By Pastor David Soto
Welcome to our “Summer School” series! We are in the middle of our series, Back to the Basics, where we are looking beneath the surface to build a foundation that lasts. If you want to live a bigger, better, and more beautiful life, you have to get the basics right.
Today, we are diving into one of the most critical elements of the Christian foundation: Faith.
The Bible gives us a clear definition in Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Before we look at how to apply this to our lives, we have to understand Two Foundational Truths about Faith:
- Every believer has been given a measure of faith. Romans 12:3 tells us that “…God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” You already have what you need to start; it’s just a matter of growing it.
- We cannot please God without faith. Hebrews 11:6 makes it clear: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
So, how do we live out a baseline, foundational faith when life gets tough? We look at Abraham. Romans 4:18 says, “In hope against hope, he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken…”
When the odds were entirely against him, Abraham showed us the three basic keys to a rock-solid faith:
1. Faced the Facts with FAITH
“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.” Romans 4:19
Faith is not denial. Abraham didn’t pretend he wasn’t a hundred years old, and he didn’t pretend Sarah’s womb wasn’t dead. He faced the brutal facts of his reality, but he didn’t stop there. He looked past the physical facts to a higher spiritual truth.
When you face overwhelming facts in your life—whether it’s a medical report, a bank statement, or a broken relationship—you have to choose what you are going to focus on. As 2 Corinthians 4:13 reminds us: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” The facts are real, but God’s truth is greater.
2. Respect the PROMISE
“Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God.” Romans 4:20
When circumstances tell you one thing and God tells you another, you have to choose which one you respect more. Abraham chose to highly respect the promise of God over his problems. Instead of wavering, he gave glory to God before the promise even arrived.
God’s promises are completely foolproof because they are backed by His own character. Look at Hebrews 6:13-14: “For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, ‘Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.’” If God said it, that settles it.
3. Be Fully Convinced God CAN DO IT
“Being fully convinced that what He had promised, He was also able to perform.” Romans 4:21
This is the ultimate anchor of faith. Are you fully convinced? Not half-hearted, not hoping for the best, but utterly persuaded that God has the power to do exactly what He said He would do.
Your situation might look entirely impossible to human standards, but our God specializes in the impossible. Take Luke 1:37 to heart this week: “For with God nothing will be impossible.” If He promised it, He can do it.
Talk It Over
Take some time this week to process these questions personally, with your family, or with your small group:
- What circumstances in your life are challenging your faith right now? How can you choose to trust God’s truth over what you can physically see?
- How can you strengthen your faith by focusing on the Promises of God instead of your current problems?
- What would it look like for you to be fully convinced that God can do what He has promised, and what specific step of faith is He asking you to take today?