Faith: Just what is it and how important? Is all faith beneficial, or must there be some foundation of faith that gives it value or power?
The Bible beautifully defines faith for us in Heb 11:1-3: "Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. (2) It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God. (3) Because of our faith, we know that the world was made at God's command. We also know that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen." Please note: Verse 1 says faith "gives proof of what we cannot see," or, provides "an evident demonstration of realities not beheld." True faith that has value, then, must be based in reality; just as we know we can have faith in the wind which we can not see, because we can feel it on our face and see the leaves move under it's power. (Rom 1:20-23 ; Heb 3:4 ; Ps 14:1 ; Ps 53:1)
The Bible says something else about faith that should interest each of us: (Hebrews 11:6)"Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please [him] well, for he that approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him."
At the root of our faith, then, as the Bible defines it, must be the belief that God exists and that He is good (that he becomes the rewarder of those seeking him).(Heb 11:6) Creation itself testifies to God's existence and encourages faith. (Rom 1:20) It is Bible knowledge, however, that builds a foundation for faith that nothing else can provide. (Eph 4:13) The Bible lets us personally know our Creator's love and kindness. Having Bible knowledge that He wants to take care of us (Mat 23:37-39) and has the power to do so, (Isa 55:8-11) causes us to love him and to want to obey. God's Word encourages faith in all those who examine it in sincerity. Our faith then becomes a powerful tool God can use to accomplish great works in the lives of those looking for him (works that glorify God). (Mark 4:40 ; Mat 17:20 ; Mat 9:22) If you have never been a person "outstanding" in the eyes of this world, that has no real meaning. Fact is, God seems mostly inclined to use people more ordinary in the opinion of other men to accomplish his works. (John 6:41-42; Rom 5:6-8) It is through our faith He accomplishes good in us, as was the example with the faith of King David of old. Because of his great faith, it was David alone in all the nation who rose up to kill wicked Goliath.
Can we depend on just any faith we might contrive to be our protection? There are people, for example, who believe (have faith) they have lucky underwear, or sox, or a lucky hat. Will faith in those things help anyone? Of course not. Faith that can help must be based in knowledge of our Grand Creator, and gained through his word the Bible. (Rom 10:16-18) Faith in what is real then becomes just as correspondingly powerful in us as that scriptural definition of faith has become real to us! For example: If we are standing on the edge of a cliff, none of us will step out onto the air. Why not?
Because we each and every one have absolute and unquestioning faith in gravity. We can't see it or touch it, but we know it's there by the evidence of it's existence. We should be even more sure of God's existence and of his activity to help us! Only Bible knowledge can help us build and maintain a faith that can help. Any real hope we have, then, is tied closely to our faith. To develop and have a hope that is real, our faith must be "the assured expectation of things hoped for." Do you truly believe God's kingdom by Christ is real? (Mat 6:9-10) Do you live in expectation that Christ's kingdom will accomplish God's will on earth? (2 Pet 3:13 ; Isa 11:6-10) One thing we want to be certain you understand: You can't really know Christ if you haven't spent time listening to him! I hope listening to me can help you want to listen to Christ. Just know, however, that's all I have to offer! You must actually read the Gospel teachings of Jesus. You can't truly believe Jesus's promises by listening to me tell you what he said. Become part of Christ's family (Mark 3:31-35) by listening to him; by actually reading his words from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.
Do you, then, as the foundation of your faith, believe God exists and that he is good? Do you truly believe he becomes the rewarder of those who seek him out? (Heb 11:6) Do you, day in and day out, believe in all the promises of God? If you do, your faith and your hope are most certainly based on your knowledge of the Bible: [Rom 10:11-15 - Modern World Translation] (11) For the Scripture says, "Everyone believing on Him will not be put to shame." [Isa 28:16] (12) For there is no difference between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord of all is rich toward all the ones calling on Him. (13) For everyone, "whoever may call on the name of will be saved" ( יהוה is God's Hebrew personal name). [Joel 2:32] (14) How then will they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in One of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without someone to preach? (15) And how can they preach if they have not been sent? Even as it has been written, "How beautiful" ... are "the feet of those preaching the gospel of peace, of those preaching the gospel of good things." [See: Isa 52:7] If you find you do not truly and completely believe in Christ and his kingdom, you should spend time studying the Bible account of what Christ said and did to help strengthen your faith. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) The truth is, we must all work to guard and maintain our faith! (1 Cor 10:12) This whole world, including many who try to appear righteous, is working to undermine faith in what is true. (1 John 5:19-21; 2 Pet 3:3-4; Acts 20:29-30) Most religious people don't realize, but what they each one want you to have faith in is what ever religious sect they are part of. They are all sure you can be helped by learning in their church. Some even imagine that is the same as, or your only route to, faith in Christ. This old world system, including especially its religion, exerts constant pressure to control and harm your mind. (Mat 7:15; Acts 20:29-30; 1 John 5:19) (The only persons you can safely listen to are those who demonstrate they are Christians - and that by directing you to listen to Jesus for yourself. Even true Christians can't be trusted beyond their simple encouragement to listen to Christ; because none of them know what Jesus knows. And yes, that does include me!) The only way you can know you are safe in what you are learning is when you are listening to Christ himself, by reading his words. (John 8:32) Running your mind over what Christ said is the method we all must use to heal our thinking and to build faith. (Read: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John!)
