Faith???

What is faith?  How do we “live by faith”?  How does our faith grow?  How much faith do I need?  What puts action to our faith?

First … let’s go to the Word.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

What these verses do NOT say is faith is believing in something for which I have no proof.  I believe this is KEY to our understanding of faith because this creates a difference between blind faith and biblical faith.

Romans 1:18 – 20 (ESV)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

God’s creation speaks clearly for the existence of God.  Those who argue that the world as it exists today is all a matter of chance are represented clearly in verse 18 above when it states “who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.“  From these verses alone we can see that “the proof is in the pudding.”  Look around you!  Just study a tree or a flower … consider the make-up of the human body.  All of these things are evidence for the existence of a Creator.  You may say this isn’t good evidence.  My only reply back to you is that if God considers it good enough evidence (as we see He does in the verses above), then, I consider it good enough evidence.

And if you take the time to read Josh McDowell’s Evidence That Demands A Verdict  you will soon discover that there is more credible evidence for the existence of Jesus and for Him rising from the dead than there is for Napoleon or anything that he did.

Faith is not blind, nor is it stupid.  But it is necessary.  Because whether we like it or not, there are just some things that God has not allowed us to know or to prove.

For example – creation!  Do you know any one who was there?  Is there any scientific method that can show us that God said it and it happened.  Answer is no.  But by FAITH, we believe His Word.  And His Word said He spoke it into existence … so, we accept that by faith.

Hebrews 11:3 (ESV)
By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Faith is also essential in order to become a Christian.  We must believe that we are sinners.  We must believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins.  We must believe that his rising from the dead after being buried for 3 days was His victory over spiritual death.  We must believe that He is alive at this moment!  All of this takes faith.

Ephesians 2:8 – 9 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

There may be a few answers as to WHY faith is required to be saved … but for me, understanding that God wants us to completely depend upon Him for our salvation “so that no one may boast” is an ample enough answer for me.

Now … how is faith lived out in our lives?  How do we demonstrate faith in God in our daily walk?

We have 2 great examples for what enables faith within our own lives.  There’s a lot of scripture below, but it is well worth the read:

Mark 5:21 – 42 (ESV)
And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

Did you see it?  Both of these people, the woman with the bleeding issues (name not mentioned) – the outcast - and the leader named Jairus – the prominent one … both came to Jesus seeking healing.  They both had much at stake.  They were both suffering personally in their own lives.  They demonstrated faith by coming.  What drew them to want to demonstrate this faith?  This may seem rough … so read this out … but selfishness.  When all options have been exhausted, when there is no other way … we come to Jesus.  Is this bad?  I say DEFINITELY NOT!!!  After all, they both received what they were seeking.  But is it the best?

Let’s look at another scripture before I attempt to answer this one.

Matthew 8:5 – 13 (ESV)
When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

What I see here as opposed to the other stories is a firm belief that Jesus could heal even before the Centurion asked.  Above, we see Jairus hoping that Jesus can heal his daughter.  We see the woman who was bleeding reach for the robe in the hopes that His power could make her well.  It’s also important to notice what they had in common.  They all CAME to Jesus!

Faith is a matter of the heart.  Whether we demonstrate faith daily in our lives before the last result or if we live out our faith as a last result, that faith must be fully realized in our hearts.  We can’t reason our way into faith?  We can’t explain what that faith is?  We must simply believe that God is who He claims to be, that He can accomplish what He claims He can accomplish, and that He is faithful to hear our prayers.

So, although there is actual proof for the man named Jesus and the things that He did in the Bible … although the creation around us is proof for the existence of God … faith is crucial in coming to Christ and in daily walking with Christ.

And the number one reason that we want to live by faith …

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

If I’ve left you wondering what faith is or how to grow your faith … that can be a good thing.  Read your Bible and find the answer.  Let me know what you think the answer is.

But I will end with this … I believe faith is grown little by little as we obey Christ in what He has called us to do on a daily basis.

Go with God,
Donald B