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Faith is the cornerstone of Christianity. From Jesus healing to Jesus correcting sinful behavior, He consistently taught the importance of faith in the Christian journey.
Healing the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years, and who grabbed His garments in desperation for relief, Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (Mark 5:34).
In the same manner, healing the Samaritan leper, Jesus declared, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19).
Similar accounts are found in Luke 7, where a woman known for her sin is forgiven because of her faith (Luke 7:50), and in Mark 10, where Bartimaeus, who was blind, is healed after crying out to Christ (Mark 10:52).
Jesus consistently underscored faith, showing that faith both makes someone well and saves them.
Further teachings on faith are found in the book of James, where James teaches that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
In one of the most important passages of Scripture, James reminds believers that genuine faith produces visible fruit in the Christian life.
Faith is indeed the required element for salvation. Christians are often told that they do not work for their salvation, which is indeed true (Ephesians 2:8–9).
However, Jesus Himself also called His followers to be the salt and light of the earth (Matthew 5:13–16). How is one to stand out if they do not produce good branches or examples of Christ’s holiness? Jesus Himself taught that a tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 7:16–20).
In a similar concept, Jesus noted the Greatest Commandment, ordering His followers to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and to love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:37–39). Here again, Jesus is placing genuine faith in God as the foundation of the Christian life. Yet closely connected to this teaching is the principle of the Golden Rule: treating others the way you wish to be treated (Matthew 7:12). This is indeed a work, but one that does not earn salvation and yet showcases the power of Jesus and the change in the sinner’s heart.
The pursuit of holiness and the purification of the soul are central to the Christian life. Yet Christianity can only be spread as the Good News when it resembles good deeds. Paul taught that faith, hope, and love are central attributes of the Christian life, and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
References to the fruit of the Spirit, found in Galatians 5:22–23 and echoed in Ephesians 5:9, support the change of mind and behavior of the new Christian. From love to goodness and gentleness, the salvation of Christ is centered on love and being the light of the earth.
From formal ministry to local evangelism, the mission of Christianity is to make disciples of Christ (Matthew 28:19–20).
Complacency leads to a Christian life without growth and to grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Everyone has their part in Christ’s mission. The Greatest Commandment solidifies the Christian way.
Faith saves, but living faith produces fruit. When the heart is transformed by Christ, the believer’s life begins to reflect Him.
