Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Romans 10:17
The message conveyed in Romans 10:17 is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith in our lives. The verse reminds us that faith is not something that can be acquired through our own efforts, but instead is a gift from God that is received through the hearing of the word of Christ. By opening our hearts and minds to the teachings of the Bible and the stories of Jesus' life and teachings, we allow ourselves to be infused with the enduring strength and wisdom of faith. In this way, we are empowered to face life's challenges with grace, courage, and optimism. So let us never forget the vital role that faith plays in our lives, and may we always stay open and receptive to its transformative power.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Romans 12:3
Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love — yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run.
1 Corinthians 13:13–14:1 (TPT)
The aforementioned verse from First Corinthians highlights the fact that regardless of life's obstacles, there remain three important concepts to hold on to: faith, hope, and love. Out of these three, love is undoubtedly the greatest as it is the one that truly encompasses the other two.
One cannot truly believe but for love, and cannot wait in hope with the passion of the same.
This message is a call to prioritize love above all else and to make it the ultimate goal in life. The author encourages their readers to run the race of life with love as their ultimate prize. The use of the word "beautiful" to describe love is telling, as it captures the true essence of what love really is - a wondrous and majestic force that can bring about healing and unity. So, as everyone navigates through the ups and downs of life, hope in Christ will always bring us through.
Love (Jesus personified) should ultimately be cherished above all else.
Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it would be done.”
Matthew 21:21 (WEB)
Why we believe
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For that man shouldn’t think that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5–8 (WEB)
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder!
James 2:19 (ESV)
We know that no one receives God's perfect righteousness as a reward for keeping the law, but only by the faith of Jesus, the Messiah! His faithfulness has saved us, and we have received God's perfect righteousness. Now we know that God accepts no one by the keeping of religious laws!
Galatians 2, The Passion Translation
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked TPT are taken from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018, 2020 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com.