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Reasons for Faith and Trust in God's Existence

Faith in God's existence is presented in scripture as a foundational element of a relationship with the Divine, essential for pleasing God [2]. This faith is not merely a passive intellectual assent but involves active trust and a persuasion of the mind that certain statements about God are true [1].

The Biblical Basis for Believing in God's Existence

The Bible consistently assumes God's existence rather than offering explicit arguments for it [8]. From the opening verses of Genesis, God is presented as the Creator and sustainer of all things [10, 13, 15, 16]. The unity of God is a recurring theme, asserted by God himself, Christ, Moses, and the apostles [4]. This unity is demonstrated in God's greatness, wonderful works, creation, providence, and unique foreknowledge [4].

Hebrews 11:6 states, "Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him" [2]. This verse highlights two core components of faith in God's existence:

  1. Belief in God's existence: This is the conviction that God is real, an infinite, eternal, unoriginated, and self-existent Being who is the cause and sustainer of all other beings [17].
  2. Belief that God rewards those who diligently seek Him: This implies a belief in God's active involvement and responsiveness to humanity, and that He is not indifferent to worship [17].

The concept of God's steadfastness is also a reason for trust. God is exhibited as steadfast in all His purposes and ways [5]. This steadfastness is secured by God's power, presence, and the intercession of Christ [5].

The Nature of Faith and Trust

Faith, in its primary sense, is trust [1]. It is a persuasion of the mind that a statement is true, leading to an act of assent [1]. This trust is not blind but is based on evidence, allowing for varying degrees of assurance [1]. Knowledge is considered an essential element of faith, sometimes even equated with it [1]. The apostle Paul emphasizes that faith comes through hearing the message of Christ (Romans 10:14-17), indicating that teaching is a source of faith [1].

The "work of faith" is described as the active reality of faith, demonstrating itself through its fruits and not being a mere passive assent [12]. This "work" is a continuous chain of action, leading to perfect development [12]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, frequently commented on the nature of faith, often referencing passages from Genesis and the Pauline epistles [11, 13, 14, 15].

Assurance and Justification

Faith is closely linked to assurance. Assurance is produced by faith and confirmed by love [7]. It is the effect of righteousness and is abundant in the understanding of the gospel [7]. Saints are privileged to have assurance of their election, redemption, adoption, salvation, eternal life, and God's unalienable love [7]. The resurrection of Jesus is presented as God's "assurance" or pledge that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance [9]. The "full assurance of faith" is a complete faith in God that leaves no room for doubt, while "full assurance of understanding" is an unwavering conviction in the truth of Scripture [9].

The concept of justification by faith is central to Christian theology. Romans 3:30 states that "there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith" [3]. This justification is a demonstration of God's righteousness, where He is both just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [6].

God's Attributes as Reasons for Trust

Beyond His existence, God's attributes provide further reasons for trust. The Bible describes God as the Divine Being, using terms like 'El (meaning "to be strong") and 'Elohim [8]. The name Jehovah (LORD) is also used to denote the Supreme Being [8]. These names and descriptions point to God's inherent power, sovereignty, and uniqueness.

