Defining Christian Faith

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

The shield was a vital part of the Roman soldier's equipment. There were two types of shields commonly used by Roman soldiers. One was a small round shield no more than two feet in diameter. This shield was used for quick offensive strikes against outnumbered enemies.

The second shield was much larger about two and half feet wide by four and a half feet high. This shield was often made of wood and covered with metal or oiled leather. These were used by troops in the front lines to provide protection for the entire body.

The Greek word pistis deals with the aspect of relationships established in trust and being worthy of trust. The term was often used in the Greek legal system to describe a formal contract between partners. Thus the understanding of faith is that you are entering a partnership with Christ. The words belief and faith appear almost 500 times in the New Testament.

Real faith is nothing less than absolute commitment to Christ. It is the entering of a partnership relationship with Jesus. Paul taught that faith is trust in the person of Jesus, the truth of His teaching and the redemptive work of the cross. Faith is the radical and complete commitment to Jesus as being the Lord of one's life.

Faith provides us with a covering over our lives and protects us from the spiritual attacks of Satan. Faith becomes our strong defense against the spiritual difficulties that we face daily.

Faith empowers life
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26

Jesus was speaking here with Martha, just after the death of her brother, Lazarus, when He said these words. Jesus clearly made the connection between faith and life.