"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). We are commanded to have faith in God and in Christ (John 14:1; John 6:29) and yet it, of itself, is the gift and work of God in us, through the Holy Ghost by the Scriptures and preaching and other means (Rom. 12:3; Eph. 2:8; Acts 11:21; I Cor. 2:5; Heb. 12:2; I Cor. 12:9; John 20:31; John 17:20), causing by these means of grace, repentance and thereafter conversion (Mark 1:15; Acts 11:21). Through faith we obtain remission of sins, justification, salvation, sanctification, adoption of and access to God, the gift of the Holy Ghost, spiritual light and life, edification, preservation, eternal life and rest in heaven (Acts 10:43; Rom. 3:25; Acts 13:39; Mark 16:16; Acts 15:9; John 1:12; Gal. 3:26; Rom. 5:2; Eph. 3:12; Acts 11:15-17; John 12:36,46; John 20:31; Gal. 2:20; John 3:15-16; Heb. 4:3). Faith is essential to the profitable reception of the Gospel; it makes the Gospel effectual in those who have faith; it is necessary in the Christian warfare, and without it it is impossible to please God (Heb. 4:2; I Thess. 2:13; I Tim. 1:18,19; Heb. 11:6). The effect of faith in us is to produce hope, peace, confidence, boldness in preaching and testifying and, as Christ is precious to those having faith and dwells in their heart, they live, stand, walk, obtain a "good report," work in love, overcome the world, resist the devil (Rom. 5:2; Acts 16:34; Rom. 15:13; Is. 28:16; I Pet. 2:6; I Pet. 2:7; Eph. 3:17; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 4:12; Heb. 11:2; I John 5:4,5; I Pet. 5:9; Ps. 27:13; I Tim. 4:10). Therefore we should be sincere, strong and steadfast; holding our faith with a good conscience and not only praying for the increase, but having full assurance of it (I Tim. 1:5; II Cor. 8:7; Acts 14:22; Rom. 4:20-24; I Cor. 16:13; Col. 1:23; I Tim. 1:19; Luke 17:5; II Tim. 1:12). Then will we be known by our fruits, as without fruits our faith is dead (Jas. 2:21-25; Jas. 2:17,20,26), and as all difficulties are overcome by faith, so all things should be done by it, never fearing as we are fully protected by our shield and breastplate (Matt. 17:20, 21:21; Rom. 14:22; Eph. 6:16; I Thess 5:8).
