What is the belief that constitutes faith?
The belief that constitutes faith is taking God at His Word—believing what He has said, specifically that Christ died and rose again. It is not works of the Law; it comes by hearing, and God recognizes that belief and acts on its basis.
Les explains that faith is taking God at His Word: God said it, we believe it, and God recognizes it. There is no work whatsoever in hearing; that is how faith comes. We contemplate and recognize that Christ died, rose from the dead, and we believe it. By believing, we are listening to the Word of God. On the basis of that belief, God moves in and does everything that needs to be done. This is by faith, not the works of the Law, which are fleshly, weak, and beggarly. The Spirit is received by the hearing of faith, not by the works of the Law.