First, let’s define the terms.

What is faith? In this context, faith is believing in the existence of God. It also includes the belief that God created mankind and that man is accountable to him. The biblical account, as documented in Genesis chapter 1, shows that God created the heavens and the earth. There is a scientific theory about the creation of the universe but the theory admits hesitantly that the universe had a beginning. It also hesitates to admit that God began it. Unwittingly, this theory lends credence to the existence of God rather than disprove him. It shows that there must be a cause for everything that has a beginning and so far the universe has a beginning, there must be a cause. Whatever or whoever caused the universe must not be something created and must be more powerful than the universe that emerged. Only God fits into that mold. What is more, all the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) believe that God created the world. 

Although, Christianity is identified as a religion, that appellation or label does not seem to agree with the mindset and goals of Jesus Christ who is the author of what is perceived as the religion of Christianity today. As seen in the Bible, Jesus came to save mankind from their sins and not to create another religion. There was already a religion at the time and God found it inadequate. So, he came to reconcile man back to God through faith in him, not to create another religion. If there is any name that we can call what Jesus came to do, it is eternal life or you can also call it. “Life in Christ Jesus” For a reference, see Romans 10:9-10, Romans 8:1; John 3:16. It was not until its departure that his disciples were first called Christians in Antioch, because they behaved like Christ. Acts 11:26. It is in a man’s nature to label things. Jesus, the entire time he was here, did not name his “group”. He came to show us he had the power to forgive sins.

On the other hand, Atheism is disbelief in the existence of God or gods. There's another idea closely related to that which is neither faith nor disbelief in God - Agnosticism. There is yet another disposition towards God which is even more pervasive in our modern society. It manifests like:  “God may exist but I don't care. I’d do what works for me.” This disposition makes “the self” the object of worship - just do what pleases you. All of them can actually be categorized as simply unbelief in the person of God. While Faith produces a sense of responsibility towards God, atheism, agnosticism or self ideology do not, it promotes self and personal pleasure.

Importance and roles of faith in shaping our lives.

Faith helps us answer the question of identity and source. Through faith in God, we know we are made in the image of God and that we are loved. Gen 1:27; Acts 10:34-35; Jer 1:1-5. Rev 7:9. When a man is convinced of this, it will inform the way he relates with others. Without identity settled, one will lose one’s bearing in life. The fellow will wander through life and not know any tangible meaning of their life. People who struggle with identity know how hard that can be and while someone in the faith can battle identity issues in some context, there is availability of help in the word of God to provide clarity but I do not see how someone who has chosen to live in unbelief has been able to get a definite and long-lasting help.

Faith in God helps us to see our shared humanity - the beauty you see in yourself, you see in others. You see another as another of God’s masterpieces. Ephesians 2:10. Our faith helps us to embrace the culture of love because you understand God is love and he who does not abide in love abides in death. I have often said racism is another alternative word for hatred.

Faith helps one to live responsibly, rather than being a rollercoaster. It helps you to understand the future rather than live in uncertainty and fear. No matter how people try to pretend, everybody wants to have a sense of the future and how it looks. Faith helps you to prepare for it. Through faith in Jesus Christ, you understand your sins are forgiven and are able to extend forgiveness to those who hurt you as well. I recall the story of a Cambodian pastor who baptized a convert and later learnt the man was part of the killer squad who killed members of his family. He forgave the man and lived with it well. That is possible through the power of faith. One cannot find that power in unbelief.

Faith becomes your stay in the day of troubles and challenges. Those days will definitely come but your faith in Jesus will be your stay. The stamina and courage that faith will give you in the day of trouble, Atheism or self can never give you. Atheism will rob any man of the quality of life he should have lived. I have not seen unbelief or atheism bring healing or liberty to anyone. I haven’t seen any but I have seen faith bring healing to people.

Some still hold on to Karl Marx’ idea that religion is the opium of the masses suggesting that people subscribe to an idea of God because they are not strong enough to face life on their own. The proponents of this idea seem to trust in their wealth or possessions or human will as enough to deal with life. They try to suppress the idea of God and even though they have the witness of God in their conscience and all around them, until they are hit with a problem that defies solution. Suddenly, they realize that the rich also cry, and that more often than not, the poor man does better with his faith even in his poverty than the rich with his wealth. For instance, some of the things Africans survive because of their faith in God would have created emotional wrecks  in nations where people trust in their wealth and systems. This faith works and fortunately, there are aristocrats, nobles and politicians, in places where people trust their wealth and systems, who have now found out that it is wisdom to admit that there is God. 

One is never at loss making a choice to have faith.