Fé: o que é, como funciona e sua prática diária

O que é a fé segundo a Bíblia

A fé bíblica é a certeza convicta das promessas de Deus e a prova daquilo que os olhos naturais não conseguem ver (Hebreus 11:1). Longe de ser otimismo ingênuo ou pensamento positivo, ela é uma confiança ativa no caráter e na fidelidade daquele que prometeu.

Na tradição bíblica, ter fé envolve crer que Deus existe e confiar que ele cuida daqueles que o buscam sinceramente.

1 Now faith is the substantiating of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.(Hebrews 11:1)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him. For he that draws near to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them who seek him out.(Hebrews 11:6)

11 By faith also Sarah herself received strength for the conception of seed, and that beyond a seasonable age; since she counted him faithful who promised.(Hebrews 11:11)

2 looking stedfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith: who, in view of the joy lying before him, endured the cross, having despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.(Hebrews 12:2)

38 But the just shall live by faith; and, if he draw back, my soul does not take pleasure in him.(Hebrews 10:38)

Salvação e justificação mediante a fé

No coração do Novo Testamento está o ensino de que a reconciliação com Deus não é conquistada por mérito ou esforço próprio, mas recebida como presente pela fé em Jesus Cristo. Essa mensagem atravessa as cartas apostólicas: a fé acolhe o favor imerecido de Deus e produz paz duradoura com o Criador.

Essa confiança não brota do vazio, mas nasce ao ouvir a mensagem do evangelho.

8 For ye are saved by grace, through faith; and this not of yourselves; it is God’s gift: 9 not on the principle of works, that no one might boast.(Ephesians 2:8,9)

17 for righteousness of God is revealed therein, on the principle of faith, to faith: according as it is written, But the just shall live by faith.(Romans 1:17)

5 but to him who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness.(Romans 4:5)

1 Therefore having been justified on the principle of faith, we have peace towards God through our Lord Jesus Christ;(Romans 5:1)

10 For with the heart is believed to righteousness; and with the mouth confession made to salvation.(Romans 10:10)

17 So faith then is by a report, but the report by God’s word.(Romans 10:17)

20 I am crucified with Christ, and no longer live, I, but Christ lives in me; but in that I now live in flesh, I live by faith, the faith of the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself for me.(Galatians 2:20)

26 for ye are all God’s sons by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For ye, as many as have been baptised unto Christ, have put on Christ.(Galatians 3:26,27)

A fé na oração e diante do impossível

Nos Evangelhos, Jesus repetidamente desafiou as pessoas a confiarem no poder soberano de Deus. Ter fé na oração não significa tentar manipular a vontade divina, mas reconhecer que Deus pode agir além dos limites humanos.

Mesmo uma fé pequena como um grão de mostarda é suficiente quando repousa no Deus Todo-Poderoso.

20 And he says to them, Because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say to this mountain, Be transported hence there, and it shall transport itself; and nothing shall be impossible to you.(Matthew 17:20)

21 And Jesus answering said to them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and do not doubt, not only shall ye do what is done to the fig-tree, but even if ye should say to this mountain, Be thou taken away and be thou cast into the sea, it shall come to pass.(Matthew 21:21)

22 And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.(Matthew 21:22)

29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, According to your faith, be it unto you.(Matthew 9:29)

28 Then Jesus answering said to her, O woman, thy faith is great. Be it to thee as thou desirest. And her daughter was healed from that hour.(Matthew 15:28)

23 And Jesus said to him, The ‘if thou couldst’ is if thou couldst believe: all things are possible to him that believes.(Mark 9:23)

22 And Jesus answering says to them, Have faith in God.(Mark 11:22)

24 For this reason I say to you, All things whatsoever ye pray for and ask, believe that ye receive it, and it shall come to pass for you.(Mark 11:24)

37 for nothing shall be impossible with God.(Luke 1:37)

Fé prática: obras, caráter e perseverança

A Escritura distingue a fé genuína de uma mera afirmação teórica. O apóstolo Tiago enfatiza que a fé verdadeira inevitavelmente transparece em ações de justiça, obediência e cuidado com o próximo. Sem frutos concretos, qualquer profissão de fé torna-se vazia.

Nas dificuldades e provações diárias, essa mesma fé funciona como um escudo contra o desespero e serve para amadurecer a perseverança cristã.

26 For as the body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.(James 2:26)

3 knowing that the proving of your faith works endurance.(James 1:3)

5 But if any one of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and reproaches not, and it shall be given to him: 6 but let him ask in faith, nothing doubting. For he that doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed about; 7 for let not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.(James 1:5-8)

6 Wherein ye exult, for a little while at present, if needed, put to grief by various trials, 7 that the proving of your faith, much more precious than of gold which perishes, though it be proved by fire, be found to praise and glory and honour in the revelation of Jesus Christ: 8 whom, having not seen, ye love; on whom though not now looking, but believing, ye exult with joy unspeakable and filled with the glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.(1 Peter 1:6-9)

9 Whom resist, stedfast in faith, knowing that the selfsame sufferings are accomplished in your brotherhood which is in the world.(1 Peter 5:9)

16 besides all these, having taken the shield of faith with which ye will be able to quench all the inflamed darts of the wicked one.(Ephesians 6:16)

2 And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.(1 Corinthians 13:2)

13 Be vigilant; stand fast in the faith; quit yourselves like men; be strong.(1 Corinthians 16:13)

7 (for we walk by faith, not by sight;)(2 Corinthians 5:7)

Confiança no dia a dia e a promessa da vida eterna

Viver pela fé significa abrir mão da autossuficiência e permitir que a sabedoria de Deus guie escolhas, relacionamentos e caminhos cotidianos. Mesmo diante do sofrimento ou da morte, o cristão apoia sua esperança na promessa da ressurreição e da vida plena com Cristo.

5 Confide in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own intelligence; 6 in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths.(Proverbs 3:5,6)

15 For thus saith the Lord Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest shall ye be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be your strength; but ye would not.(Isaiah 30:15)

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that ye should abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(Romans 15:13)

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, meekness of spirit.(1 Timothy 6:11)

7 I have combated the good combat, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.(2 Timothy 4:7)

13 if we are unfaithful, he abides faithful, for he cannot deny himself.(2 Timothy 2:13)

4 For all that has been begotten of God gets the victory over the world; and this is the victory which has gotten the victory over the world, our faith.(1 John 5:4)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes on him may not perish, but have life eternal.(John 3:16)

35 And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger, and he that believes on me shall never thirst at any time.(John 6:35)

25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believes on me, though he have died, shall live; 26 and every one who lives and believes on me shall never die. Believest thou this?(John 11:25,26)

15 Behold, if he slay me, yet would I trust in him; but I will defend mine own ways before him.(Job 13:15)