A fundamental duty for all people and the necessary response to God's self-revelation. The only channel through which God's blessings may be received, and the only means by which life may be made meaningful, in relationship with God.
The call to faith
In the OT
Psalm 37:3–5 See also Proverbs 3:5–6; Isaiah 26:4, Isaiah 50:10
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.
In the NT
John 6:28–29 See also Mark 1:15; Acts 16:30–31, Acts 19:4, Acts 20:21; Romans 1:5; 1 John 3:23
Then they inquired, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”
God's self-revelation leaves no excuse for unbelief
John 14:8–11; Romans 10:17–18 See also Psalm 19:4; John 1:10–12; Romans 1:18–21, Romans 3:1–4; Psalm 51:4; Romans 16:25–27
Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me — or at least believe on account of the works themselves.
Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
The need for faith in God
The LORD is the only true God
Habakkuk 2:18–20 See also Psalm 115:2–11
What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it — or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.” But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.
God alone can be trusted absolutely
Psalm 9:10 See also Psalm 91:1–4; Isaiah 12:2; Nahum 1:7
Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Faith in God is the basis for peace
Isaiah 26:3 See also Psalm 42:11; John 14:1; Romans 15:13; 2 Peter 1:1–2
You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.
Faith is necessary to receive God's blessing
Hebrews 11:6 See also Psalm 40:4; Jeremiah 17:7–8; John 5:24
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Faith is necessary to avoid God's judgment
John 3:36 See also John 3:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Peter 2:6–8; Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 8:14
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
Actions not springing from faith are sinful
Romans 14:23 See also Romans 14:5–8, Romans 14:14
But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin.
Unbelief challenged
Hebrews 3:12–18; Psalm 95:7–8 comparison with the Israelites in the wilderness; Isaiah 7:9 Ahaz, king of Judah; Jeremiah 17:5–6 the people of Judah; Mark 16:14 Jesus Christ's disciples after the resurrection
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.