Introduction

The Magna Carta, historically, was a foundational document that limited the power of the monarch and established certain rights for the people. In the spiritual realm, the doctrine of faith is our  Magna Carta. It is the foundational, non-negotiable principle upon which our relationship with God is built, defining our rights, our access, and our reality in Christ.

If redemption is the inheritance we receive in Christ, then faith is the title deed that proves ownership. This book is a deep exploration of Pistis (Greek for faith)—what it is, how it functions, why it is important, and how we ensure our faith remains genuine and effective until the finish line. Our goal is to move from merely hoping for a better future to having the absolute conviction of a present reality established by the Word of God.

CHAPTER 1: What Is Faith

The concept of faith (Pistis) is not vague optimism or blind hope; it is a spiritual substance, a tangible assurance derived from a known and trusted source: God's Word.

The Defining Verse: Hebrews 11:1

The most complete definition of faith in the Bible is found in Hebrews:

“NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” (Hebrews 11:1, AMPC)

This verse reveals two crucial Greek terms that illuminate the nature of faith:

1. Assurance / Substance (Hypostasis): This word is often translated as "substance." Etymologically, hypostasis means "a standing under" or "a foundation." In legal terms, it was used to refer to a title deed or the evidence of ownership of property. Faith, therefore, is not wishing; it is the spiritual substance upon which the reality of your hope rests. You do not wait to feel it or see it; you hold the title deed—the Word of God—in your spirit.

2. Evidence / Conviction (Elenchos): This word refers to a compelling conviction, an undeniable proof. Faith acts as the evidence of things not yet visible to the natural eye. It is the internal verdict that says, "It is finished," long before the five physical senses confirm it. Faith is being convinced of the reality promised by God, regardless of the contradictory evidence presented by your circumstances.

Faith Means Being Fully Convinced

This profound conviction is exemplified in the life of Abraham, the father of faith:

“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” (Romans 4:20-21, NKJV)

To be "fully convinced" is the essence of mature faith. Abraham’s faith was not passive; it was an active force that gave glory to God by treating the promise as already fulfilled. He knew God’s integrity was the guarantee, making the promise, though delayed, an absolute certainty.

How Does Faith Come?

If faith is a substance, how do we acquire it? It is imparted through a distinct process:

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

The Greek word used here for "word" is Rhema (in contrast to Logos, the complete written Word). Rhema refers to the specific, spoken, and active word of God breathed into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Faith does not come by merely reading the Bible, but by reading, meditating, and hearing that specific, living word that applies to your situation. When the Rhema takes root, faith is instantly generated.

The Spirit of Faith

The operational principle of faith is expression. Faith cannot remain silent:

“And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,” (II Corinthians 4:13, NKJV)

The Spirit of Faith is the essence or attitude of faith, and it is demonstrated by speaking what we believe. It is the spiritual discipline of declaring God’s reality over natural fact. Our words are the vessels that carry faith from our hearts into our external world.

This principle is the reason we are encouraged to boldly say what God has already declared:

“For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”” (Hebrews 13:5-6, NKJV)

We find what God has said, and then we boldly say it. This spoken declaration is the Spirit of Faith in action, releasing God's promise into our circumstances.

CHAPTER 2: Importance of Faith

 

Faith is not merely a path to salvation; it is the only operational principle by which a Christian can live, access divine benefits, and please God.

Faith is the Door to Righteousness and Peace

Faith is the sole condition for entering God’s righteousness. This is the cornerstone of the Christian life:

“For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:3, NKJV) “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:1, NKJV)

The righteousness of God is revealed “from faith to faith,” confirming that “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17, NKJV). Our justification (dikaioō—to be declared righteous) and the resulting peace with God are entirely dependent on believing, not achieving.

Furthermore, faith is the engine behind practical Christian living. It takes faith to:

• Refuse to avenge yourself.

• Forgive someone who has grievously wronged you.

• Give tithes and offerings (believing God is your provider).

• Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. In each case, you must transcend natural impulse and act based on the spiritual reality guaranteed by God’s Word.

