Faith

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III discusses the subject of faith, explaining that it is not merely an intellectual belief but a practical life lived with God. He explains that faith has several meanings: faith in unseen things as described in the Epistle to the Hebrews, faith as a gift of the Holy Spirit, faith as a fruit of the Spirit, and finally faith in the Christian doctrine and in the Person and saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Message

The Pope explains that true faith is demonstrated through complete trust in God, surrendering one’s life to Him, and having confidence that God works in every circumstance for the good of His children. He emphasizes that faith is not limited to acknowledging God’s existence but also includes believing in His attributes, His power, His justice, His love, and His continual care for humanity. He also explains that practical faith differs from theoretical faith because genuine faith is revealed through one’s conduct, obedience, and steadfastness during trials.

Educational Lesson

His Holiness presents many biblical examples that demonstrate the power of faith, including the faith of Abraham in obeying God, the faith of Daniel and the three young men, the faith of the martyrs, and Peter’s faith when he walked on the water. He also explains that God may work through the faith of others, such as the healing of the paralytic through the faith of those who carried him, the healing of the Canaanite woman’s daughter through her mother’s faith, and the healing of the centurion’s servant through the centurion’s faith. He teaches that faith grants a person strength, courage, and inner peace, enabling them to face difficulties with complete confidence in God.

Practical Application

The Pope encourages every believer to ask God for faith through prayer, to hold firmly to God’s promises, and to trust the work of the Holy Spirit within the heart. He also encourages believers to transform faith from mere intellectual knowledge into a practical life filled with obedience, surrender, love, and freedom from fear. He emphasizes that faith working through love is the faith that leads to salvation, bears good fruits, and grants a person peace and steadfastness in every circumstance.

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