# Faith ## Catechism of the Catholic Church Both a gift of God and a human act by which the believer gives personal adherence to God who invites his response, and freely assents to the whole truth that God has revealed. It is this revelation of God which the Church proposes for our belief, and which we profess in the Creed, celebrate in the sacraments, live by right conduct that fulfills the twofold commandment of charity (as specified in the ten commandments), and respond to in our prayer of faith. Faith is both a theological virtue given by God as grace, and an obligation which flows from the first commandment of God ([[1.1.0.0.p8#^ccc-26|26]], [[1.1.3.0.pu#^ccc-142|142]], [[1.1.3.1.pw#^ccc-150|150]], [[3.1.1.7.p66#^ccc-1814|1814]], [[3.2.1.1.p7c#^ccc-2087|2087]]). ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible **Faith** Assurance of things hoped for: [[hebrews-11#^hebrews-11-1|Heb 11:1]] Body of belief: [[philippians-01#^philippians-01-27|Phil 1:27]]; [[colossians-01#^colossians-01-23|Col 1:23]]; [[1-timothy-01#^1-timothy-01-2|1 Tim 1:2]]; [[1-timothy-03#^1-timothy-03-9|3:9]]; [[1-timothy-04#^1-timothy-04-1|4:1, 6]]; [[1-timothy-05#^1-timothy-05-8|5:8]]; [[1-timothy-06#^1-timothy-06-10|6:10, 12, 21]]; [[2-timothy-04#^2-timothy-04-7|2 Tim 4:7]]; [[titus-01#^titus-01-13|Tit 1:13]]; Jude 3 Completed by works: [[james-02#^james-02-22|Jas 2:22]] Dead without works of love: [[james-02#^james-02-17|Jas 2:17, 23-24]] Degrees of faith: [[luke-17#^luke-17-5|Lk 17:5-6]] Faith is a form of obedience to God's Word: [[john-03#^john-03-36|Jn 3:36]]; [[romans-01#^romans-01-5|Rom 1:5]]; [[romans-16#^romans-16-26|16:26]]; [[1-john-03#^1-john-03-23|1 Jn 3:23]] Justification by faith in Jesus Christ apart from works of the Law but not by faith alone: [[galatians-02#^galatians-02-16|Gal 2:16]]; [[james-02#^james-02-24|Jas 2:24]] Love completes faith: [[galatians-05#^galatians-05-6|Gal 5:6]] Necessary for salvation: [[mark-16#^mark-16-16|Mk 16:16]]; [[john-03#^john-03-16|Jn 3:16]]; [[john-08#^john-08-24|8:24]]; [[acts-of-the-apostles-16#^acts-of-the-apostles-16-31|Acts 16:31]]; [[hebrews-11#^hebrews-11-6|Heb 11:6]] No absolute assurance of salvation because apostasy and other grave sin remains possible in this life: [[romans-11#^romans-11-20|Rom 11:20-22]]; [[hebrews-06#^hebrews-06-4|Heb 6:4-6]]; [[2-peter-02#^2-peter-02-20|2 Pet 2:20-22]] Salvation by grace through faith: [[ephesians-02#^ephesians-02-8|Eph 2:8]] Walk by faith, not by sight: [[2-corinthians-05#^2-corinthians-05-7|2 Cor 5:7]] *See also* [[grace]]; [[justification]]; [[salvation]]; [[works]] ### Sources [[index-of-doctrines|Index of Doctrines]] ## Divine Intimacy Meditations - Its necessity [[15-the-lord-is-nigh#Meditation 2|15,2]]; [[18-seeking-god-in-faith#Meditation 1|18,1]], [[18-seeking-god-in-faith#Meditation 2|18,2]]; [[241-faith#Meditation 1|241,1]]; - is proximate and proportionate means to union with God: [[48-living-in-christ#Meditation 1|48,1]]; - quest of God in —: [[18-seeking-god-in-faith#Meditation 2|18,2]]; [[141-stay-with-us#Meditation 2|141,2]]; - spirit of — makes one recognize God in all creatures: [[29-the-nativity-of-our-lord#Meditation 1|29,1]], [[29-the-nativity-of-our-lord#Meditation 2|29,2]]; [[163-the-spirit-of-faith#Meditation 1|163,1]], [[163-the-spirit-of-faith#Meditation 2|163,2]]; - to believe in the infinite love of God: [[18-seeking-god-in-faith#Meditation 2|18,2]]; [[19-seeking-god-in-love#Meditation 1|19,1]]; 30.