If you are one who has not had much exposure to the Bible, you should evaluate it to see if it is reasonable to put faith in what it teaches. Remember as you do so: Jesus said the good news of the kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field, such that a man would sell all he owns to buy that field. (Mat 13:44) He was talking about the treasure contained in the Bible and available for all: The greatest possible treasure to mankind is faith in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
It is important to understand and remember: Having faith is not the same as having knowledge. Even wicked religious leaders have some knowledge. They just believe they can outsmart justice and don't need to follow Christ. They follow their own doctrine always seeking selfish gain. (Mark 7:7-9) Our Father יהוה actually addressed modern religious leaders (and more specifically false Christian leaders) through the words He spoke to the corrupt religious clergy among his Jewish nation of old. (Isa 28:14-19) People who proclaim they are Christians while they are really following the doctrines of men are doomed, (Mark 7:7-9) just like those frauds among God's ancient servants as spoken to by Isaiah above.
God's ancient servants of old, who lived under the Mosaic Law, had an approach to God through obedience to that law. But, they were unawares awaiting a future (and better) time when they would approach God through personal faith in Christ. (Heb 7:18-19; John 4:19-26) [While they didn't fully understand at the time, that was their lot in life none the less. They were serving their part in God's 7000 year purpose to bring salvation to mankind through Jesus Christ. Those who lived before Christ will, of course, be resurrected soon! [John 11:23-24] They will then have their opportunity to express faith in Christ.) We have arrived at the time those ancient servants of God awaited: Today we live by faith in Christ. As Paul said to the Galatians in Chapter 3, verses 23-25: ... However, before the faith arrived, we were being guarded under law, being delivered up together into custody, looking to the faith that was destined to be revealed. 24 Consequently the Law has become our tutor leading to Christ, that we might be declared righteous due to faith. 25 But now that the faith has arrived, we are no longer under a tutor. . .
And again in Gal 5:5-6: . . .For our part we by spirit are eagerly waiting for the hoped-for righteousness as a result of faith. 6 For as regards Christ Jesus neither circumcision is of any value nor is uncircumcision (being a Jew or a Gentile), but faith operating through love [is].
