Focus on the FundamentalsSample

Fundamental 4—Faith (Shield of Faith) (Eph 6:16) 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says, “We live by faith not by sight.” Faith is not something we need at salvation and then we don’t use it anymore. Faith is a daily discipline; faith bridges the gap between what we know and what God knows (which is a gap of infinity). We are told in Hebrews that, “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (11:6 NIV). The Hebrews faith chapter tell us that the great men and women we now know in the Old Testament had righteousness granted to them “by faith.” We need faith daily because we have daily doubts, struggles, and battles where we need to strengthen our faith in the unseen. God is unseen, His promises are unseen, His faithfulness is unseen, His love is unseen in the physical… yet by faith we can grasp these as reality in our current situation when we look to the spiritual and believe on Him who we have a foundation in through the Word of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Today’s verse in Jude says to build yourself up in faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Faith wavers; it needs strengthening. We need to admit our doubts—and not hide them or hide from them—to prevent them from festering and growing. Faith wavers when you do not focus on God; some days it is easier to believe than others, when life hits you hard and your eyes are not on Jesus. Doubt doesn’t mean you renounce your faith all together. Doubt often questions where God is, where His blessings are, and where His faithfulness is. Faith encourages us because we remember God’s Word and are able to stand firm on our foundation in Jesus Christ. Faith as a shield blocks the attacks of the enemy… IF we raise it in battle! A shield can cover you and protect those around you, too. Your faith can cover your family in a moment of doubt or weakness. What doubts do you have right now? Confess them and give them to God. How can you remember God’s goodness and faithfulness to you daily? What does raising your shield of faith look like in practice for you?