Faith
The biblical definition of faith requires intellectual assent to the facts and trust in the facts.
The Bible contains a clear definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Simply put, the biblical definition of faith is “trusting in something you cannot explicitly prove.” This definition of faith contains two aspects:
intellectual assent
trust
Intellectual assent is believing something to be true. Trust is actually relying on the fact that the something is true. A chair is often used to help illustrate this. Intellectual assent is recognizing that a chair is a chair and agreeing that it is designed to support a person who sits on it. Trust is actually sitting in the chair.
Understanding these two aspects of faith is crucial. Many people believe certain facts about Jesus Christ. Many people will intellectually agree with the facts the Bible declares about Jesus. But knowing those facts to be true is not what the Bible means by “faith.”
The biblical definition of faith requires intellectual assent to the facts and trust in the facts.
Believing that Jesus is God incarnate who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and was resurrected is not enough. Even the demons “believe” in God and acknowledge those facts.
James 2:19 NASBS
[19] You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
We must personally and fully rely on the death of Christ as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. We must “sit in the chair” of the salvation that Jesus Christ has provided. This is saving faith.
The faith God requires of us for salvation is belief in what the Bible says about who Jesus is and what He accomplished and fully trusting in Jesus for that salvation.
Acts 16:31 NASBS
[31] They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
Biblical faith is always accompanied by REPENTANCE:
Matthew 21:28-32 NASBS
[28] "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go work today in the vineyard.' [29] And he answered, 'I will not'; but afterward he regretted it and went. [30] The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, 'I will, sir'; but he did not go. [31] Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the kingdom of God before you. [32] For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him.
Mark 1:14-15 NASBS
[14] Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, [15] and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
The biblical definition of faith does not apply only to salvation. It is equally applicable to the rest of the Christian life. We are to believe what the Bible says, and we are to obey it.
We are to believe the promises of God, and we are to live accordingly. We are to agree with the truth of God’s Word, and we are to allow ourselves to be transformed by it.
Romans 12:2 NASBS
[2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Why is this definition of faith so important? Why must trust accompany agreeing with facts? Because “without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
Hebrews 11:6 NASBS
[6] And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Without faith, we cannot be saved.
John 3:16 NASBS
[16] "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Without faith, the Christian life cannot be what God intends it to be.
John 10:10 NASBS
[10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.