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 our trust in God is the guarantee of what we hope for, the evidence of what we can’t see.(Hebrews 11:1)

6 You can’t expect God to be pleased with you if you don’t trust him! Anyone who comes to God must believe that God exists, and that he rewards those who are searching for him.(Hebrews 11:6)

11 By her trust in God even Sarah herself was given the ability to conceive a child though she was too old, because she trusted God who had made the promise.(Hebrews 11:11)

2 We should keep on looking to Jesus, the one who begins and completes our trust in God. Because of the joy ahead of him Jesus endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.(Hebrews 12:2)

38 Those who do what is right will live by trusting in God, and if they draw back from their commitment, I won’t be pleased with them."(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 you’ve been saved by grace through trusting in him—it’s not through yourselves, it’s the gift of God! 9 This has nothing to do with human effort, so don’t be proud of yourselves.(Ephesians 2:8,9)

17 For in the good news God is revealed as good and right, trustworthy from start to finish. As Scripture says, "Those who are right with God live by trusting him."(Romans 1:17)

5 But God, who makes sinners right, considers them as right not because they’ve worked for it but because they trust in him. This is why(Romans 4:5)

1 Now that we have been made right by God by trusting in him, we have peace with him through our Lord Jesus Christ.(Romans 5:1)

10 Your trust in God makes you right and good, and your declaration of accepting God saves you.(Romans 10:10)

17 Trusting in God comes from hearing—hearing the message of Christ.(Romans 10:17)

20 I’ve been crucified with Christ— so it’s no longer I who lives, but it is Christ living in me. The life I now live in this body, I live by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me, and who gave himself for me.(Galatians 2:20)

26 For you are all God’s children through your trust in Christ Jesus. 27 All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with 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 "Because you don’t trust enough," Jesus told them. "I tell you, even if your trust was as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible for you."(Matthew 17:20)

21 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "If you really trust in God, and don’t doubt him, you could not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even more. If you said to this mountain, ‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea,’ it would happen!(Matthew 21:21)

22 You will receive everything you ask for in prayer, as long as you trust in God."(Matthew 21:22)

29 Then Jesus touched their eyes, and said, "Because of your trust in me it will happen!"(Matthew 9:29)

28 "You have great trust in me," Jesus answered. "Your wish is granted!" And her daughter was healed immediately.(Matthew 15:28)

23 "Why do you say, ‘if you can?’" replied Jesus. "Whoever trusts has every power!"(Mark 9:23)

22 "Trust in God," Jesus replied.(Mark 11:22)

24 I’m telling you that whatever you pray for, whatever you ask, trust that you’ve received it, and it’s yours.(Mark 11:24)

37 Nothing is impossible for 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 Just as the body is dead without the spirit, trust in God is dead if you don’t do what’s right.(James 2:26)

3 because you know that endurance comes from dealing with challenges to your trust in God.(James 1:3)

5 If any of you need wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to everyone without holding back. 6 But when you ask, remember to trust in God—don’t have any doubts. Someone who doubts is like the crashing waves of the sea, tossed about and driven by the wind. 7 Nobody like that should think they’ll get anything from the Lord— 8 their minds think every which way, and they’re unstable in whatever they do.(James 1:5-8)

6 So be glad about this, even though you may be sad for a short while as you endure various trials. 7 These prove that your trust in God is genuine, just as fire is used to prove if gold is genuine—even though that too can be destroyed—and your faith is more valuable than gold! In this way your trust in God will be recognized and you will receive praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ appears.

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you cannot see him now, you trust in him and you’re filled with wonderful, indescribable happiness. 9 Your reward for trusting in him is that you will be saved!(1 Peter 1:6-9)

9 Stand firm against him, trusting in God. Remember that your fellow-believers around the world are going through similar troubles.(1 Peter 5:9)

16 Above all, take up the shield of trusting God, by which you’ll be able to put out all the devil’s flaming arrows.(Ephesians 6:16)

2 If I were to speak prophecies, to know every secret mystery and be completely knowledgeable, and if I were able to have so much faith I could move mountains, but have no love, then I am nothing.(1 Corinthians 13:2)

13 Stay alert. Stand firm in your trust in God. Take courage. Be strong.(1 Corinthians 16:13)

7 (For we live by trusting in God, not by seeing him.)(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 Put your trust totally in the Lord—don’t rely on what you think you know! 6 Remember him in everything you do, and he’ll show you the right way.(Proverbs 3:5,6)

15 This is what the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, said, If you repent and patiently trust in me, you would be saved; you would be strong if you had such calm confidence. But you refused to do it.(Isaiah 30:15)

13 May the God of hope completely fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you will overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit!(Romans 15:13)

11 But you as a man of God should run away from such things. You should seek to do what is right, practice true religion, and trust in God. Aim to love, to be patient, and gentle.(1 Timothy 6:11)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept my trust in God.(2 Timothy 4:7)

13 If we are not trustworthy, he is still trustworthy, for he cannot be untrue to himself."(2 Timothy 2:13)

4 Everyone who is born of God defeats the world. The way we gain victory and defeat the world is by trusting God.(1 John 5:4)

16 For God loved the world, and this is how: he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who trusts in him shouldn’t die, but have eternal life.(John 3:16)

35 "I am the bread of life," Jesus replied. "Anyone who comes to me will never be hungry again, and anyone who trusts in me will never be thirsty again.(John 6:35)

25 Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who trust in me will live, even though they die. 26 All who live in me and trust in me will never die. Do you believe this?"(John 11:25,26)

15 Even though he kills me, I will hope in him. I am still going to defend my ways before him.(Job 13:15)