Paul Johnson – Scripture Heaven

Faith is one of the most foundational aspects of the Christian life, yet it is often misunderstood. Many people associate faith with religious effort, thinking it means trying harder, being more disciplined, or proving themselves worthy of God’s blessings. But true biblical faith is not about working—it’s about resting in what Jesus has already done. This study will walk through Bible verses about faith with explanation, showing how faith is not something we strive for but something we receive. Faith isn’t just about believing in God for salvation—it’s about trusting Him in every area of life. The same faith that saves us also empowers us, provides for us, and transforms us. Jesus himself taught us that faith is not about striving - he compared true faith to a child’s trust, a branch abiding in a vine, and even a seed growing in the ground without striving. This seven-day study uses Bible verses on faith with explanations to explore faith from the foundation up, addressing what it is, what Jesus accomplished to make faith possible, and how we can rest in His finished work. We will also discuss the challenges to faith, how fear and distractions can make it ineffective, and how to fully embrace the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. 7 Day Study of Bible Verses on Faith with Explanations Day 1: What is Faith? Scripture: "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 18:3 (KJV) Devotional Imagine sitting among the disciples as Jesus spoke these words from the scripture above. Those words were the answer to the question he posed two verses earlier: Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Think about other adults or proud religious leaders that heard him speak those words. They might have thought they would hear a profound teaching on how to earn the glory of God. But, instead, what they heard was something much simpler: be more like a child. But, why would Jesus say they must become like children? Weren’t they supposed to grow in knowledge, discipline, and responsibility? Weren’t they supposed to prove their faithfulness by their works? Jesus was pointing to something deeper. A child doesn’t wake up in the morning wondering how they will be fed, protected, or cared for. They don’t strategize or stress about whether their parents will come through for them. They don't strive to "deserve" it. They simply believe. This is the kind of faith Jesus calls us to—a trust that is rooted in the unshakable love of the Father. In many ways, faith is like learning to float in water. When someone first takes swimming lessons, their natural instinct is to kick, thrash, and struggle to stay afloat. But the more they fight, the faster they sink. The only way to truly float is to let go—to release control, lean back, and trust that the water will hold them up. Faith works in a similar way. The more we strive to earn something from God, whether through good deeds or religious effort, the more we struggle and sink. Faith is only active when we stop working and start resting. It is believing that God has already done the work through Jesus and that we simply receive, now, by being connected to him. In fact, the moment we add our effort, trying to prove ourselves or "help" God, faith is made void. This was the purpose of Jesus coming to save us. Before Him, humanity was caught in an endless cycle of striving—trying to earn righteousness, trying to be good enough, trying to follow laws that only highlighted human weakness. Before Jesus, the weight of sin kept people bound to an old-covenant system where blessings, favor, and even access to God were tied to their performance. But Jesus didn’t come to add another step to the process - He came to remove the burden completely. He came to be the bridge between us and the Father, replacing striving with resting. Jesus explained this through His teaching in Matthew 6:33, where He said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." But what does it really mean to seek the kingdom of God? Does seeking mean striving, working, or constantly serving to prove ourselves? Although as believers, we should always have an open heart to helping others and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, this verse calls us to something deeper than effort—it calls us to trust. Instead of waking up with all of our needs on our minds, feeling the pressure to solve them, Jesus invites us to wake up and draw close to God, much like a child would with a loving parent. Would it make sense for a young child to wake up burdened by worry, wondering how to meet their needs, or would it make more sense for that child to wake up and "seek ye first" the parent, rest in the parent's love, and trust that the parent will provide their needs? This is the posture Jesus calls us to—one of childlike faith, not fear-driven striving. The kingdom of God isn’t something we work to attain, it’s something we receive by faith in Jesus Christ. The moment we stop trying to "fix" everything in our own strength and instead seek first His kingdom, like a child would, the power of the Holy Spirit can transform our flesh. Day 1 Final Thoughts Key Thought: Faith is like floating on water—it only works when you stop struggling and fully trust. Action Step: Identify one area where you've been striving instead of trusting. Release it to God today and choose to rest. Today's Prayer: Father, I let go of my need to earn Your love and blessings. Teach me to trust You completely. Day 2: What Has Jesus Done? Scripture: "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." — Hebrews 10:10 (KJV) Devotional Picture this—a man spends his entire life