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 assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.(Hebrews 11:1)

6 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)

11 By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.(Hebrews 11:11)

2 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.(Hebrews 12:2)

38 But the righteous one will live by faith.

If he shrinks back, my soul has no 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 by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, that no one would boast.(Ephesians 2:8,9)

17 For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith."(Romans 1:17)

5 But to him who doesn’t work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.(Romans 4:5)

1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;(Romans 5:1)

10 For with the heart one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation.(Romans 10:10)

17 So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.(Romans 10:17)

20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.(Galatians 2:20)

26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into 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 He said to them, "Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20)

21 Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it would be done. (Matthew 21:21)

22 All things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."(Matthew 21:22)

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

28 Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that hour.(Matthew 15:28)

23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."(Mark 9:23)

22 Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. (Mark 11:22)

24 Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them. (Mark 11:24)

37 For nothing spoken by God is impossible."(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 apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.(James 2:26)

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.(James 1:3)

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. 7 For that man shouldn’t think that he will receive anything from the Lord. 8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.(James 1:5-8)

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ— 8 whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory, 9 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.(1 Peter 1:6-9)

9 Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.(1 Peter 5:9)

16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.(Ephesians 6:16)

2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.(1 Corinthians 13:2)

13 Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! 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 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart,

and don’t lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.(Proverbs 3:5,6)

15 For thus said the Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, "You will be saved in returning and rest. Your strength will be in quietness and in confidence." You refused,(Isaiah 30:15)

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

11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.(1 Timothy 6:11)

7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.(2 Timothy 4:7)

13 If we are faithless,

he remains faithful;

for he can’t deny himself."(2 Timothy 2:13)

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.(1 John 5:4)

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. 26 Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"(John 11:25,26)

15 Behold, he will kill me.

I have no hope.

Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.(Job 13:15)