[[1-the-lord-cometh-from-afar#Meditation 2|1,2]]; [[63-jesus-calms-the-tempest#Meditation 1|63,1]]; [[235-infinite-love#Meditation 2|235,2]]; [[301-the-characteristics-of-a-christian#Meditation 1|301,1]]; - to believe in one’s vocation to sanctity and intimacy with God: [[177-marys-faith#Meditation 1|177,1]]; - practice of — in darkness and temptation: [[41-the-epiphany-of-our-lord#Meditation 2|41,2]]; [[147-the-paschal-harvest#Meditation 2|147,2]]; [[242-the-obscure-light-of-faith#Meditation 2|242,2]]; [[243-the-power-of-faith#Meditation 2|243,2]]; - and in the dark night of the spirit: [[353-desolation-and-darkness#Meditation 2|353,2]]; - spirit of — in trials: [[63-jesus-calms-the-tempest#Meditation 1|63,1]]; [[119-the-multiplication-of-the-loaves#Meditation 2|119,2]]; [[147-the-paschal-harvest#Meditation 2|147,2]]; 163.1; [[177-marys-faith#Meditation 1|177,1]]; - conduct in temptations and doubts against — [[242-the-obscure-light-of-faith#Meditation 2|242,2]]; - by trials and difficulties — becomes purer and stronger: [[242-the-obscure-light-of-faith#Meditation 2|242,2]]; [[243-the-power-of-faith#Meditation 2|243,2]]; - naked and pure — the sole support of the soul in the dark night of the soul: [[353-desolation-and-darkness#Meditation 2|353,2]]; - makes one share in the knowledge of God: [[53-jesus-the-teacher-of-sanctity#Meditation 1|53,1]]; [[241-faith#Meditation 1|241,1]]; [[250-charity#Meditation 1|250,1]]; - makes one see and judge things as God Himself does: [[163-the-spirit-of-faith#Meditation 1|163,1]]; [[241-faith#Meditation 1|241,1]]; [[244-faith-in-practice#Meditation 2|244,2]]; [[348-purifying-love#Meditation 2|348,2]]; - is an anticipation of the knowledge of God that we shall have in Heaven: [[241-faith#Meditation 2|241,2]]; - makes us enter, while on earth, into communion with the thought and knowledge of God: [[241-faith#Meditation 2|241,2]]; - the more we judge things in the light of —, the nearer we draw to the Wisdom of God [[244-faith-in-practice#Meditation 2|244,2]]; - examples of living —: [[56-jesus-welcomes-everyone#Meditation 1|56,1]]; [[91-prediction-of-the-passion#Meditation 2|91,2]]; - doubt of Thomas the Apostle strengthens our —: [[147-the-paschal-harvest#Meditation 2|147,2]]; - necessary to draw near to Jesus with the simplicity of a child: [[147-the-paschal-harvest#Meditation 1|147,1]]; - to have great —, necessary to have humility and simplicity of a child: [[345-union-with-god#Meditation 1|345,1]]; - — is the foundation of supernatural obedience [[124-blind-obedience#Meditation 2|124,2]]; - importance of — in relation to the Eucharist: [[292-the-practice-of-patience#Meditation 1|292,1]], [[292-the-practice-of-patience#Meditation 2|292,2]]; - spirit of — in suffering and difficulty [[128-patience#Meditation 2|128,2]]; [[243-the-power-of-faith#Meditation 1|243,1]]; - in the providential government of God, who ordains all for our good and our sanctification [[163-the-spirit-of-faith#Meditation 1|163,1]], [[163-the-spirit-of-faith#Meditation 2|163,2]]; [[244-faith-in-practice#Meditation 1|244,1]], [[244-faith-in-practice#Meditation 2|244,2]]; [[351-passive-purification#Meditation 2|351,2]]; - spirit of — recognizes God, His Will, or permission in every circumstance of life: [[163-the-spirit-of-faith#Meditation 1|163,1]], [[163-the-spirit-of-faith#Meditation 