trying to build a bridge across a deep canyon. He stacks stones, builds planks, and ties ropes, but every time he gets close to finishing, the bridge collapses under its own weight. No matter how hard he tries, he can never quite make it across. Then one day, he looks up and sees that a perfect, unshakable bridge has already been built for him—a bridge so strong that all he has to do is step onto it and walk across. That bridge is Jesus. For centuries, people tried to earn their way to God. The old covenant required sacrifices, rituals, and strict obedience to the law. The system wasn’t broken; it was simply never meant to be the final solution. It was designed to point to the need for a Savior. In the Old Testament, no matter how hard they tried, people could never truly bridge the gap between themselves and God. Sin always demanded more—more sacrifices, more offerings, more effort. The law was a constant reminder that human strength was never enough. But then Jesus came. Unlike the priests who had to offer sacrifices over and over again, Jesus became the final sacrifice—once for all. His blood didn’t just cover sin temporarily; it removed it completely. His death on the cross didn’t just make salvation possible; it guaranteed it for those who believe. Yet, even today, many believers still act like they need to build their own bridge. They try to "earn" their righteousness through good deeds, religious discipline, or self-improvement. But the good news of the gospel is that Jesus already did the work. Faith isn’t about building our own bridge, it's about using the bridge that Jesus built. This is why Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." If salvation were something we could earn, then it wouldn’t be a gift. It would be a wage. But God never asked us to work for it—He asked us to receive it. Day 2 Final Thoughts Key Thought: Faith is not about building our way to God—it’s about stepping onto the finished bridge Jesus already provided. Action Step: Stop trying to "qualify" for God's love or blessings. Instead, thank Him for the finished work of Jesus and receive it by faith. Today's Prayer: Jesus, thank You for doing what I never could. I choose to trust in Your finished work instead of my own efforts. Day 3: Faith and Rest Scripture: "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." — Galatians 5:9 (KJV) Devotional Paul used the verse above to warn the Galatians about keeping faith pure. They had started strong, believing in Jesus' finished work, but over time, they slipped back into thinking they had to do something more to stay right with God. They began adding religious rules and old covenant laws, believing that faith alone wasn’t enough. But Paul told them that mixing works with faith ruins its power—just like a little leaven changes an entire batch of dough. If you've ever baked bread, you know that yeast doesn’t need much time to take over. You only need a tiny bit, and soon, it spreads through the entire mixture. The dough rises, completely transformed by something that started small. That’s what Paul was saying—just a little bit of self-effort mixed with faith will change faith into something else. Faith cannot be combined with any works. Faith must stand alone. The moment we try to earn what has already been freely given, faith is no longer faith—it becomes human effort. This is why faith and rest go together. Faith is trusting that Jesus has already done everything needed for us to be saved, blessed, and made righteous. But when we start adding our own works—thinking we need to pray a certain number of times, serve more, give more, or prove our worth to God—we unknowingly move away from faith and step into striving. Jesus came to remove that burden, not add to it. Think about the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42). When Jesus visited their home, Martha was busy serving—cooking, cleaning, preparing—because she thought that’s what was expected of her. Mary, on the other hand, simply sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to His words. Martha became frustrated and even told Jesus to make Mary help her. But Jesus responded, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Martha was working, but Mary was resting in faith. Jesus didn’t say that serving was bad—He simply pointed out that Mary had chosen what was truly important. Faith is about choosing to sit at Jesus’ feet—to trust, receive, and rest in Him rather than rushing around trying to prove ourselves. When we stop striving and truly rest in faith, we position ourselves to hear from God more clearly, receive what He has for us, and walk in His blessings without the stress of trying to make things happen in our own strength. Some may ask, "But shouldn’t I do good works?" Yes! But good works should be fruit from the Holy Spirit alive in you, which can only be received by putting all your faith in the finished works of Jesus Christ. Day 3 Final Thoughts Key Thought: Faith thrives when we rest in Jesus. The moment we start striving, we step out of faith. Action Step: Take a moment to reflect: are you living from a place of rest in faith, or are you striving? Choose to sit at Jesus’ feet today—read His Word, listen to Him, and simply trust. Today's Prayer: Lord, I choose to rest at Your feet, trusting that if I rest, the same Spirit that raised you from the dead can come into my life to transform me, heal me, and bless me. Day 4: The Challenges of Faith Scripture: "And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful." — Mark 4:19 (KJV) Devotional Our lives have never been busier, and distractions have never been more constant. Everywhere we turn, there’s