Living by faith is a journey of trusting God in all aspects of our lives and being obedient to His commands found in Scripture.

It is a life-long process that requires us to be willing to take action, even when we don’t understand the process. When we live by faith, we walk by faith, believing that God is in control and knows what is best for us. 

God is a loving Father, and He wants everything that is good for us as He molds us into the image of His only begotten Son.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.

3 Stages of Christian Growth

To live by faith means trusting in the Bible’s promises. We are choosing to believe that what God says is right and that those who contradict God’s Word are wrong.

Paul told the early Christians that no one is saved by the law but by faith. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation.

Justified by Christ

Becoming a Christian is an awesome gift provided by our heavenly Father. At the time of salvation, we are justified in Christ. That means that the work Jesus did on the cross satisfied the payment for sin that God requires from each one of us. 

So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 3:11b (ESV)

Sanctified by the Spirit

Sanctified is the process of growing more like Jesus each day we spend this side of heaven. Reading the Bible, praying, serving, loving others, and submitting to God’s will in our lives. We allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in our day-to-day as we live out our faith.

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV)

Living by faith is part of the sanctification process we Christians go through as we grow in our relationship with the Lord. We live faithfully, even when the path is unclear and the situation is challenging. 

Glorified by God

We will be glorified at the end of our time here on Earth. No matter what we do, how we act, or what happens to us in this life, our hope is in the process of being glorified for eternity! This is the truth that we stake our lives on.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV)

Examples of Living by Faith in the Bible

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:1-3 (ESV)

The writer of Hebrews outlines and describes many faithful servants who trusted, obeyed, and received the promises of God. They are witnesses of God’s faithfulness, trustworthiness, and åsteadfast love. As we read the many examples of people who lived by faith in the Bible, we are encouraged to believe even more strongly in things hoped for but still unseen.

• By faith, Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice and glorified God.
• By faith, Enoch walked with God and was taken up and never saw death.
• By faith, Noah and his family were saved from total destruction in the flood.
• By faith, Abraham followed God to an unknown place and received the inheritance.
• By faith, Sarah received power to conceive a son after she was past the child-bearing age.

There are many heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11. If you would like to do a deeper study of this book, I’ve listed a couple of great resources below.

In Kingdom Heroes you will discover how to commit to God’s best every day, use trials as opportunities, and leave a strong foundation for following generations.

The Key to Living by Faith. An inductive Bible Study of Hebrews.

Learn to keep your focus on Jesus and rely on His faithfulness in all situations. Gain a deeper understanding of God’s grace and provision.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

Why Is It Important to Live By Faith?

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. What good is it to say we have faith if we don’t believe what the Bible tells us is true?

• And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

To live by faith, we must be positioned in Christ. When we “put our trust” in the Lord, we are justified by faith, believing that God loves us and sent His Son to die on the cross in our place, paying the full payment required for our sin debt.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (ESV)

We begin to walk in the light of the gospel’s truth, which declares that God loved us enough to send His Son, Jesus, to redeem us and give us eternal life. 

Our trust is in God, who sent His only begotten Son to be the Redeemer of our souls. 

Faith is the act of believing what God says is true. The Bible says that you will be saved if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Christ from the dead. (Romans 10:9)

Believing and confessing what the Bible says is true is living by faith.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

How do we walk by faith?

Walking by faith takes action. After we accept Christ as our Savior, it’s time to “put our money where our mouth is”, as it were.

In James 2, we are challenged to show our faith through our works. James tells us that faith without works is dead. A faith-filled life is a life of service to God and others. But how do we activate that kind of life every day?

Practice Humility

Humility is a treasured characteristic that a lot of people don’t like to practice. Christ humbled Himself on the cross. He submitted to the will of the Father. That was the purpose of Christ’s coming.

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 (ESV)

We must be willing to submit our will to the Father, also. But we don’t have to be afraid. God has promised us that He is for us; He desires things that are good for us and not evil. Jeremiah 29:11 says it best.

I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG)

I love this version of this verse! God knows what He is doing. He has it all planned out, and those plans include taking care of you and filling your future with hope!

To walk by faith is to live in the confidence of a trustworthy God. We allow His providential vision to guide us.

