What is faith?

Some of us may be quick to say that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" [Hebrews 11:1]. Scripturally, that would be correct. However think about that question in the context of your life experience and your walk with Christ. I therefore ask again - what is faith?

As one who has agonised over this question, I have searched the scriptures, hungrily seeking a set menu on the subject I could devour. I have heard hundreds of messages and sermons preached, as well as read many books and articles all proclaiming the same theme assuring me that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word [Romans 10:17 KJV]. However, quoting that scripture and experiencing results are two different things. Therein lies the frustration for many of us because the Bible makes clear that without faith it is impossible to please God [Hebrews 11:6]. Think about that. If we need faith to receive anything from God, and despite our best efforts we seem to come up short in this department, then we have a crisis.

This book was birthed along my daily commute by train when, armed with an enquiring mind, and a smartphone, I began to write. I considered faith from its most pragmatic roots and compiled my thoughts into meaningful prose. What I presumed would end up being seven or eight divinely inspired statements on the subject mushroomed, so that by the time I got to work they had morphed into over seventy. As is natural for me, I instantly saw a book with each of these faith statements forming a short chapter. The statements may only have been accumulated in a couple of hours or so, but in reality they are the culmination of many years contemplating the issue as I lurched from one challenge to another in the wilderness of God's development.

I recall a time in my life when answers to prayers came rapidly, but as I matured through exposure to God's word, like many others, I experienced friction. Prayers were still answered but the waiting times were longer. Anyone been there? It got to the point where the old faith became insufficient. I needed a new brand of faith to confront my challenges. At the heart of this faith would be a strong conviction which no grade of adversity could dislodge. In the midst of a crisis my grasp of faith led me to write an article in a Christian magazine titled "Faith Requires Mountains". The idea being that without mountains one cannot grow in faith.

I am still scaling mountains in a bid to grow my faith. But the experience has enriched my appreciation of God in more ways than a mind driven by five senses could ever comprehend. What you are about to read are seventy-seven articles on the subject of faith derived from the statements I referred to earlier. The thoughts in each one derive from my rock-climbing experience in the wilderness of faith and I pray that they resonate with you as you tackle yours.