2|163,2]]; [[244-faith-in-practice#Meditation 1|244,1]], [[244-faith-in-practice#Meditation 2|244,2]]; [[351-passive-purification#Meditation 1|351,1]], [[351-passive-purification#Meditation 2|351,2]]; - spirit of — does not examine the Ways of God, but believes in Him and follows Him blindly: [[177-marys-faith#Meditation 2|177,2]]; - lack of — hinders us from overcoming many difficulties: [[243-the-power-of-faith#Meditation 1|243,1]]; - — should enlighten, not only hour of prayer, but our whole life: [[244-faith-in-practice#Meditation 1|244,1]]; - glance of — is most comprehensive and penetrating: [[244-faith-in-practice#Meditation 2|244,2]]; - to believe in the wise and loving government of God without understanding it: [[244-faith-in-practice#Meditation 2|244,2]]; - blessed are those who have no need of sensible signs to believe in God: [[147-the-paschal-harvest#Meditation 2|147,2]]; [[329-the-road-to-our-eternal-home#Meditation 2|329,2]]; - more than substitutes for the senses: [[201-the-real-presence#Meditation 2|201,2]]; - is often smothered in a too natural mentality: [[244-faith-in-practice#Meditation 1|244,1]]; - purifies the understanding [[349-toward-complete-purification#Meditation 2|349,2]]; - value of — which clings blindly to God through every circumstance and personal experience: [[147-the-paschal-harvest#Meditation 2|147,2]]; [[221-in-the-presence-of-the-trinity#Meditation 1|221,1]]; [[242-the-obscure-light-of-faith#Meditation 1|242,1]], [[242-the-obscure-light-of-faith#Meditation 2|242,2]]; [[353-desolation-and-darkness#Meditation 2|353,2]]; - is voluntary adherence of the intellect to revealed truth: [[202-the-mystery-of-faith#Meditation 2|202,2]]; [[242-the-obscure-light-of-faith#Meditation 2|242,2]]; - certitude and obscurity of —: [[242-the-obscure-light-of-faith#Meditation 2|242,2]]; - obscurity of — constitutes the glory and the merit of the act of —: [[242-the-obscure-light-of-faith#Meditation 2|242,2]]; - profound motive of — is not our experience, but the authority of God: [[329-the-road-to-our-eternal-home#Meditation 2|329,2]]; - the purer is —, the more free from human elements, the more pleasing it is to God: [[329-the-road-to-our-eternal-home#Meditation 2|329,2]]; - without works — is dead: [[238-the-fruits-of-life#Meditation 1|238,1]];[[254-the-excellence-of-charity#Meditation 1|254,1]]; - should be sustained by hope: [[246-hope#Meditation 1|246,1]]; - — without charity is incomplete: [[254-the-excellence-of-charity#Meditation 1|254,1]]; - in Heaven it will cease: [[254-the-excellence-of-charity#Meditation 1|254,1]]; - is perfected by the gift of understanding: [[311-the-gift-of-understanding#Meditation 1|311,1]]; - the more lively — is, so much the more God enters into our life—the great reality in whom we live: [[241-faith#Meditation 2|241,2]]; - God uses His omnipotence in favor of one who firmly believes in Him [[243-the-power-of-faith#Meditation 1|243,1]]; - to believe in God at all costs and without uncertainty: [[243-the-power-of-faith#Meditation 2|243,2]]. ### Sources - [[15-the-lord-is-nigh|15. The Lord is Nigh]] - [[18-seeking-god-in-faith|18. Seeking God in Faith]] - [[19-seeking-god-in-love|19.Seeking God in Love]] - [[29-the-nativity-of-our-lord|29. The Nativity of Our Lord]] - [[30-believing-in-love|30. Believing in Love]] - [[41-the-epiphany-of-our-lord|41. The Epiphany of Our Lord]] - [[48-living-in-christ|48. Living in