It’s to live out His plan for your life – and trust that He knows what’s best for you.

Read the Bible

It’s hard to remain positive in a world that bombards us with bad news every time we turn on social media. But there are ways to combat this dilemma and make it easier to walk in faith.

Our first focus could be reading the Bible. When we read Scripture, our minds are renewed with the truths contained within the passages. And we find promises that we can hold on to.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 (ESV)

Reading the Bible is like reading the instructions for living by faith.

Bible reading doesn’t have to be a taunting exercise. Read the Bible, for the Bible’s sake!

I have never read the Bible all the way through in a year. Truly, I don’t know how anyone does. I guess if you are an avid reader, it would be doable. But I’m not.

I usually read the Bible by books or topics. But for the last three years, I’ve stuck to a 3-year reading plan. I’m almost finished (98%). I will probably start it again when I’m finished.

But I don’t enjoy all the books of the Bible. The wars, the judgments, the begettings–are all boring to me (or too heavy at times). I know there is a purpose for them, and I study a lot of those books. BUT–when I read the Bible, I want to hear about God’s promises, Jesus’ miracles, the stories of redemption, forgiveness, and love.

I cherish the love story of God’s relationship with humankind. How He reached down to me and pulled me up to Him. This website is named after the promise found in Ephesians 2.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV)

When I read those verses, I envision myself as a lowly sinner, picked up and wiped off by a loving Father, who places me on a branch beside my Savior (my own personal interpretation) and says, “Now watch this!” as He showers me with His lovingkindness!

The Bible is full of verses just like that! Go find some for yourself.

Meditate on Scripture

After you find a verse or two that really excites you, begin the process of meditation. Meditating on God’s Word helps us hide those words in our hearts so that the Holy Spirit can bring them to our remembrance when we need to hear them most.

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 (ESV)

When anyone mentions Ephesians, my mind always goes to the thought I shared above.

Meditating on Scripture helps us to remember the things we learn when we read the Bible.

Do you ever experience doubt, anxiety, or fear? Or maybe you struggle with envy, unforgiveness, or anger. The Word of God has promises and remedies for dealing with these emotions.

One of the things that I used to struggle with was anger, which showed up as impatience. But then I read that we are to live in peace (as much as possible) with everyone. Another verse told me to pray for my enemies and to love my neighbor. And then I read that I was to love God with all my heart, but I didn’t truly love God if I had hatred in for someone else.

And then Jesus said hatred for someone is murder in our hearts!

Reading the truth, admitting my sin, and meditating on the Scriptures helped me to think through my actions in different situations and circumstances. Now if I get angry or impatient, the Holy Spirit reminds me what the Lord has said about hatred, kindness, and loving others.

It will help you, too. Meditation on key Scriptures helps us to walk by faith, believing God’s Word is truth.

Communicate in Prayer

Our communication with the Father is key to living a life of faith.

How do we know what God’s will is if we don’t spend time before the throne? How can we hear His voice if we don’t sit in quiet contemplation in His Word?

Jesus knew it was important to keep open communication between Him and the Father. How much more do we need?

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:5-6 (ESV)

10 Benefits of Living By Faith

1. Faith saves us from sin. John 3:16 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
2. Faith is the beginning of true worship. John 4:24 (ESV) “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
3. Faith brings eternal life. John 5:24 (ESV) “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
4. Faith brings joy. 1 Peter 1:8 (ESV) “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.”
5. Faith brings peace. John 14:27 (ESV) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
6. Faith takes away our fear of the future. Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
7. Faith produces love for God and others. Luke 10:26 (ESV) “[Jesus said] ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.'”
8. Faith gives us the ability to live holy. Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
9. Faith gives us strength. Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
10. Faith guides our steps. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Living by faith is not a destination that you can reach but rather a journey of learning and growth.

We all have a journey that we must take in life – a journey of faith. It starts at the foot of the cross, and its final destination is eternal life.

Along this journey, we must learn to live by faith and trust in God’s plan for us. We must find our way through the darkness and difficult times, knowing that our ultimate destination is a place of peace and joy.

As we travel on this path of faith, we will encounter obstacles but also moments of clarity when we realize just how much God loves us and has planned for us.

Our journey starts at the foot of the cross, but our final destination is eternal life!