something demanding our attention—work, family, finances, social media, responsibilities. The world tells us we need to hustle, plan, and strategize to get ahead, but Jesus teaches us that when we become too consumed with these things, faith gets choked out. In Mark 4:19, Jesus explains that cares, riches, and desires can enter our hearts and make the Word of God ineffective. This means that even if we have faith, distractions can weaken it to the point where we stop seeing results. Faith isn’t just about believing—it’s about where we place our focus. Peter experienced this when he stepped out of the boat to walk on water (Matthew 14:28-31). As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on top of the waves. But the moment he looked at the wind and the waves, fear overtook him, and he began to sink. His faith was real—he had enough faith to step onto the water—but fear distracted him. It took his focus away from the One who was holding him up. This is exactly what happens in our own lives. We believe God’s promises, but then circumstances start speaking louder than His Word. Bills pile up, relationships get strained, unexpected problems arise, and suddenly, we feel the need to take control. Instead of resting in faith, we lean on our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." The moment we try to figure everything out on our own, we step out of faith and into fear. Fear will always compete with faith. The enemy knows that if he can get us to focus on lack, uncertainty, or pressure, he can keep us from fully trusting God. This is why Jesus constantly told people, "Fear not." He knew that fear and faith cannot operate together. If fear is present, faith is being pushed aside. If faith is present, fear loses its grip. So how do we keep faith from being choked out? By guarding what we allow into our hearts. If we are constantly feeding our minds with worry, negative news, and anxious thoughts, faith will be starved. But if we fill ourselves with God’s Word, prayer, and time in His presence, faith will be strengthened. This 7-day study guide on Bible verses about faith with explanations will hopefully provide you a launching pad and a way to prevent the world from filling your mind with fear and doubt. Day 4 Final Thoughts Key Thought: Faith and fear cannot operate together. Whatever we focus on the most will grow stronger. Action Step: Identify one distraction or fear that has been pulling your attention away from trusting God. Replace it with a scripture and meditate on His promise instead. Today's Prayer: Lord, I refuse to let fear and distractions choke my faith. I rest and let the Holy Spirit help me to keep my eyes on You and trust in Your promises above everything else. Day 5: Learning to Rest in Faith Scripture: "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." — Hebrews 4:11 (KJV) Devotional Since the moment we were born, we have been bombarded with one message: work equals reward. From childhood, we are taught that effort leads to success, that we must earn our way, prove ourselves, and strive for what we want. Whether in school, sports, careers, or even relationships, the idea is the same—if you work hard enough, you will be accepted, rewarded, and secure. This mindset is so ingrained in us that when we hear Jesus say that faith is about rest, it can feel unnatural, even uncomfortable. Picture someone standing on a moving walkway at an airport. The walkway is designed to carry them forward effortlessly, yet instead of resting, they anxiously take off running, fearing that if they stop moving, they won’t reach their destination. But this is where the analogy isn’t quite perfect—because, as we learned on Day 3, even a little effort can ruin faith entirely. In this example, the moment they start running, the walkway stops moving altogether. Their effort isn’t just unnecessary; it’s actually working against them, preventing them from reaching their destination. This is exactly what happens when we try to mix works with faith. The finished works of Jesus Christ has already earned everything for us, but the moment we begin striving—thinking we must "help" Him fulfill His promises—faith ceases to function. Instead of being carried forward by grace, we end up exhausting ourselves, not realizing that true faith is about complete rest, not partial trust. This is why Hebrews 4:11 tells us to labour to enter into rest. It sounds like a contradiction—how can you work to rest? But what the verse really means is that resting in faith requires intentional effort because it goes against everything we have been taught. Our flesh wants to take control. It wants to feel like it contributed something. It wants to “help” God. But true faith requires us to do the hardest thing of all—let go of our own effort without letting go of expectations. Resting in faith means shifting our confidence from ourselves to the finished works of Jesus Christ. It means standing on His promises instead of trying to make things happen through effort. When we do this, we stop striving, stop stressing, and stop feeling like we have to “deserve” what has already been freely given. Day 5 Final Thoughts Key Thought: Faith is learning to let go of effort without letting go of expectations. Action Step: Take a moment to think about what it means to let go of effort without letting go of expectations. Most people, if they release effort, also release expectations. But if we have faith in Jesus, we base expectations on his effort, not ours. Today's Prayer: Father, help me to enter into the rest and find the strength through the Holy Spirit to let go of my own works but keep my expectations of seeing your blessings