#126 FAITH HAS AN OBJECTIVE 9-13-26
Faith is more than believing that God exists. Faith is more than believing certain facts about Jesus. Faith has an object, and the object of our faith is Jesus Christ. We look to Him, trust Him, depend upon Him, and follow Him. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Faith thinks about its object. What we believe about Jesus determines how we live for Jesus.
THE OBJECT OF FAITH IS JESUS. Faith must have somewhere to look. We cannot have biblical faith without having Christ at the center of it. He is not merely the subject of our preaching; He is the object of our trust. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith says, “I may not see everything, but I know the One who holds everything.” When life becomes uncertain, faith looks to Jesus. When the future is unclear, faith looks to Jesus. When our own strength fails, faith looks to Jesus.
THE OBJECTIVE OF FAITH IS LIVING FOR JESUS. If I truly trust Christ, that trust will eventually show itself in the way I live. Faith does not merely look toward Jesus on Sunday and then turn away from Him on Monday. “For to me, to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). Faith changes our priorities, our choices, our relationships, our words, and our direction. We do not live for Christ in order to make Him worthy of our faith; we live for Christ because He has become the object of our faith. “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20).
And this is where faith becomes more than an idea. Faith thinks, faith trusts, and faith follows. Faith sees Christ as Lord and therefore wants to live under His lordship. Faith sees Christ as Savior and therefore wants to remain near the Savior. Faith sees Christ as worthy and therefore counts everything else as secondary. “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience is not a substitute for faith; it is one of the ways living faith reveals itself.
THE OUTCOME OF FAITH IS SALVATION. We are not saved by believing in our own goodness. We are not saved by trusting in our religious accomplishments. We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Faith reaches out with empty hands and receives what only Christ can provide. “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).
So where is your faith looking today? If it is looking at yourself, you will eventually become discouraged. If it is looking at people, you will eventually become disappointed. If it is looking at circumstances, you will eventually become afraid. But if your faith is looking at Jesus, you have found a sure foundation. The object of faith is Jesus. The objective of faith is living for Jesus. The outcome of faith is salvation through Jesus. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
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Lord Jesus, teach me to look to You with a sincere and steadfast faith. Help me not merely to believe in You with my mind, but to trust You with my life. Let my faith shape my choices, my priorities, my words, and my walk. When I am afraid, help me look to You. When I am weak, help me depend upon You. And when I am tempted to trust myself, remind me that salvation belongs to You. May the faith I profess be seen in the life I live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
BDD
