Topical Bible: Spiritual Life is Maintained by Faith

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The concept of spiritual life being maintained by faith is a central tenet in Christian theology, emphasizing the believer's ongoing relationship with God through trust and reliance on His promises. This principle is deeply rooted in Scripture and is essential for understanding the dynamics of a vibrant Christian life.

Faith as the Foundation of Spiritual Life

Faith is the cornerstone of the Christian spiritual journey. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance and certainty are not based on human reasoning but on the trustworthiness of God and His Word. Faith is the means by which believers receive and experience the grace of God, as stated in Ephesians 2:8 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God."

Living by Faith

The righteous are called to live by faith, as articulated in Habakkuk 2:4 : "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the righteous will live by his faith." This verse is echoed in the New Testament, particularly in Romans 1:17 : "For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Living by faith involves a daily commitment to trust in God's promises and His providence, even when circumstances are challenging or unclear.

Faith and Spiritual Growth

Faith is not static; it is dynamic and grows as believers mature in their spiritual walk. 2 Peter 1:5-7 encourages believers to "make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." This progression illustrates how faith is foundational to developing other Christian virtues, leading to a more profound spiritual life.

Faith in Trials

Trials and tribulations are an inevitable part of the Christian experience, and faith plays a crucial role in navigating these challenges. James 1:2-3 advises, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Through trials, faith is tested and refined, resulting in spiritual endurance and maturity.

Faith and the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is instrumental in maintaining spiritual life through faith. Galatians 5:5 states, "But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness." The Spirit empowers believers to live by faith, providing guidance, comfort, and strength. The fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23 , is evidence of a life maintained by faith, manifesting in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Faith and Prayer

Prayer is an expression of faith and a vital component of spiritual life. Mark 11:24 underscores the connection between faith and prayer: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Through prayer, believers communicate with God, express their dependence on Him, and align their will with His purposes.

Faith and the Word of God

The Word of God is both the source and sustenance of faith. Romans 10:17 declares, "Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Regular engagement with Scripture strengthens faith, providing the knowledge and understanding necessary for spiritual growth and perseverance.

In summary, spiritual life is maintained by faith through a continuous reliance on God's promises, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the nourishment of the Word of God. This faith is active, growing, and essential for navigating the complexities of life while maintaining a close relationship with the Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Life in Christ
... his Lord, discerns his character, apprehends him by faith, gazes upon ... of this spiritual
sight of Christ that our spiritual life is consciously maintained. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/life in christ.htm

Death to Sin is the Way Out into a Life of Holiness.
... by an honest act of renouncing, maintained by faith ... the very hardest thing in your
life"the place of ... for more than our own spiritual development; reproduction ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death to sin is the.htm

The Morning Watch in the Life of Obedience.
... strengthen the surrender to Jesus and the faith in Him ... of obedience can not only
be maintained in fresh ... in the morning watch, that our spiritual life is both ...
/.../murray/the school of obedience/iv the morning watch in.htm

Enoch, the Deathless
... When such unbroken intercourse with God is maintained, all duty and ... ardent in religious
exercises and unfailing in spiritual duties, in middle life and old ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/enoch the deathless.htm

Sharing Christ's Life
... life of the Christian must be maintained because Christ ... Whenever our spiritual life
is very weak, and we want ... spiritually, go to the Saviour for revived life. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/sharing christs life.htm

The Spirit of Supplication
... or energy by which his life is maintained and strengthened. ... and unfelt, the love
and the faith and the ... truth: It is only the healthy spiritual life that can ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter x the spirit of.htm

Early English Interpreters of Spiritual Religion: John Everard ...
... the Areopagite, and put them anew into spiritual circulation ... on reviving paganism,
yet himself maintained a positive Christian faith and a pure and simple life. ...
/.../chapter xiii early english interpreters.htm

Jesus Life-Giver and Judge.
... Him from ordinary men, that He maintained throughout His ... was certainly a great demand
on their faith which Jesus ... more than one source of spiritual life or more ...
/.../xiii jesus life-giver and judge.htm

Twenty-First Lesson. If Ye Abide in Me;'
... obedience that the abiding must be maintained: If ye ... from the Father that our prayer,
our faith, our will ... the terrible feebleness of our spiritual life as the ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/twenty-first lesson if ye abide.htm

Spiritual Condition of the Congregations. --The Seven Churches in ...
... but not its inward power of faith and life. Hence it was on the brink of spiritual
death. ... errorists predicted by Paul, and faithfully maintained the purity of ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 50 spiritual condition of.htm