What it means to have faith

Luke 7:40-50 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

40 Jesus spoke up, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

Simon replied, “Teacher, you’re free to speak.”

41 So Jesus said, “Two men owed a moneylender some money. One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other owed him fifty. 42 When they couldn’t pay it back, he was kind enough to cancel their debts. Now, who do you think will love him the most?”

43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one who had the largest debt canceled.”

Jesus said to him, “You’re right!” 44 Then, turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “You see this woman, don’t you? I came into your house. You didn’t wash my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You didn’t give me a kiss. But ever since I came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You didn’t put any olive oil on my head. But she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 That’s why I’m telling you that her many sins have been forgiven. Her great love proves that. But whoever receives little forgiveness loves very little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 The other guests thought, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace!”

Faith is a verdict – an outcome or conclusion. It is what is evident afterwards, not while in process. It is like the receipt of a transaction or the result of an election or an exam – there for all to see, and inviolable. It cannot be changed. It is what it is, happily. Jesus declared that the woman in the above passage of Scripture had faith, but if you asked her, she would have said that she felt grateful and indebted to Jesus for forgiving her her sins. She would have declared her gratitude and perhaps, love for Jesus, but Jesus Himself calls this, faith - the outcome of what had already taken place in the woman's heart.  

So, what is the backstory to faith? How is it arrived at? What must I do to ensure that I have faith? Faith comes by knowing Jesus as the One who loves and accepts me totally, without reservation, and who cares for me with fierce jealousy as only God could. As I know, accept and live in the reality of this truth and take it for granted (i.e. as a given) in my every thought and action (big and small), God calls this faith.