The unity of God, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 4:39-40 and Mark 12:29-30, serves as a ground for obeying and loving Him exclusively and supremely [4]. This unity is consistent with the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit, as seen in passages like John 10:30 and 1 John 5:7 [4]. God's works of creation and providence, as well as His foreknowledge, further exhibit His singular nature and provide reasons for trust [4].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
  2. Hebrews “Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. -- Hebrews 11:6”
  3. Romans “since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith. -- Romans 3:30”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Unity of God — A ground for obeying him exclusively -- De 4:39,40. A ground for loving him supremely -- De 6:4,5; Mr 12:29,30. Asserted by God himself. -- Isa 44:6,8; 45:18,21. Christ. -- Mr 12:29; Joh 17:3. Moses. -- De 4:39; 6:4. Apostles. -- 1Co 8:4,6; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 2:5. Consistent with the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit -- Joh 10:30; 1Jo 5:7; Joh 14:9-11. Exhibited in His greatness and wonderful works. -- 2Sa 7:22; Ps 86:10. His works of creation and providence. -- Isa 44:24; 45:5-8. His being alone possessed of fore-knowledge. -- Isa 46:9-11. His exercise”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Steadfastness — Exhibited by God in all his purposes and ways -- Nu 23:19; Da 6:26; Jas 1:17. Commanded -- Php 4:1; 2Th 2:15; Jas 1:6-8. Godliness necessary to -- Job 11:13-15. Secured by The power of God. -- Ps 55:22; 62:2; 1Pe 1:5; Jude 1:24. The presence of God. -- Ps 16:8. Trust in God. -- Ps 26:1. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32. A characteristic of saints -- Job 17:9; Joh 8:31. Should be manifested In cleaving to God. -- De 10:20; Ac 11:23. In the work of the Lord. -- 1Co 15:58. In continuing in the Apostles' doctrine. -- Ac 2:42. In holding fast our”
  6. Romans “Romans 3:26 (LEB) — in the forbearance of God, for the demonstration of his righteousness in the present time, so that he should be just and the one who justifies the person by faith in Jesus.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
  9. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
  10. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 28.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1-6 1:1-31 1:2 1:28 1:29-30 2:1 2:1-25 2:15 2:19 3:1 3:1-24 3:7 3:16 4:1 4:1-26 4:7 5:1 5:1-32 6:1 6:1-22 6:11-16 7:1-24 7:11 8:1-22 9:1 9:1 9:1-29 9:2 9:24 10 10:1 10:1 10:1-32 10:21 11:1 11:1 11:1-32 11:28 12:1 12:1 12:1 12:1-20 12:4 12:4 12:6 13:1 13:1-20 14:1-24 15:1-21 15:7 16:1-16 16:2 16:8 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1-27 18:1 18:1 18:1-33 18:19 19:1-38 20:1 20:1 20:1-18 21:1-34 21:15 22:1-24 22:18 23:1-20 24:31 25:1 25:13-16 35:7 48:1 Exodus 6:3 12:40 Leviticus 7:18 17:4 18:25 Numbers 6:2”
  11. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:26 2:10 2:18 2:21 2:21 2:24 2:24 2:24 3:5 3:6 3:11 3:16 3:16 3:16 3:19 3:19 4 4:2 4:6 4:7 4:7 4:7 4:9 4:9 4:10 4:10 4:10 4:11 4:14 6:3 6:3 6:9 9:5 9:20 9:22 11:8 11:31 12:3 12:7 12:7 14:14 15:12 15:13-14 18:3 18:3 18:3 18:7 18:17 18:19 18:27 18:33 21:12 22:3 22:18 25:33 27:27 27:41 27:45 28:12 28:20 29:23 30:1-2 31:7 31:15 31:40 32:10 32:21 32:28 32:29 33:19 37:18 39:1-20 40:23 41:40 41:42-43 42:21 45:5 45:5 45:9 45:24 48:16 49:7 60:8 Exodus 1:14 1:22 2:11 2:13 2:15 2:22 3:1 3:2 3:2 4:10 4:22 5:2 9:11 17:4 18:2”
