Living by faith is vital for every Christian. As a believer, you must trust in God completely and rely on Him to guide you every day.
Living by faith can be challenging at times, but the Bible provides us with encouragement, wisdom, and instructions to help us walk closely with the Lord through every season of life.
In this guide, I’ll explore what it truly means to live by faith in Jesus Christ and how it leads to peace, victory, freedom, joy, and eternal life.
What Does it Mean to Live by Faith?
To “live by faith” essentially means to trust in the promises of God and to rely on His Word, even when you don’t see the full picture.
The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV),
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
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As Christians, we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins and rose again after three days (Romans 10:9-10 NIV).
We cannot see Him with our physical eyes, but we believe what Scripture teaches about Him.
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) defines faith:
“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
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In other words, those who live by faith take God at His Word and follow Him one step at a time.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
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Of course, this does not mean discarding reason or wisdom. It means submitting your human understanding to the truths in Scripture.
Why is Living by Faith Important?
Living by faith honors God and aligns your life with His will.
The Bible makes it clear that “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV).
James 2:17 (NIV) notes that faith without action is dead.
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
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- True, living faith manifests itself through obedience to Christ. Faith is not merely an intellectual exercise; it is a surrender of your life to the rule and reign of Jesus, who gave Himself for us.
- Living by faith brings freedom from sin and fear. When you try to control your life or earn salvation through good works, you become enslaved to external pressures and human efforts that always fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
- When you trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, you receive His grace and walk in freedom (Galatians 5:1 NIV). You no longer have to strive for salvation but you rest in Him.
- Living by faith also enables you to live in joy and peace, rather than anxiety. In John 14:27 (NIV) Jesus says,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
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As you walk with Christ daily, through prayer and studying the Scriptures, He will fill you with supernatural peace and comfort.
You can choose faith over fear, knowing that He is in control of your life.
What Does the Bible Teach About Living by Faith?
Throughout Scripture, God commended individuals who exercised radical faith in Him (Hebrews 11).
For example,
- Abraham obeyed God by leaving his homeland to travel to an unknown Promised Land (Hebrews 11:8).
- Moses chose to suffer with God’s people rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Hebrews 11:25).
Time after time, those who relied on God saw Him accomplish the impossible in their lives.
The Bible gives several key instructions about living by faith:
- Believe in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our sins: John 3:16 (NIV) declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
- Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross so we could be made right before God by faith alone. This is the bedrock of the Christian faith.
- Abide in Christ through prayer and studying the Bible: Jesus said in John 15:5 (NIV), “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Staying connected to Christ is essential for living by faith.
- Walk in the Spirit, not the flesh: Paul urges in Galatians 5:16 (NIV), “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Dependence on the Holy Spirit will enable you to overcome sinful desires.
- Let Christ live through you: Paul declared in Galatians 2:20 (NIV), “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Surrender yourself to Jesus every day.
- Set your mind on things above, not earthly things: Colossians 3:2 (NIV) commands, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Don’t become consumed by worldly concerns, but seek God’s kingdom first.
- Walk by faith even when you cannot see the whole picture: 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) promises, “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
Move forward in obedience to God even when you don’t understand everything.
- Ask God to increase your faith: Just as the apostles did in Luke 17:5 (NIV), you can cry out to God, “Increase my faith!” Express your dependence on Him to help you trust Him more.
No matter what circumstances you face in life, these biblical principles will enable you to live by faith in the promises of God.
He will give you the strength to overcome every challenge.
6 Key Benefits of Living by Faith
Living by faith comes with many rewards both in this life and the next. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Peace and joy: By keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus, you receive divine joy and peace that surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7). Choose faith over fear and experience deep contentment.
2. Victory over sin: Sin no longer has power over you as you live to please Christ (Romans 6:11-14). As you walk in the Spirit, you’ll experience victory over sinful addictions and desires.
3. Eternal life: Most importantly, living by faith secures eternal life. Those who trust in Jesus have the confident hope of heaven and will dwell forever in God’s presence (1 John 5:13).
4. Intimate fellowship with God: Living by faith leads to a rich fellowship with God. You’ll experience His presence daily through prayer, Scripture reading, and fellowship with other believers. You can boldly approach His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).
5. Confidence and boldness: Faith banishes fear and anxiety, giving you the boldness to follow Jesus, share your testimony, and pray for others. You will not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16).
6. Stability in trials: Everyone experiences trials, but faith anchors your soul so that you have the strength and stability to persevere (1 Peter 1:6-7). You’ll trust God’s purpose and walk in hope.
Living by faith enables you to receive these powerful benefits that come from walking with Jesus Christ every day.
He is our source of joy and peace in every season of life.
7 Key Bible Verses About Living By Faith
Many passages of Scripture equip us to live by faith and find satisfaction in God alone.
