Faith has varying definitions but here are two taken from the dictionary. The first is a simple definition of the word and the second ushers in the spiritual aspect:
1. Confidence or Trust in a person or thing.
2. Belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion.
Those definitions are from the dictionary about what the word means. But what is faith to you personally?
The Holy Bible gives us this definition: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1. Following this explanation of what faith is, the entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews goes on to become a treatise on faith, giving real life examples of what is accomplished when it is put into practice ... as belief in the God of the Bible. Verse 6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
So now we have a definition. What do we do with it? The eleventh chapter of Hebrews tells us what many who came before us did with it and what they accomplished. What do you want to accomplish? Whatever your goals, it is certain that if you are relying on God to guide you in them and help you achieve them, you must have faith in Him.
It is important to grasp the concept that faith is NOT blind. Faith is believing that which we cannot see, but it is based on what we know; therefore it is not blind, but definitely focused. Just because what we believe cannot be seen with our eyes, it does not mean it is not real. You cannot see the wind, but you know it is real because you see the effects of it on objects around you. You cannot see air, but you breathe it. Not believing in air, or the wind, would not change the fact of their existence. Friedrich Nietzsche said, " A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything." He was stating that just because you believe something, that belief alone does not make it true. He is right. But Christians do not place our faith in what we cannot prove. The God of the Bible has been proven over and over and over again. Nietzsche was observing misplaced faith; Christians place their faith in the God of eternity.
Jesus said, "Have faith in God." Mark 11:22.
In Faith's Confession Roy Hicks, Sr. said, "Faith that speaks is first faith that seeks. The Almighty One is the Source and Grounds of our faith and being. Faith only flows to Him because of the faithfulness that flows from Him. Faith is not a trick performed with our lips, but a spoken expression that springs from the conviction of our hearts."
The concept of faith is simple, but the execution of true faith is not easy. It requires courage and conviction of what we believe.
In the eleventh chapter of the book of Mark after Jesus instructed us to "Have faith in God," he went on to tell us that if we tell a mountain to be removed and cast into the sea and we do not doubt in our heart, but believe that the things we say will be done, we will have whatever we say. Then Jesus summarized in Mark 11:24, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when your pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."
We must pray and we must believe, but we must pray according to God's will and not our own or we ask amiss ... God will not answer prayers that are contrary to His will, and we should not want Him to.
Someone said, "Faith can move mountains, but don't be surprised if God hands you a shovel." Faith is believing and when we believe, we must act. We pray, we believe, and we act, putting things in motion. I encourage you today to be read the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews and see what mighty things can be done by exercising our faith.
Pray, believe and do. You will see your prayers answered.
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death." Author Unknown
And finally, be confident in whom you believe. Our faith is founded on the Father God and His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus told us, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
Faith and peace walk hand-in-hand.
Shalom.
No comments:
Post a Comment