I Need True Faith - Not an Emotional High

Q. What is true faith? 

A. True faith is a sure knowledge whereby I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in His Word.

John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” 

John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” 

Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 

James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe; and tremble!

At the same time it is a firm confidence  

Romans 4:18-21…who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… 

Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

that not only to others, but also to me,

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

God has granted forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness, and salvation,

Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” 

Hebrews 10:10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

out of mere grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits.

Romans 3:20-26 

• Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 
• But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 
• even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 
• for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 
• being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 
• whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 
• to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Galatians 2:16 ...knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

This faith the Holy Spirit works in my heart by the gospel.

Acts 16:14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

1 Corinthians 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

The Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 7