What is faith?
What is faith?
Hebrews 11:1
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Romans 4:3, 19-24
3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
....
19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,
Acts 8:35-37
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Romans 10:8-13
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”(that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
It seems to me (based on the above scripture), faith is believing God. I agree with Peter, that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God yet doubt of my salvation creeps into my heart. Did I do everything the right way, I don't feel like I'm living a Spirit filled, Spirit controlled life. God seems distant, I seem to struggle with the same problems with little victory. I know I would be a better husband and especially father to my children if I only loved God more but how, how do I increase my faith in and love for God?
Mark 9:22-24
22 ... But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
Dear Lord, I believe, please help my unbelief!
posted by Just Kurios @ 11:20 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Hey man, I enjoy your posts. Sorry to hear about your wife's grandmother.
Ben
Thanks Ben.
Often Faith is described as a muscle, that is strengthened by use etc. That is a fair analogy, but it is also misleading in one sense.
We often think of faith as something that we generate or are able to generate. That is, we grit our teeth and clench our fists and try with all our hearts to introduce a greater sincerity and genuine trust of God into our heart.
If we are honest with ourselves we will see that this doesn't work, and has never worked. Can I make myself believe that red is blue? Of course not - my intellect will always know that blue is blue and red is red. Faith isn't the ability to make myself believe something with greater zeal.
Scripture says that faith comes by hearing the what Christ had to say. Scripture says that every word that was ever recorded as scripture was inspired by Christ (including the old testament). That means that every word in the bible was inspired by Christ and as we become familiar with the words of Christ so to we will receive greater faith.
But that doesn't answer the question "what is faith?" - that just tells us how to get more faith.
Faith is best explained through example.
Imagine that there are two bridges over a great chasm - a chasm so deep and so dangerous that to fall into it would be certain death. One bridge is constructed of solid concrete and is 400 feet wide - its feet go right down to the chasm floor, and even if a tidal wave hit it, it wouldn't budge.
Imagine also that there is a very old rope that stretches across the canyon as well. The rope is all frayed and rotten and thread bare in some places.
Now a man wants to cross the chasm and goes to the rope, and examining it, refuses to attempt crossing the chasm on that rope. He is afraid it will break, or that he will not be able to climb across etc.
The same man however walks confidently across the 400 foot wide bridge. He doesn't imagine for a second that the bridge will crumble beneath him - it is concrete. He doesn't worry about falling over the side - it is 400 feet wide and he is walking down the center. He doesn't worry if the wind blows or if he grows tired - he will make it to the other side because the bridge is solid as a rock.
Do we look at the man as he is on the concrete bridge and marvel at his faith? Look at that! He is not afraid - what a great trust he must have! No. We don't. Why not. Because there is nothing exceptional about trusting a bridge that is so obviously sound.
Faith is related to the character of the thing we have faith in. I trust my wife to care for my children, but I don't trust a stranger. It isn't that I lack "faith" - it is that I lack faith in the character of a stranger. I have perfect confidence in my wife because I know my wife.
The error some people make is they imagine that faith is something you generate yourself - as though it were possible to simply "believe more" - This happens when we confuse "belief" with "trust."
I believe that it is possible for a stranger to watch my children without harm coming to them - but I don't trust a stranger to watch them. My trust doesn't depend on me - that if I were a better Christian I would be more trusting of strangers. My trust depends on the character of the person I am trusting and how well I know that person.
Therefore faith isn't some quality that we possess. It is a trust that we get that is strengthened in two ways - by a knowledge of the character of that person in whom we are trusting (God in this case) and by knowing the person whom we are trusting personally.
That is why scripture says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Anyone who lacks faith does so because they don't know God very well. The cure isn't found in begging for more faith - it is found in seeking God through the reading of the word and through fellowship with God by obeying the Spirit instead of the Flesh.
For His glory!
Daniel
Daniel, thanks for your input. I realize I need to be more deliberate in my Bible study and prayer time. Thanks for taking the time to post your comments.
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