Faith

Faith is belief or trust in something. Just as a foundation is important to a building, faith is only as good as what it places its hope in.

We will lack certainty if our trust relies, even in part, on ourselves or our efforts (Galatians 5:4). See Works.

This certainty is why God encourages us to trust in Christ’s saving work alone for eternal life. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Even this faith is not a work of humans but a gift (Ephesians 2:8) and work (1 Corinthians 12:3) of God.

Through faith in Christ alone, the merits of Christ’s saving work become ours personally. Moreover, this faith provides complete certainty and confidence (Hebrews 11:1).