Faith-ing... The Questions

What is FAITH?

You hear about FAITH all the time,
It seems to be a core element of Christianity,
But at times FAITH can seem like a puffy, effervescent cloud,
Vague,
Obscure,
Intangible,
You get it, but you don't,
Not like solid physical object,
That you can grasp and hold on to.

And yet FAITH is linked to ALOT of really important Biblical concepts,
And not understanding FAITH,
Is like missing a key ingredient to a master receipe,
Is like a chef not knowing where the key ingredient is and what it looks like.

FAITH is required for salvation.
(Oooo, that's kinda important -_-)
"you have been saved through FAITH"
"whoever BELIEVES in him should not perish but have eternal life. "

FAITH enables or disables God to work miracles...
"And he did not do many miracles there because of their LACK of FAITH."

FAITH is like a credit to our spiritual bank account...
"Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was counted to him as righteousness."

FAITH gets us off the hamster wheel of the law...
"one is justified by FAITH apart from works of the law"

All the big spiritual words like "justificiation" and "righteousness" need FAITH...
"we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through FAITH in Jesus Christ"

"righteousness from God that depends on FAITH"

So apparently FAITH is a big deal, eh? O_o

There is the one verse that supposedly "defines" FAITH, but does it really give the clarity we need?
"FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"

That's still so abstract, because it still leaves so many unanswered questions...

Doe sthat verse really spell out what i need to know about FIATH? How do I know if I "have" FAITH? Where I stand with FAITH? Am I increasing in FAITH or decreasing? Am I at a standstill? Am I doing the right things? Why do I feel stuck or stagnant? What does this feel lame? Am I doing something wrong? What is this FAITH thing anyways? Why should I care? Can't I just go to church and call it a day? Isn't listenting to a sermon once a week enough? Isn't not murdering, lying, cheating or stealing good enough? Why do I really need to learn about FAITH? What is it anyways?

What is FAITH?
Why is it important?
What's the big deal?
I have what I need, right?
What if I don't?
What's the difference?
Why does it matter?
How can you tell
How do you know?
How do you find out?
Is it measurable?
Is it practical?
Is it just theoretical?
What's the modern application?
How is it relevant today?
How about for teens and youth?
Why should they care?
Many don't and seem just fine.
How can you get them to care?
How can they understand if most adults don't understand?
What's the point?
Isn't it all just vague?
What can we get our arms wrapped around about it?
Is it possible to understand and apply properly?
Were do you even start?
What is the end game of FAITH?
What is the goal?
Why is FAITH needed?

CONCLUSION: These are all questions we should be asking ourselves. These are all questions we should ask/teach our children. What is FAITH (-ing)?

To be continued...
We're just getting started.

"Dear Heavenly Father,

What is FAITH?
Will You teach me?
Will You help me understand it deeply,
So that I can understand You more?

Will You help make it make sense?
Will You help me enjoy learning it?
Will You make it fun so I want to learn more?
Will You tickle my brain and make me curious?
Will You make me hungry to learn more about it?

I know it's important,
But I need greater understanding,
Grant me Your wisdom,
Your learning,
Your perspective,
Your heart,
Your FAITH,
In Jesus name, Amen."

Cheers to pondering if you truly know and understand FAITH. ^_^