Christ]] - [[53-jesus-the-teacher-of-sanctity|53. Jesus the Teacher of Sanctity]] - [[56-jesus-welcomes-everyone|56. Jesus Welcomes Everyone]] - [[63-jesus-calms-the-tempest|63. Jesus Calms the Tempest]] - [[91-prediction-of-the-passion|91. Prediction of the Passion]] - [[119-the-multiplication-of-the-loaves|119. The Multiplication of the Loaves]] - [[124-blind-obedience|124. Blind Obedience]] - [[128-patience|128. Patience]] - [[141-stay-with-us|141. Stay with Us]] - [[147-the-paschal-harvest|147. The Paschal Harvest]] - [[163-the-spirit-of-faith|163. The Spirit of Faith]] - [[177-marys-faith|177. Mary’s Faith]] - [[201-the-real-presence|201. The Real Presence]] - [[202-the-mystery-of-faith|202. The Mystery of Faith]] - [[221-in-the-presence-of-the-trinity|221. In the Presence of the Trinity]] - [[235-infinite-love|235. Infinite Love]] - [[238-the-fruits-of-life|238. The Fruits of Life]] - [[241-faith|241. Faith]] - [[242-the-obscure-light-of-faith|242. The Obscure Light of Faith]] - [[243-the-power-of-faith|243. The Power of Faith]] - [[244-faith-in-practice|244. Faith In Practice]] - [[246-hope|246. Hope]] - [[250-charity|250. Charity]] - [[254-the-excellence-of-charity|254. The Excellence of Charity]] - [[292-the-practice-of-patience|292. The Practice of Patience]] - [[301-the-characteristics-of-a-christian|301. The Characteristics of a Christian]] - [[311-the-gift-of-understanding|311. The Gift of Understanding]] - [[329-the-road-to-our-eternal-home|329. The Road to Our Eternal home]] - [[345-union-with-god|345. Union with God]] - [[348-purifying-love|348. Purifying Love]] - [[340-apostolic-maturity|349. Apostolic Maturity]] - [[351-passive-purification|351. Passive Purification]] - [[353-desolation-and-darkness|353. Desolation and Darkness]] ## The Interior Castle Study Edition Glossary Faith is a gift God pours into the intellect, by which we know and give assent to all that God revealed to us about himself and about the means by which we can reach him. Through trials that test and perfect it, faith brings the soul into an ever-deeper likeness to Christ. ## The Way of Perfection FAITH. Believing what the Lord says, the words coming from the mouth of Truth itself, and the truths he tells us ([[tj-way-ccel-23|23.6]]; [[tj-way-ccel-28|28.1]]; [[tj-way-ccel-19|19.2]]). The Lord calls us to drink from the fount of living water; by faith we know of his goodness; in this respect he will not let us die of thirst ([[tj-way-ccel-23|23.5]]). When we know this through experience, faith is awakened ([[tj-way-ccel-30|30.3]]; [[tj-way-ccel-34|34.6]]; [[tj-way-ccel-28|28.1]]). It is a pity when faith is so unawakened that one does not understand fully the certainty of punishment and reward ([[tj-way-ccel-30|30.3]]). Faith is strengthened by considering that in Communion the Lord enters our house as truly as he did the house of the Pharisee, even though we don't see him with our bodily eyes and even when we don't feel devotion ([[tj-way-ccel-34|34.6]]–[[tj-way-ccel-34|7]]). Teresa had no doubt that miracles could be worked while the Lord was within her and that, as her guest, he would give her what she asked of him ([[tj-way-ccel-34|34.8]]). The Lord found more faith in women than in men ([[tj-way-ccel-03|3.7]]). You will be walking along a good path if we believe firmly what Holy Mother church holds ([[tj-way-ccel-21|21.10]]). ## Compendium on Social Doctrine ![[sd-10-index-f#Faith]]