When this present period of faith ends, being brought to an end with the arrival of the reality of God's promises, we will no longer need hope or faith. What we today hope for will then be reality, and faith and hope in the kingdom will no longer be necessary: (Rom 8:24-25) "For we were saved in [this] hope; but hope that is seen is not hope, for when a man sees a thing, does he hope for it? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we keep on waiting for it with endurance." So, we wait and hope. . . Come quickly lord Jesus! (Rev 22:20)
Today, then, while we witness the benefits of the kingdom becoming this world's reality, we continue to live in hope based on faith. The period of history surrounding our lives is the day of salvation and the revelation of Christ. We have a wonderful opportunity to develop and express love through faith as we become witness to God's deliverance. (Mat 24:37-39) Building faith in truth is the one work we can always know is in harmony with God's will and timetable. (John 6:28-29) As we continue listening to Christ so as to build faith, awareness and understanding that what we individually have is faith, and that we don't have full knowledge, can be a protection: It should safeguard us against becoming judgmental of others. (Rom 14:3-4, Rom 2:1-2; 1 Cor 4:1-5) We must understand our personal faith is being worked out, or developed, through our power of reason. (Rom 12:1) We should also realize our faith is based on our own current understanding of the Bible. Any sensible Christian will admit they know more about the Bible today than in the past, and that additional knowledge, over time, has increased and adjusted their faith. In looking forward to what we are becoming, none of us know what we don't yet know! (The only true faith, or the only faith that can really benefit us, must be based on the truth of the Bible.) Having a reasonable understanding of faith along with realizing what we have is faith and not knowledge, and that our faith is being worked out over time through our imperfect power of reason, should help us avoid being judgmental. We are all growing! To his own master each one stands of falls. (Rom 14:4) The Bible provides knowledge to build faith, but not to judge the faith of others. (James 4:11-12 ; Rom 14:10-13) We must realize: We are each being afforded the opportunity to learn what the Bible teaches, and then, we must do our best to be obedient to Christ's words. We should use every opportunity to share Bible knowledge with others. Telling others about the truth we learn from the Bible is a demonstration of love, and provides witness that our faith is real. (1 Cor 12:27-13:13) If we believe the Bible's teachings are "truth," and if we have love for God and neighbor, how could we not tell them about what we learn? We are compelled to help everyone know and understand: (Luke 10:27) "Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not [yet] beheld." (Heb 11:1-3)Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom. For your hope (based in faith) to be realized, it will help to be familiar with the relationship between five common terms:1. Knowledge, 2. Understanding, 3. Wisdom, 4. Ignorance, and 5. Stupidity. We all start being born in ignorance. Ignorance is really nothing. Ignorance simple means we have not acquired or been exposed to knowledge so as to gain understanding. So... The first thing we must attain is knowledge. Our first knowledge is usually the knowledge of God we gain from what we see in creation. (Rom 1:20) That should be enough to set us on a path seeking God. (2 Chron 16:9) We then find knowledge of the hope of eternal life fully explained in the Bible. (Psa 33:4-6; John 17:3) After you have true knowledge (from Bible study, and possibly from talking about what you have learned with others), you can start to gain some understanding of the knowledge you have acquired. With both knowledge and understanding, you have opportunity to become wise. You become wise by using your understanding to benefit yourself or others: Wisdom is the manifestation of knowledge and understanding as action. There is an old illustration that seems apt: A man is standing on a railroad track. In the distance he sees (and thereby gains knowledge) a train is coming toward him on the track. He gains understanding when he realizes the train will cause him harm if he remains where he is. With that realization, the man has reached a point where he has both knowledge and understanding. The man displays wisdom when he steps off the track. If he remains on the track, after gaining both knowledge and understanding, he is no longer ignorant of the danger he is in. By remaining on the track, he changes from being ignorant to being stupid, as he forfeits his life in demonstrating he doesn't really care about anything. The opposite of wisdom, then, is stupidity! Before knowledge or understanding, a person is ignorant. After both knowledge and understanding are gained, ignorance disappears. What is left is either wisdom or stupidity. A chance to step off the tracks is the gift God is giving each and every one of us. We accept his gift of life by our expression of wisdom through faith in his son Christ Jesus. (John 17:3 ; John 12:48 ; Pro 30:4 ; John 7:16-17) Wisdom manifests itself in (or as) the wise use or application of knowledge. In the case of us all, if we have wisdom, it presents as love for our God and for others. (Luke_10:25-28 ; 1_John_4:20) People who choose to become stupid are without love. They are wicked people. (Proverbs 13:19-20)
Christ Jesus and his teachings provide the knowledge required to gain life. (John 17:3) If you meditate on what you learn from the Bible, you will gain an understanding of what those teachings can mean for you. As you express faith in Christ through obedience, (1 John 5:3) by lovingly sharing what you learn about him with others, (Acts 4:19-20 ; Acts 2:17) you demonstrate wisdom which means life. Some will assert that is wrong, as that would mean we are earning our salvation. It is not wrong! Life is a gift from our Heavenly Father which we accept through faith in his son. Showing love for others is the simple demonstration that true faith resides in us. (James 2:18-23 ; James 2:18-26) Love is the mark in our forehead that the angels see, and that will protect us from destruction. (Eze 9:2-6) Building faith through obedience (1 John 5:3-4) is how we first decide for ourselves, and how we then let יהוה know, who we really are in the secret person of our heart. That demonstration of our faith is how we become 's friends; as was Abraham of old. (James 2:18-23) Though the truth about Christ Jesus seems a fairy tale or foolishness to some people, (1 Cor 1:18) the simple fact about it is this: We are all becoming wise people of faith, or we are becoming stupid persons. There is no middle ground. (Ecc 8:8) These are the last days and the darkness of ignorance is being melted away into the light of Bible truth. (Mat 4:15-17) Everyone is being left without excuse. (John 15:22) May we all make the wise choice! (Deu 30:19-20) May we all step off the train tracks by simply learning and being obedient to the teachings of Christ. (Read: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John!)
