QUESTION 6

Am I a faithful Christian?

The New Testament is written in the Greek language, and the word translated “faith” is pistis (noun form) and pisteuo (verb form). In scripture, the term faith is concerned with the content of belief, but it is also connected with action. In scripture, faith is more than just intellectual assent, saying we believe in God. It is belief plus action.

One powerful passage about faith is found in Hebrews 11, where the actions of faithful people in scripture are found. Each statement begins this way, “By faith…,” and then lists an action of a faithful person. By faith, Noah built an ark as God instructed him. By faith, Abraham left his family’s home and followed God to a new land. By faith, Sarah believed God could give her a child in her advanced age. These are all concrete ways people showed their faith by how they lived.

We can look around us and see numerous religious groups, many of which have different standards for what counts as faithful Christian living. The only standard that should really matter to us is the one set by God in scripture. Here are some passages of scripture that show people of God living out their faith:

2 Corinthians 5:6-9 – So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

Hebrews 10:23-25 – Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 John 1:5-9 - This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

It is clear from reading these passages that faithful Christian living requires hard work. Yet, is there anything that could be more rewarding?

You may have met a few people who said they were Christians but did not live like it. That can be discouraging, but it does not mean that God is not true to His Word. Romans 3:3-4 reminds us that even if everyone who lives is a liar, God will still be true.

If you are a Christian who has not been putting your faith into practice, why not find a congregation where you can serve and be encouraged by other Christians?