What The Bible Says About FaithSample

Failure of Faith

There are six New Testament expressions that trace the decline of faith in an individual. 

Before a person is saved, he may have:
    (1) “vain faith” or belief in the wrong doctrine (1 Corinthians 15:14–17);   or
    (2) “dead faith,” or belief in orthodox doctrine without personal belief in Christ (James 2:19, 20). 

After a person is saved, he can experience the following varieties of faith:
    (1) a kind of unbelief—experienced by believers who fail to accept the whole work of Christ (Mark 16:11–14);
    (2) “little faith”—a mixture of faith and unbelief (Mark 7:26);
    (3) “weak faith”—referring to belief expressed as mere legalism (Romans 14:1); or   
    (4) “strong faith”—faith that is rooted in the promises of God (Romans 4:20). 

Illustration
As Christians mature, they should grow in faith. This was the experience of Abraham. Early in his pilgrimage with God, he could not trust God to protect him in Egypt. This was weak faith (Genesis 12:10–20). He was later able to trust God, in sacrificing his son Isaac. This was strong faith (Hebrews 11:17–19). 

Application
The Christian life is a continual growing adventure in faith. (First Reference, Genesis 15:6; Primary Reference, Romans 4:20; compare Rom. 8:16.)