Belief in the Unseen
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see
Heb 11:1
Faith: confident belief or trust in the truth of a person, concept, or thing
In a world where we desire tangible or scientific proof to validate what we believe, why would we believe anything by Faith?
Many Things Require Faith
Whether we like it or not, faith is required for a lot of our daily activities. By stepping in a car you could be one of the 6 million people that get in an accident in a given year (in the U.S.). When deciding whether or not you are going to fly for your family vacation, you have to weigh if you are willing to trust the airplane making it to your destination point. Even going to sleep at night requires a level of faith, as we trust that we will awaken in the morning from our semi comatose state after hours of sleep.
Why Have Faith?
We probably initially have faith in these things due to necessity. It would be very hard to get from point A to point B, without a car; or fear every time you go to sleep that you wouldn’t wake up. Although, some people have been able to avoid airplanes, it is not most of our desires to travel hours in a car to a far away destination. After a while, we start to increase our faith in these things due to a proven track record. It makes it a little easier every day to go to sleep, when you know you have woken up every other day of your life. This coupled with the hope that what you believe is true, helps make those faith based decisions easier.
Why Jesus Christ?
We can look for all the alternatives, and refuse to have faith in Jesus Christ. Like everything in the United States it is so easy to be comfortable, and be content where we are at. No need to ruin a good thing. But honestly how good is it? Where is our hope, time, and energy taking us? If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, when you leave this earth you are going to Heaven. A place with no tears, no pain, no sorrow, and a God that loves us on a intimate and personal level. I have faith this is the truth, not only because I feel God’s peace even as I write these words, but also because of how faithful He has been to me on a personal level; as well as a historical level. Over 2000 prophecies in the Bible have been fulfilled. The probability of that would be 10 to the 2000 power. Many have been fulfilled years after they were originally prophesied. That is an awesome track record. He has given me a reason to trust him, and definitely a cause.
Faith Like a Mustard Seed
God says all we need is faith like an itty bitty mustard seed, and mountains will move. God will take care of the rest. He can handle it, even without our mustard seed contribution, but I think He wants us to put forth the initial faith so we realize our dependence upon Christ.
If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Matthew 17:20
With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.
Mark 10:27
Ask God
Even Christ’s apostles needed to humble themselves and ask for a faith increase. By our very nature we want to question, and doubt, not just God, but everything is under scrutiny and second guesses. It is hard for us to trust the things we can see, let alone the things we cannot.
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
Luke 17:5
Cultivate Your Faith
Increase your faith by reading your Bible, going to Bible study, church, and anywhere else that Christ is the focus. Don’t just brush through the pages of the Bible, but truly allow your mind to wrap around the idea that you are not just reading a story, you are reading historical accounts. Allow the pages to come to life. What must Noah have been thinking when God asked him to build an obnoxiously large boat? What might have been his thoughts and fears? I am sure He got ridiculed until the day it started to rain. These were people like you and me, who had the same trials when deciding if they were going to have faith in God, above what they could see with the naked eye.
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17
Live Your Faith
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
James 2:26
This is a charge for believers that if you believe what God says is truth, then start living it out. Your testimony won’t hold much merit if you say you believe one thing, but your actions are portraying a totally different view.
Heb 11:17-38 gives a beautiful illustration of those who have walked before us, who exercised their faith. They didn’t only talk the talk, they also walked the walk.
Take God at His Word
Don’t wait to touch the nail scars in Jesus’ hands. Take Thomas’ word for it!
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29
We live by faith, not by sight.
2 Cor 5:7
Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.
Helen Keller
References
Suggested Reading
- Hebrews 11