faith in its realness

A simple google search reveals that faith is mentioned in the bible 422. It must be something of great importance. I believe the verse that resonates with most is "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
I was in a recent bible study which dove back into some faith basics. There were three basic principles that I have learned.

1. Just like one's attitude reflects his inner spiritual maturity, so does one's faith. The key is righteousness -the righteous shall live be faith. So first righteousness must be attained and then the acting of faith will follow.

2. All to many are nudged by God to do something for someone or something. At first we motivated by the desire honor God. Most of the time, God asks us to do something we don't want to do and almost always do we back out. Somewhere down the line things becomes difficult. Selfishness and worldly desires come back into the worldview and we are caught up between God's will and our own. Faith is continuing to push through all that and keep the mindset and view that God had originally set before us.

3. We have to expect that God will reward us in someway or another. Everything we do has a gift or treasure or harvest. We must believe that God will come through for us.