How can I have total faith in God?

Bible Question:

How can I have total faith in God? I want to have faith in Him.

Bible Answer:

“Total faith” in Jesus is not possible in this mortal life. We are sinful people. But we can have more or less faith. It depends on our relationship with God.

Saving Faith

Initially, faith is given to us at the moment we understand that Jesus is God, died for our sins, and returned to life (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Faith is trusting in Him to forgive our sins (John 3:16). One who believes in Jesus Christ will also recognize at that moment of faith that God has the power to change lives and will find that acceptable to him or her (Rom. 10:9-10). Ephesians 2:8-9 tell us that this faith, “saving faith,” is a gift from God. It is not something that we create, work to get, or obtain by something that we do. Faith is given to you by God.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph 2:8-9 (NAS95S)

Spiritual Gift of Faith

Romans 12:4-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 tell us that God has given spiritual gifts to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. Among these gifts is one called the “spiritual gift of faith.” Here is the key passage,

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit . . 1 Cor 12:7-9 (NAS95S)

This gift is a special allotment of faith given to specific Christians. We can assume that the amount of faith varies with the individual believer. God the Holy Spirit decides who gets this spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:11). However, you could ask God for this gift. If He gives it to you, you would have a great amount of faith but not “total faith.”

Growing Faith

Every true believer in Jesus Christ has “saving faith.” This faith will grow with time. If the Holy Spirit gives you the spiritual gift of faith, you will have more immediately. The following passage reveals that God gives each of us various amounts of faith.