The Word Works Only When Mixed with Faith

The Word of God, though intrinsically powerful, remains inert in a life devoid of faith. It must be activated by belief:

“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” (Hebrews 4:2, NKJV)

The Israelites who failed to enter the Promised Land heard the powerful promises of God, but their unbelief acted as a spiritual paralyzer. When the Word comes, you must believe it to see the results.

We see this tragic principle demonstrated in Jesus’ own ministry:

“Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:5-6, NKJV)

The power of God was not limited; it was paralyzed by the atmosphere of unbelief in Nazareth. This teaches us that faith is not just a personal matter—it creates an environment where God’s power can operate freely.

Faith Makes All Things Possible

Faith demolishes the boundary between the natural and the supernatural. The mountains in our lives—sickness, lack, and oppression—are merely opportunities for faith to operate:

“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:22-24, NKJV)

The Greek phrase "Have faith in God" is literally translated, "Have the faith of God." This speaks of a faith that operates with the divine conviction that nothing is impossible. Cancer can be healed, the church can be built, and salvation for many souls is possible—all if you believe.

Faith Brings Us Into Rest

A critical reward of faith is spiritual rest.

“For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: 'So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest…’” (Hebrews 4:3, NKJV)

This "rest" (katapausis) is not merely stopping work; it is ceasing from self-effort and trusting completely in Christ’s finished work. It takes faith to lay every burden down, to stop trying to impress others, and to know that God’s opinion is the only one that matters. It is a rest from the heavy weight of sin, guilt, and condemnation (Matthew 11:28-30). By faith, we enter this profound security, living in the certainty that our salvation and future are secured by God, not by our striving.

 

CHAPTER 3: The Law Of Faith

The Law of Faith is a spiritual, immutable principle (or nomos) established by God to operate independently of human performance. Paul writes that through faith, we exclude the need for the law of works: "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith." (Romans 3:27, NKJV). This divine law produces consistent results.

The Law of Faith Produces Righteousness

The Law of Faith displaces self-righteousness, substituting it with the perfect righteousness of Christ:

“and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3:9, KJV)

This is the divine exchange. We receive God's righteousness by simply believing in Christ. When people steal, it is often because they do not believe God loves them or will provide for them; they rely on their own effort, violating the Law of Faith. True faith produces righteousness, eliminating the need to strive or sin to achieve desired results.

The Law of Faith Produces Life

Faith is the conduit for receiving eternal life, or Aionios Zoe:

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36, KJV)

The possession of eternal life is immediate upon belief. He that believes has (present tense) everlasting life. This life is not a future hope but a present reality imparted through faith.

The Law of Faith Produces Victory

Faith is the conquering force that overcomes the challenges and systems of the world:

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5, KJV)

Faith is explicitly defined as the victory. The world systems—its pressures, fear, sickness, and financial limitations—are defeated in our lives by the conviction of our heart that Jesus is the Son of God.

The Law of Faith Produces Endless Possibilities

Faith nullifies the word 'impossible.' It opens the door to unlimited divine intervention:

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23, KJV)

Healing is possible, prosperity is possible, resurrection is possible. Faith qualifies the unqualified. Consider the Syro-Phoenician woman (Matthew 15:21-28). Though racially and religiously unqualified to receive help from Jesus, her great faith was the single factor that compelled Christ to grant her request, demonstrating that faith is the great equalizer.

The Unwavering Faithfulness of God

Even when our faith falters, the Law of Faith remains operational because it is rooted in God's integrity, not ours:

“if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13, KJV) “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar…” (Romans 3:3-4, KJV)

Our salvation, righteousness, and eternal promises are secured not by the strength of our faith, but by the object of our faith—a faithful God who cannot deny His own Word or character.

CHAPTER 4: Is Your Faith Unfeigned?

 

Because anyone can claim faith, the Bible instructs us to examine the quality and character of our belief. We must ensure our faith is unfeigned, that is genuine faith.