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At the root of our faith, then, as the Bible defines it, must be the belief that God exists and that He is good (that he becomes the rewarder of those seeking him). (Heb 11:6) Creation itself testifies to God's existence and encourages faith. (Rom 1:20) It is Bible knowledge, however, that builds a foundation for faith that nothing else can provide. (Eph 4:13) The Bible lets us personally know our Creator's love and kindness. Having Bible knowledge that He wants to take care of us (Mat 23:37-39) and has the power to do so, (Isa 55:8-11) causes us to love him and to want to obey. God's Word encourages faith in all those who examine it in sincerity. Our faith then becomes a powerful tool God can use to accomplish great works in the lives of those looking for him (works that glorify God). (Mark 4:40 ; Mat 17:20 ; Mat 9:22) If you have never been a person "outstanding" in the eyes of this world, that has no real meaning. Fact is, God seems mostly inclined to use people more ordinary in the opinion of other men to accomplish his works. (John 6:41-42; Rom 5:6-8) It is through our faith He accomplishes good in us, as was the example with the faith of King David of old. Because of his great faith, it was David alone in all the nation who rose up to kill wicked Goliath.
Can we depend on just any faith we might contrive to be our protection? There are people, for example, who believe (have faith) they have lucky underwear, or sox, or a lucky hat. Will faith in those things help anyone? Of course not. Faith that can help must be based in knowledge of our Grand Creator, and gained through his word the Bible. (Rom 10:16-18) Faith in what is real then becomes just as correspondingly powerful in us as that scriptural definition of faith has become real to us! For example: If we are standing on the edge of a cliff, none of us will step out onto the air. Why not?
Because we each and every one have absolute and unquestioning faith in gravity. We can't see it or touch it, but we know it's there by the evidence of it's existence. We should be even more sure of God's existence and of his activity to help us! Only Bible knowledge can help us build and maintain a faith that can help. Any real hope we have, then, is tied closely to our faith. To develop and have a hope that is real, our faith must be "the assured expectation of things hoped for." Do you truly believe God's kingdom by Christ is real? (Mat 6:9-10) Do you live in expectation that Christ's kingdom will accomplish God's will on earth? (2 Pet 3:13 ; Isa 11:6-10) One thing we want to be certain you understand: You can't really know Christ if you haven't spent time listening to him! I hope listening to me can help you want to listen to Christ. Just know, however, that's all I have to offer! You must actually read the Gospel teachings of Jesus. You can't truly believe Jesus's promises by listening to me tell you what he said. Become part of Christ's family (Mark 3:31-35) by listening to him; by actually reading his words from Matthew, Mark, Luke or John.
Do you, then, as the foundation of your faith, believe God exists and that he is good? Do you truly believe he becomes the rewarder of those who seek him out? (Heb 11:6) Do you, day in and day out, believe in all the promises of God? If you do, your faith and your hope are most certainly based on your knowledge of the Bible: [Rom 10:11-15 - Modern World Translation] (11) For the Scripture says, "Everyone believing on Him will not be put to shame." [Isa 28:16] (12) For there is no difference between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord of all is rich toward all the ones calling on Him. (13) For everyone, "whoever may call on the name of will be saved" ( יהוה is God's Hebrew personal name). [Joel 2:32] (14) How then will they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in One of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without someone to preach? (15) And how can they preach if they have not been sent? Even as it has been written, "How beautiful" ... are "the feet of those preaching the gospel of peace, of those preaching the gospel of good things." [See: Isa 52:7] If you find you do not truly and completely believe in Christ and his kingdom, you should spend time studying the Bible account of what Christ said and did to help strengthen your faith. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) The truth is, we must all work to guard and maintain our faith! (1 Cor 10:12) This whole world, including many who try to appear righteous, is working to undermine faith in what is true. (1 John 5:19-21; 2 Pet 3:3-4; Acts 20:29-30) Most religious people don't realize, but what they each one want you to have faith in is what ever religious sect they are part of. They are all sure you can be helped by learning in their church. Some even imagine that is the same as, or your only route to, faith in Christ. This old world system,