salvation is vital when we talk about the importance of faith. So too is putting our trust and confidence in God and the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. Isaiah 41 reminds us that God promises to be with us, to strengthen and help and uphold us. Living a life that is steeped in prayer, having faith that God’s will for us is good and that God is ready to respond is at the heart of the Christian faith.

Christians experience God’s trustworthiness in countless ways, small and large, every day.

George Mueller was a German man who came to faith in God and eventually understood God was calling him to life as a missionary. His story is filled with examples of having faith in God to provide for his needs, for the needs of the local church that he led, and for the needs of the orphanages he helped found. In one story the orphanage has no food left for its 300 children and all George could do was to pray and trust God to respond. Within minutes, food and drink began to arrive at the orphanage. For Mueller, the importance of faith was measured in God’s provision.

We can pray to God and trust in God in the same way.

It’s important to remember though, that our faith in God’s promises to provide ought to be connected with what we need, rather than what we want. When we pray, when we work to put our trust and confidence in God, we should ask for what we think we need, but always ask that God’s will be done, trusting God indeed has our best interests at heart. Sometimes God’s answers to our earnest prayers are not what we anticipate!

How do I Grow my Faith?

God wants us to grow in our Christian faith. Jesus once encountered a man who asked for his son to be healed (the story is told in Mark 9). Jesus told the man that anything was possible if the man believed. The man’s answer and Jesus’ response tell us God wants us to grow in faith. “I do believe,” the man said, “help me overcome my unbelief.” What a humble but powerful statement of desire to believe, and to grow in faith! The story records that after this profession of faith, Jesus goes on to heal the man’s son.

Learn and Practise

Growing in faith is much like growing in any other discipline of life. Like getting better at music, sport, art or academic learning, we grow by learning about the discipline and then by practising what we have learned. We learn by reading or meeting with a teacher or coach, and then we put into practice the things we’ve learned.

At first, we’re not always that great at our new skill – playing the piano, or creative writing for example – but with practice and more learning we improve.

Growing our Christian faith is a little like this. We can read about faith in the Bible, or in books by wonderful Christian writers. We can listen to ministers or pastors preaching in worship, we can participate in Bible study groups or programs like Alpha, and we can meet with mentors or in small groups. And as we learn and practice, little by little, we will grow in our Christian faith and our ability to put our confidence and trust in God.

Experiencing God’s faithfulness in small things also helps us trust and have confidence in God in big things.

Connect in Community

The best place to grow in faith is in the context of a local Christian church community. Gathering regularly with others, participating in worship, study groups and prayer groups, and being inspired by the faith of those around us. All these things can help us grow our faith, especially if we bring the same attitude of the man in Mark 9: “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” If you’re not involved in a local church, let us help you find one near you.

Scott Guyatt is a writer, speaker, trainer, and facilitator who has served the church in Australia for more than two decades. Scott’s experience includes helping the church explore mission, discipleship and leadership practices in local communities across the country.

What Is Christian Faith?