in my life thanks to the work of Jesus my savior. Day 6: The Power in Faith Scripture: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." — John 15:5 (KJV) Devotional Many people think faith is about trying harder—working to produce results, striving to be more spiritual, or pushing themselves to live righteously. But Jesus taught something completely different. He said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches." A branch doesn’t struggle to produce fruit; it simply stays connected to the vine, and life flows through it. Its only job is to remain in the source, and when it does, fruit comes naturally. This is how faith works. It’s not about forcing ourselves to do better; it’s about abiding in Christ and allowing His power to flow through us. He is our source, and the power that flows through him to us is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to bring us abundant life in every area of our life. Imagine a lamp plugged into an electrical outlet. The lamp doesn’t generate power; it only receives power from the source. If it becomes unplugged, no amount of effort will make it shine. It can be the best-designed lamp in the world, but without power, it’s useless. This is why Jesus said, "Without me ye can do nothing." The moment we disconnect from Him—by relying on our own strength instead of His—we cut off the very power that enables us to live the life He calls us to. This is why learning to let go of our own effort while still expecting results is one of the hardest lessons in faith. We’re so conditioned to think that results come from working harder, but in God’s kingdom, power comes from abiding in Jesus, not striving. When we stay connected to Christ, the Holy Spirit naturally produces fruit in our lives—peace, wisdom, strength, and provision. We don’t have to force anything because His power flows effortlessly through us. Day 6 Final Thoughts Key Thought: How ridiculous would it be for a branch to try and work to get supply from the vine? Action Step: Meditate and focus on the fact that in the Spirit, you are already connected to the vine, and that from that vine comes the Holy Spirit, who can also impact your physical realm. Today's Prayer: Lord, I choose to rest and be connected to the vine. Let Your Spirit flow through me, giving me both the will and the strength to walk in faith. Day 7: The Full Picture Scripture: "The Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." — Romans 8:11 (KJV) Devotional It’s easy to hear phrases like "Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches," or "We can rest and receive His power," and think of them as just religious clichés. The truth is, the Holy Spirit is here to bring you power in your flesh. But power to do what? Power for what purpose? Jesus didn’t just die on the cross so we could one day go to heaven—He died so we could live an abundant life here and now. When we accept Him as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes into our spirit and makes us righteous. This is what guarantees our place in heaven, but what about life on earth? The same Holy Spirit, who is a free gift because of what Christ has done, isn’t just present to secure eternity. He is here, right now, to quicken our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). That means His power isn’t just for our spirit—it’s available to transform every part of our earthly lives: our health, our mind, our finances, our relationships, and our purpose. If you have confessed Jesus as your Lord and savior, then the power is already flowing. The fountain is already on. But how do we get it to manifest in our flesh? We get it by resting, and not by working. And because we have been cultured since birth to work for everything we get, learning to rest takes practice. We must "labor to rest" as Paul says, because the Kingdom of Heaven does not work as the world works. The Holy Spirit is not made to respond to our good works. Throughout this 7-day guide, we’ve looked at Bible verses about faith with explanation to see how faith isn’t about striving—it’s about yielding to God’s power in every area of life. I want to finish with some of the phrases that Paul used in many of his writings in the New Testament. I hope you can hear, in his words, how he is putting faith not in himself, but in the power of God and the finished works of Jesus Christ: Galatians 2:20 (KJV) – "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." 2 Corinthians 12:10 (KJV) – "For when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 3:5 (KJV) – "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God." Galatians 3:2 (KJV) – "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" Romans 4:4-5 (KJV) – "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Hebrews 4:10 (KJV) – "For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his." Philippians 2:13 (KJV) – "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Romans 11:6 (KJV) – "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." 1 Corinthians 15:10 (KJV) – "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." Day 7 Final Thoughts Key Thought: Faith isn't about complication, it is about simplification. Resting in the work of Jesus Christ, that has already been finished. Action Step: Find time during the week to sit down and simply rest and know in your heart that the Holy Spirit is flowing into your life because you are connected to Jesus Christ, our vine. Today's Prayer: Lord, I don't want faith to feel complicated. I choose to rest and receive, and remain steadfast in faith that if I do not mix in any of my own effort, and rest fully in Christ, your love for me will supply all my needs.