"Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into the grace in which we stand." Romans 5:1-2

Let us continue to look into these verses to see what Scripture says about faith. The Greek word for faith is PISTIS and as stated last week it is defined as: '...firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing...' It is the same word used for 'believe' in Hebrews 10:39: "But our way is not that of those who draw back to eternal misery
(perdition) and are utterly destroyed, but we are of those who believe [who cleave to and trust in and rely on God through Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and by faith preserve the soul." The Amplified Bible

Scripture tells us that:
Faith is an indispensable element of our relationship to God: "And without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

Faith is a defensive weapon and is part of the armor of God: "In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one." Ephesians 6:16 (Did you notice it says 'all the flaming missiles of the evil one'? At this time in history there are many of those missiles aimed at the Believer and our faith in Christ Jesus!)

Faith is essential to prayer:
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:5-6

Faith should be united with love:
"And this is His order (His command, His injunction): that we should believe in (put our faith and trust in and adhere to and rely on) the name of His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and that we should love one another, just as He has commanded us." 1 John 3:23 Amplified Bible

To those who exercise faith, to those who believe, there is the promise
of: Sonship:
"But to as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." John 1:16

Rest for the soul:
"For we who believed enter that rest..." Hebrews 4:3
(Read Hebrews 4:1-4 for a fuller understanding.)

A spiritual inheritance:
"Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?" James 2:5

Spiritual assurance and answered prayer:
"And this the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 1 John 5:14

"And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive." Matthew 21:22

"Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Hallelujah and Amen!