The Nature of Unfeigned Faith

The word unfeigned is translated from the Greek anupokritos (used in 1 Timothy 1:5 regarding love and 2 Corinthians 6:6). It literally means "without hypocrisy" or "genuine." It is the opposite of an actor's performance.

To determine if our faith is unfeigned, Paul challenges us:

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” (2 Corinthians 13:5, NKJV)

Genuine faith is proved by its practical attributes and effects on our behaviour.

Faith That Works with Patience (Hypomonē)

Genuine faith is not frantic or hurried; it possesses a spiritual composure that waits without compromising conviction.

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.” (Isaiah 28:16, NKJV)

The believer who is certain of God’s promise will not rush, panic, or run helter-skelter. The Law of Faith operates on God's timetable. The promises of God are inherited by those who combine faith with endurance:

“that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12, NKJV) “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:” (Hebrews 10:36, NKJV)

Faith demands patience (hypomonē—patient endurance under trial). Just because a promise is delayed does not mean your faith is weak; it means you are in the phase of patient endurance required to inherit the promise.

Faith That Produces Works

Genuine faith is not merely an intellectual assent; it is active. James famously challenged the notion of passive faith:

“But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:18-19, NKJV)

Works are not the cause of faith, but the proof of it. They are actions born of faith—obedience to the Word, forgiveness, giving, and acts of service. Even the demons believe in God’s existence, yet this belief does not justify them because it lacks obedience and love.

Faith That Works By Love (Agape)

The Law of Faith operates by a specific motive: Agape (God’s unconditional love).

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6, NKJV)

This is the New Covenant equation. Faith motivated by greed, selfish ambition, or lust for power is corrupted. True faith is motivated by love for God and love for others. Love is the spiritual atmosphere in which faith is most effective.

Faith That Pleases God

Ultimately, the reward of genuine faith is pleasing the Father:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV)

Faith that pleases God is two-dimensional:

1. Believing in His Existence: That He is (Romans 1:20-21). This is foundational—acknowledging the Invisible God revealed in creation.

2. Believing in His Rewarder Nature: That He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

To "seek the Lord" is to look to Him as the source and solution for all things. To "seek Him diligently" (ekzēteō—to search out) means to pursue Him with earnestness and consistency, expecting His promised intervention and reward.

 

CHAPTER 5: Supplements to Faith (The Ladder of Spiritual Growth)

 

Faith is the foundational step, but it is not meant to work alone. It operates in concert with seven complementary virtues, forming a ladder of spiritual growth that ensures stability, fruitfulness, and access to the kingdom's authority.

The Apostle Peter lays out the sequence for a life of spiritual stability:

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (II Peter 1:5-8, NKJV)

The rewards of diligently adding these supplements are profound:

1. You will never fall/stumble/fail.

2. You will not be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ.

3. You will have vision and eyes to see afar off. (He who lacks them is shortsighted, even to blindness).

4. You will have uninterrupted access into the everlasting Kingdom (authority and power).

Defining the Seven Supplements

1. Virtue (Aretē): Meaning moral excellence or manly courage. It is the quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong, including morality with respect to sexual relations. Faith must work by moral integrity; you cannot have a powerful faith walk with a compromised moral walk.

2. Knowledge (Gnōsis): Practical, accurate understanding of God, His Son, His Spirit, and His Kingdom principles. This is the truth that sets you free (John 8:32). Without knowledge, faith is easily led astray. As God declared, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). We must learn the interconnectedness of Kingdom concepts.

3. Self-Control (Egkrateia): Inner mastery over the body and appetites. It means to hold yourself in and guard against impulsive behaviour, especially concerning the tongue, sexual urges, and gluttony. Lack of self-control is the gateway to addiction and loss of authority.

4. Perseverance (Hypomonē): Patient endurance; remaining constant under trial or delay. This is the quality that sustains faith until the promise is fully manifested, refusing to quit or become weary.

5. Godliness (Eusebeia): Meaning piety, reverence, or holiness. It is the conduct that flows from the knowledge of God—your spiritual character that demonstrates reverence for God in all areas of life.

