God has a lot to say about having faith in him. “Without faith, it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) “For it is by grace you have been saved; through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) “For in the gospel, a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written; “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17) “Now these three remain; faith, hope, and love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Jesus often commended faith. When Jesus saw the faith (of the men who lowered their paralytic friend in front of Jesus) he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5) When a woman reached out to touch Jesus’ cloak to be healed “he said to her, “Daughter, our faith has healed you. God in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34) When a blind man began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus said to him “Go your faith has healed you.” (Mark 10:47, 52)
All these align with the proverb in verse 14, “The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.” The future for all contains one judgment with two possible outcomes.” If I have faith in God which is similar to the faith of the people Jesus commended, I will be rewarded. If I do not have faith in God such as they I will be condemned and punished.