Here are some of the key Bible verses about living by faith to meditate on:
- “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 NIV) – Christ now lives in and through you as you surrender to Him daily.
- “For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.” (Galatians 5:5 NIV) – It is by faith that you eagerly wait for eternal life with expectant hope.
- “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV) – Faith gives us confidence in God’s promises for the future.
- “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV) – Pleasing God must start with believing He exists and rewards faithful obedience.
- “For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV) – Trust God’s Word as your guide, not your limited human vision.
- “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” (Hebrews 10:38 NIV) – Those who live by faith persevere through every hardship.
- “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. (Mark 11:22 NIV) – Jesus said that we can speak to difficult situations (mountains) and command them to go when we put our faith in God.
Whatever you face today, cling to these promises. God will give you the faith to trust Him one step at a time and to receive His peace and steadfast love.
How to Grow in Living by Faith Each Day
Living by faith is a daily journey of walking closely with Christ through every up and down in life.
Here are 9 practical tips for growing in faith daily:
- Start each morning with prayer and Bible reading. Ask God to increase your faith and open your spiritual eyes. Read at least one chapter of the Bible every day to equip you for the day.
- Make Jesus your sole focus. Throughout the day, keep bringing your thoughts back to Christ. Pray continually about everything.
- Obey even when you don’t understand. If God calls you to act in faith, obey without delay. Walk through open doors and trust Him to direct your path.
- Believe in God’s promises over your feelings. You may not always feel close to God but believe that His promises in Scripture are true. Depend on them.
- Fellowship regularly with other believers. Attend church each week, join a small Bible study group, and develop friendships with other Christians. This will fuel your faith.
- Give thanks in all circumstances. Even in trials, look for things to thank God for. Gratitude will strengthen your faith and keep you focused on Jesus.
- Take bold risks for God. Don’t play it safe out of fear. Pray bold prayers that require divine intervention then step out in courage.
- Don’t depend on your strength. Rely fully on the Holy Spirit to help you overcome sin and walk uprightly. You can’t do it alone.
- Keep your eyes on eternity. Don’t lose heart; your struggles are momentary. Heaven awaits all who walk by faith in Christ.
If you fall into doubt or unbelief, confess it quickly to God. Repent and ask Him to increase your faith and give you abundant grace for the journey.
God has promised to complete His good work in you as you look to Him.
Key Takeaways On Living By Faith
Living by faith means trusting completely in who God is and His promises found in Scripture every day.
Key takeaways include:
- Faith means believing and acting on the truth about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our sins. It goes beyond intellectual belief.
- Living by faith allows us to experience freedom from sin, divine peace, stability in trials, and intimate fellowship with Christ.
- Scripture gives us many instructions and examples about walking by faith, not by sight. Leaning on God’s strength enables us to live righteously.
- Growing in faith requires cultivating daily spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, memorizing Scripture, giving thanks, and obedience.
- God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. He has promised to complete the good work He began in you.
- Walking by faith means obeying Christ even when you don’t see the whole picture. You can trust Him completely.
Conclusion
I pray that this guide will inspire you to place your confidence completely in Christ every day.
As you do, He will empower you to live by faith and walk closely with Him all the days of your life.
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Living By Faith
Many Christians have questions about what it looks like to live by faith each day. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Q. Is living by faith opposed to logic and reason?
A: Faith is a confident trust in God. The Bible says to love God with all our minds (Luke 10:27).
Q: How do I live by faith when life gets difficult and painful?
A: Focus on God’s presence, promises, and eternal perspective. Cling to Him in prayer and Scripture.
Believe His grace is sufficient for you. Ask fellow Christians to support you in prayer.
Q: If I have faith, why do prayers sometimes go unanswered?
A: God answers every prayer, but sometimes the answer is “no” or “wait”. Trust His timing and wisdom. His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Keep praying in faith.
Q: How can my faith grow stronger?
A: Soak yourself in Scripture, pray continually, fellowship with other believers, give thanks always, and take bold steps of obedience to Christ.
Rely completely on the Holy Spirit. Your faith will grow!
Q: Why is faith without action dead, like James says?
A: Genuine faith produces fruit such as righteous conduct, obedience to Christ, and good works. Living faith is active, not passive. It displays itself through how you live.
Q: How can I be sure my faith is sincere, and not counterfeit?
A: Examine the fruit in your life. Are you growing in Christlikeness? Is your faith producing good deeds and obedience done out of love for God? This demonstrates true faith in God.
Q: Some days I don’t feel close to God at all. Does this mean I don’t have faith?
A: Our feelings fluctuate, but faith stands on the objective truth of Christ. On days you feel distant from God, continue in prayer, worship, give thanks, and believe He is near, regardless of your emotions.