6. Brotherly Kindness (Philadelphía): Sincere, affectionate love for fellow believers, treating them as family. This is the necessary bridge between Godliness (vertical relationship) and the final step (horizontal, expansive relationship).

7. Love (Agape): God’s own unconditional, selfless love for humanity. This is the crowning virtue, the completion of the circle. As established in Chapter 4, faith must be motivated by Agape; without it, all the preceding virtues become self-centered and temporary.

CHAPTER 6: What Causes People to Wander From the Faith? (The Stumbling Blocks)

The spiritual journey is a race of faith, and many stumble and fall short of the finishing line. We must be sober and aware of the forces that actively try to steal our conviction and cause us to wander from the faith.

1. The Love of Money (Philarguría) and Worldliness

This is perhaps the most common and subtle stumbling block, affecting both laypeople and ministers:

“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:9-10, NASB)

The Greek word used here is Philarguría—the "love of silver." It is not money itself that is evil, but the affection for it, which displaces faith in God as the Provider. This love leads to temptation, snares, and destructive desires.

• The Example of Judas & Balaam: The desire for gain caused both Judas (love of unrighteous wages, Matthew 26:15) and Balaam (who loved the wages of unrighteousness, 2 Peter 2:15-16) to betray spiritual principles.

• The Example of Demas: Paul mourned the loss of a fellow worker: “For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica…” (II Timothy 4:10, NKJV). The love of this present world system—its comforts, philosophies, and priorities—is incompatible with the walk of faith.

2. False Knowledge (Antithesis Gnōsis)

There is a distinction between the true knowledge of God (Chapter 5) and deceptive, worldly philosophy:

“O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.” (1 Timothy 6:20-21, NASB1995)

The danger here is not learning, but rather human philosophy ($gnōsis$) that sets itself up against the Word of God ($antithesis$). Worldly knowledge puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1); it leads to intellectual pride, making people susceptible to arguing against the simple truths of the Gospel.

3. Seducing Spirits and Demonic Doctrines

This block is an active spiritual attack that seeks to hijack the faith of believers:

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons…” (1 Timothy 4:1, NASB1995)

These doctrines are often carried by hypocritical liars whose consciences are seared. These teachings often forbid things God has created for enjoyment (like marriage or certain foods), introducing legalistic, ascetic bondage that replaces the freedom of faith in Christ.

4. Unbelief (The Evil Heart)

Unbelief is not just doubt; it is a heart condition that deliberately rejects God’s revealed truth.

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;” (Hebrews 3:12, NKJV)

The writer of Hebrews calls unbelief an "evil heart" because it is a moral failure, not an intellectual one. If you walk in unbelief for too long, hardening your heart against God’s Word, you will inevitably depart from Christ altogether. The Jews who stumbled in the wilderness did so through unbelief, which led to disobedience.

5. Other Stumbling Blocks: Pride and Offence

Other major causes of falling away include Pride (Lucifer's fall) and Offence. The Jews stumbled through offence (Romans 9:33) because they were offended by Christ's humble presentation. When believers are offended by leadership, by other Christians, or by the fact that their immediate expectations of God were not met, they often feel justified in quitting the journey.

How To Get To The Finishing Line In The Race of Faith

The solution to overcoming these stumbling blocks lies in constantly adhering to the principles of the Magna Carta of Faith, particularly the supplements detailed in Chapter 5.

The key to victory is simple: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4, KJV).

To finish the race strong, we must:

1. Maintain Agape: Keep our faith working by love, preventing corruption from selfish ambition (Galatians 5:6).

2. Act Hastily in Obedience, But Not in Pursuit: Avoid the haste of the world (Proverbs 28:20), but quickly obey the Rhema of God.

3. Constantly Add the Supplements: Remember the promise of 2 Peter 1:10—if you do these things (the seven supplements), you will never stumble and will have abundant entrance into the Kingdom.

By living by this divine charter we guarantee the activation of our eternal rights and secure our triumphant finish in Christ.