"One Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4:5)
Everyone has faith in something--faith in some religion, faith in one's self, faith in fate, faith in evolution, faith in mankind. Even the atheist has faith in his own reason. But there is only one real faith that works for time and eternity. True faith is faith in the one true God--the God who made us, who will judge us, and who has paid the price to save us.
This faith is an understanding faith, for it is "through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God" (Hebrews 11:3). It is a saving faith, "for by grace are ye saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). Since "the just shall live by faith" (Galatians 3:11), it is therefore a living faith, and a growing faith, "because that your faith groweth exceedingly" (2 Thessalonians 1:3), and a working faith because "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20).
There is more. The true faith is a justifying faith (it makes us righteous in the sight of God) because "being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). It is a protecting faith because with "the shield of faith . . . ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16). It is a stable faith, "for by faith ye stand" (2 Corinthians 1:24). This faith is also a purifying faith, "purifying their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:9). Furthermore, asking faith receives answers to its prayers, "in faith, nothing wavering" (James 1:6), and a strong faith recoiling "not at the promise of God through unbelief; but . . . strong in faith, giving glory to God" (Romans 4:20).
Finally, the Christian faith is a triumphant faith. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4). This faith--even our faith!--is an understanding, saving, living, growing, justifying, purifying, working, protecting, stable, asking, strong, triumphant faith! HMM