  12. 1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 1:3: work of faith--the working reality of your faith; its alacrity in receiving the truth, and in evincing itself by its fruits. Not an otiose assent; but a realizing, working faith; not "in word only," but in one continuous chain of "work" (singular, not plural, works), Th1 1:5-10; Jam 2:22. So "the work of faith" in Th2 1:11 implies its perfect development (compare Jam 1:4). The other governing substantives similarly mark respectively the characteristic manifestation of the grace which follows each in the genitive. Faith, love, and hope, are the ”
  13. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1 1:2 1:3 1:20 1:26 1:26 2:7 2:17 2:18 3:5 3:9 3:9 3:10 3:16 3:18 3:19 4:4 4:7 4:7 4:9 4:10 6:2 6:5 6:9 7:1 11:4 12:1 12:7 12:7 13:15 13:15 15:5 15:6 17:14 18 18 18:15 18:17 18:21 18:21 21:12 22:1 22:1-2 22:12 23:4 25:27 26:18-22 27:41 28:20 37:7 37:9 37:10 47:9 47:9 47:31 49:9 Exodus 2:14 2:14 2:14-15 3:6 3:14 6:9 12:3 12:46 14:21 17:12 17:12 19 19:16 19:16 19:18 19:19 19:19 19:19 19:20 19:20 20:9 20:13 20:19 20:21 23:3 32:10 33:13 33:20 35:23 Leviticus 15:18 Numbers 5 6:3 9:12 11:12 14:3 14:29 16:5 17:12 Deu”
  14. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: 1:19 1:20 1:20 2:1-2 2:2 2:8 2:8 2:9 2:9 2:12 2:14 2:14 2:15 3:2-9 3:5 3:8-12 3:16 4:13 4:13 4:19 5:5 5:6 5:16 5:20 5:23 5:23 6:2 6:8 6:9 6:9 6:10 6:10 6:13 2 Timothy 1:5 1:5 1:16 2:9 2:9 3:2 3:12 3:15 4:6 4:6 4:10 4:11 4:11 4:13 4:15 4:17 4:20 Titus 1:7-9 1:12 1:12 1:16 2:12 3:5 Philemon 1:1 1:2 1:2 1:9 1:22 5:13 Hebrews 1:5 1:14 2:2 2:2 5:11-12 6:9 8:11 8:13 9:16 9:26 9:26-28 10:12 10:24 10:28-29 10:28-29 10:29 10:34 10:37 11:31 12:2 12:24 12:29 13:3 13:3 13:10 13:17 13:17 13:21 13:22 13:24 James 1:9 1:18 2:6 2:23 3:4 4:6 5:14-15 5:17 1 Peter 3:21 ”
  15. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:11 1:11 1:26 1:26 1:26 1:27 1:27 1:27 1:31 1:31 2:2 2:7 2:17 2:17 2:18 2:23 2:24 2:24 2:24 3:5 3:16 3:24 4 4:9 4:14 6:2 6:3 6:4 6:9 6:12 7:7 8:21 12:1 12:4 12:16 13:10 13:10-11 14:14 14:21-23 15:16 16:5 16:6 17:8 18:11 18:12 18:14 18:21 19:13 19:14 19:24 21:10 21:12 21:12 22:7-8 22:16 22:18 22:18 24:1-67 24:22 24:65 25:21 25:21 26:4 27:46 28:1 28:13 31:42 31:45 32:48 35:18 37:9-10 37:20 39:1 39:6 40:4 40:7 40:8 40:14-15 40:22 41 41:16 42:36 43:14 43:30 45:5 48:15-16 49:9 64:28 Exodus 2:11 2”
  16. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 53.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1 1:27 1:27 3:17 3:17 3:18 4:11 4:13 4:14 6:5 7:11 8:1 10:4 10:11 11:29 11:31 11:31 12:1 12:1 12:17 14:6 14:16 15:1 17:7 17:7 19:24 19:37 20:2 20:8 20:14 21:2 21:5 25:1 25:14 25:14 27:38 27:38 32:3 32:10 32:12 36:8 36:9 Exodus 3:8 7:13 8:15 13:3 13:5 13:8 13:14 13:17 14:14 14:21 14:22 15:10 17 18:21 19:5 19:6 19:6 19:6 19:6 20:1 20:2 20:24 20:25 23:32 27:1 29:45 33:3 34:6 34:6 34:15 34:30 Leviticus 19:9 19:10 26:3-13 26:8 26:12 26:12 26:16 Numbers 3:1-4:49 10:36 12:6 13:22 23:19 24:13 30:3 32:34 Deutero”
  17. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 11:6: He that cometh to God - The man who professes that it is his duty to worship God, must, if he act rationally, do it on the conviction that there is such a Being infinite, eternal, unoriginated, and self-existent; the cause of all other being; on whom all being depends; and by whose energy, bounty, and providence, all other beings exist, live, and are supplied with the means of continued existence and life. He must believe, also, that he rewards them that diligently seek him; that he is not indifferent about his own worship; that he requires adoration and religious ”
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