Faith

TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW
* Faith - In the biblical term, faith means to believe and trust completely in God.
* Grace - The free gift of forgiveness offered to us by God through Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins.
* Saved - A term used to describe someone who has been forgiven for his sins. He/she is "saved" from God's judgment.

WHY IS FAITH IMPORTANT?

Ephesians 2:8 tells us that we are saved by the grace of God. "Faith" is required to receive this grace. In the verse below we learn that grace is given to us through "faith".

Romans 5:2 "We have gained access BY FAITH into this grace in which we now stand."

In other words, God send us His grace through "faith" the same way I use the internet to send you this newsletter. The Internet acts as a road in which this bible study can travel into your computers. "Faith" acts as a road in which grace can travel into your heart.

HOW CAN I HAVE FAITH?

Romans 10:17 "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Paul is saying that by hearing the Word of God you will build your faith. When you read your Bible you will discover the truth about the human condition: We are all sinners. And that sin separates us from God. You acknowledge that you can't save yourself and you trust in God to save you - that's faith -- and that acknowledgement paves the road in which God sends His grace to you.

That grace takes form in this: Because God so loved the world He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place, to be judged in our place. And if we have faith in what Jesus did, if we trust in His death on the cross as payment for our sin, then we will receive grace - forgiveness for all our sins!