How Faith is Described

In the Bible, faith is described in several ways.  How would you describe your faith?

Boundless - Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.  But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."

Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?"

She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is come into the world" (John 11:22-27).

Common - "Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior (Titus 1:4).

Great & Humble - When Jesus heard it, He marveled and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel" (Matthew 8:10).  Jesus was commending the faith of a Roman Centurion because it was the kind of faith which pleased the Father and Him.  When Jesus offered to go to his house to heal his servant, the Centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it” (verses 5-9). The man had the kind of faith Jesus would have liked His people, Israel to have.  This Roman (a Gentile) showed great faith and humility.  No wonder Jesus marveled. 

Holy - "But you, beloved, building yourselves upon your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20).

Little - But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea.  And there was a great calm (Matthew 8:26).  The more faith the better, especially during rough times.  How is it possible to have any faith during those times?  We look up and not around. And we try to remember that Jesus is much bigger than our problems.

Mutual - "...that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me" (Romans 1:12).  Sometimes the faith of us can encourage and fortify us.

Perfect - "Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?" (James 2:22).  James was talking about Abraham.  In verse 21, he asked this rhetorical question, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?"  Abraham acted in faith.  Faith is not passive.  

Precious - Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained (received) like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1).

Rootless - "But the ones on the rock and those who when they hear, receive the Word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away" (Luke 8:13).

Small - So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20). Jesus said this to His disciples when they were unable to cast a demon out of a boy.  A little faith goes a long way. 

Unfeigned - "Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5).

United - When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you" (Mark 2:5).

Vain - "And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain" (1 Corinthians 15:14).

"And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!" (verse 17).

Venturing - And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water" (Matthew 14:28).

So He said, "Come."  And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus (verse 29).