A L M A C I A S

EXAMPLES OF GREAT FAITH

As we study the Scriptures, we find many examples of people of great faith, as well as examples of people whose faith was almost nonexistent. From the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation, we find that those who had great faith were very special people. We have, for instance, the example of Noah as he was building the ark. He did this by faith, since there was no indication that rain could come upon them in such a way that they would need a boat such as the ark God had told Noah to build. But in spite of there not being any such threat of nature, Noah did as he was told by God and built an ark which would eventually save him and his family from drowning with the rest of the world. The faith which Noah had could be seen as he went about the business of building the ark.

Later we find the example of Abraham who would eventually come to be known as the father of the faith. What did Abraham do that earned him this designation? First, we read that when he was in Ur of Chaldee and God spoke to him and told him to go to a land that He would show him, Abraham did just as he was commanded. He left his land and most of his relatives behind to go to a land that he did not even know. How could he do such a thing? Abraham did this by faith. He trusted in God to take care of him when the need would arise. (Heb. 11:7-19)

Just as one can see the faith that Noah and Abraham showed in the Old Testament, so can we show the kind of faith we have in God. When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he stated that he was especially thankful for two things he had heard about them. We read in Ephesians 1:15, "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers." In this passage, we learn from the apostle Paul that it is possible for people to show what kind of faith they have. Paul had heard of the faith and love of the Ephesians. How was this possible? People must have seen their faith, as well as their love for all of the saints. Therefore, it is possible for people of God to show their faith, or their lack of faith, by their Christian lives, by the way they conduct themselves in a Godless society. What kind of faith are we showing those around us?