What Does it Really Mean to “Have Faith”? Part One

What Does it Really Mean to “Have Faith”? Part One February 2, 2025

When people say they “have faith,” what exactly does that mean? Does it simply mean they believe God exists? Perhaps they’re saying they trust that God will see them through whatever they are facing? Saying someone “has faith” could refer to many different things because “having faith” means different things to different people. The only definition of faith that matters is the Biblical description. So, what does it really mean to “have faith”?

What does have faith really mean?
Pic Created by Author in Canva

What is Faith?

The Biblical definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1 which says: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” According to this verse in Hebrews, faith is having the sense that there is evidence of a spiritual world that goes beyond our five senses. In other words, we may not be able to see it, but we know and believe it’s there.

Faith surpasses what our eyes can see, or what our ears can hear. It is what enables us to know that even though we cannot see God, He is there. Faith is what’s needed in order to experience the things we can’t see or touch. Furthermore, it is the willingness to rely on and trust in God, no matter what.

Increasing our faith doesn’t happen overnight. It is a process that occurs over time and develops as we put our trust in the Lord. In fact, faith builds each and every day. However, sometimes our faith can waver depending on what we are going through.

Faith gives us the ability to see what could be when trusting in the Lord and then taking that vision and applying it to our lives in the present time. The author of Hebrews gives examples of ten heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter eleven. The faith of each of these heroes gives us a picture of what true faith looks like and what God considers true faith to be.

If you’d like to read the stories of the heroes of faith, click here.

Heroes of Faith

The stories of these ten people are examples of what true faith looks like, especially in God’s eyes. In this article, we will look at five of these heroes. Each story is an example of faith that hopefully resonates with each of us and in turn allow us to apply the lessons to our lives.

(To Read Part Two of “What Does it Really Meant to Have Faith” Click here)

ABEL

In Hebrews 11:4 we read the story of Abel’s faith. Abel was the son of Adam and Eve.

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”

Abel offered God a sacrifice that was pleasing to Him (God); he didn’t do it his way or how he thought would be best. He presented God a sacrifice that Able knew would please God.

Takeaway

True faith desires to please God on HIS terms, the way HE wants, not the way we think it should be.

 

ENOCH

Enoch was a prophet of the Lord who served Him humbly all of his life. He trusted in God and was obedient. In fact, Genesis 5:24 tells us that “Enoch walked with God…

In Hebrews 11:5-6 we read this about Enoch: “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken, he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But 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.”

Enoch pleased God. How? Through his enormous faith. He trusted in God and obeyed Him. He sought the Lord with all of his heart.

In these verses we read how Enoch was pleasing to the Lord and verse six tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith. That means that through faith we believe God is who He says He is. And did you notice that there is a blessing attached to this as well? If we diligently seek the Lord, He will reward us.

Takeaway

Sincere faith believes that God exists and expects that He will bestow blessings upon us. BUT… we must seek Him diligently (every single day).

What does it mean to have faith?
Pic Created by Author in Canva

NOAH

The story of Noah is much more than a man building an ark. It is a story of a strong man of faith who obeyed God even when he didn’t understand God’s instructions. In Hebrews 11:7 we read concerning Noah: By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

At the time of Noah, it had never rained on the earth. Yet, God instructed him to build the ark, and Noah didn’t even understand why. Although the Bible doesn’t directly say so, Noah was most likely mocked and ridiculed by others as he built the ark. However, none of these things stopped Noah from building the ark. Noah believed, obeyed and remained faithful to the Lord.

Takeaway

True faith cares more about what God wants us to do than what others think about what we are doing. This kind of faith allows us to continue in obedience even when we don’t know what the end result is going to be. This faith is basically believing without seeing and trusting God no matter what.

(Does Your Prayer Life Need a Boost? Click here)

ABRAHAM – #1

God promised Abraham an inheritance. In Genesis 12:1 God tells Abraham to “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” Abraham did not ask questions; he packed up his family and he followed the Lord. He displayed great faith and trust knowing that the Lord would take care of him and deliver on His promises.

Takeaway

To have faith means that no matter where God is leading us, we follow without hesitation. We may have no idea what God’s plans are, but we believe in Him despite not knowing.

 

ABRAHAM – #2

Abraham is mentioned twice in the list of heroes of the faith. In Hebrews 11:17 we read this about Abraham: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

For those of you who are parents, can you imagine receiving instructions like this from God? Sacrifice your own child? I cannot fathom worse instructions. However, Abraham did not stop to ask questions, he didn’t ask God to chose something else for him to do, he obeyed God’s command.

How was Abraham able to obey?  His great faith enabled him to follow the Lord’s instructions. Abraham knew that God had made a promise and that one way or another, God would keep that promise.

Takeaway

God sometimes tests our faith. When He does, it’s not time to allow doubt to set in or to start questioning everything we know to be true about God. If we believe in Him and His promises, we know that He will see us through.

 

SARAH

Sarah was Abraham’s wife and was unable to bear children her entire life. When Sarah was around 90 years old (way past the age of childbearing) and Abraham was around 100, God promised them a child. In Genesis 18:11-15 we read the account where Sarah finds out that God is going to give her a child. Sarah’s response is to laugh. She could not imagine becoming pregnant at her age. However, despite her initial response, Sarah believed.

In Hebrews 11:11-12 we read the account of Sarah’s faith: “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore, from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude – innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.”

Takeaway

True faith believes that God can and will do the impossible. Again, as mentioned before, when God makes a promise, He always keeps it.

What does it really mean to have faith?
Pic Created by Author in Canva

Final Thoughts

What does having faith really mean? Well, true and sincere faith, as demonstrated through the heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter 11, is not just about believing in God, who we cannot see, it is also about being obedient and trusting in God and His promises, even when the outcome is uncertain.

The heroes of faith all exemplified a deep, unwavering trust in God’s faithfulness. No matter what challenges or hardships they faced or unanswered questions they had, their faith in God was greater than their fear or uncertainty.

(Click Here to Read About the Promises of God)

Faith is Active

These heroes’ stories remind us that faith is not passive; it requires action, perseverance, and the willingness to step into the unknown, knowing that God is always at work, even when we can’t see it.

By reflecting on their lives, we are encouraged to continue walking in faith, drawing strength from their examples, and knowing that God’s promises are trustworthy. As we face our own challenges, we can look to these witnesses as reminders that faith, rooted in God’s truth, enables us to move forward with hope, even in the midst of uncertainty.

Blessings,

Amy

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please feel free to share your insights, experiences or questions in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

"Here's something I heard years ago: THINK before you speak- is it TRUTHFUL, is it ..."

Sometimes it’s Best to Keep Your ..."
"Stick of Chalk in the Hand of the LordA young Christian struggled with understanding what ..."

What is God’s Desire for Mankind?
"What is God doing? It is not so much as what does God desire for ..."

What is God’s Desire for Mankind?
"It makes sense to assert that God wants what is best for humankind, but because, ..."

What is God’s Desire for Mankind?

Browse Our Archives