5 What is Faith
The
dictionary definition for faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or
something. This points to a strong unshaken belief or credence in the
reliability, truth, or ability of that someone. In other words, it is a firmly
held sureness on the capabilities and abilities of the person in whom the trust
has been entrusted. It is also the unwavering acceptance that something or
someone is true.
The
bible says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. According to Strong’s lexicon, the Greek word
translated faith here is pistis (πίστις) which generally refers to the conviction
of the truth of anything or belief especially the persuasion or certainty in respect
of man's relationship with God and divine things. It points to the conviction
that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and
giver of eternal salvation through Christ. In that regard it is the strong and
welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain
eternal salvation in the kingdom of God.
This thus means that faith is not a blind acceptance of things or state
of affairs but is based on the trustworthiness of God’s reliability and ability
to control the affairs of man and of the universe. It is itself the evidence of
our belief. The same Hebrews 11:1 in the New Living Translation reads, “Faith
shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot
see.” It is what shows the demonstration of our anticipation or of that which
we hope for. It is because of this hope that the early Christians were prepared
to face persecution and die for Christ. The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore,
having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we
stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also
glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and
perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured
out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were
still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:1-6
It now makes sense when we read that faith is the substance because it
is not a mirage, fantasy or empty talk. When faith is referred to as
subsistence it follows that that it has actual existence and it is the courage,
firmness and steadfastness of mind with a tenacity that cannot be moved. That
is why the Lord assured us that a person with an iota of it can command a
mountain to move and the mountain will comply. Because of this, the writer of
the book of Hebrews firmly stated that faith is in itself “the evidence of things
not seen.” Let it be known to you that evidence is proof and proof means that
something has been verified or tested. Faith therefore puts things to the test
and proves them. Things that are not seen have been proven by faith hence faith
is not blinkered naivety but a firm belief with the predominate idea of trust
in God and in Christ which springs from the influence of Christ and of God.
Because
of this confidence, Shadreck, Misheck and Abednego were not afraid of
Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace. Daniel, when cast into the den of hungry lions,
stopped the mouths of the lions. They managed this because faith is not naivety
but evidence. When confronted by Elijah, the prophets of Baal wounded
themselves but got nothing done because they were gullible and were not in
possession of the faith of God. On the contrary, Elijah who had the conviction and
persuasion or certainty that God exists proved God’s existence by ordering fire
from the sky. In short, faith demonstrates whilst naivety or gullibility has
nothing to show just like the apostle James stated in James 2:18-20.
Faith is
not just talk but it is action. Faith is the expression of the deep seated
conviction of our hearts. It is a firm and unshakable trust in God. True faith
relies fully on God whilst false faith believes in one’s own faith. True faith
depends on God. It says if God is not involved in our affairs we are doomed. Faith
in that regard is reliance on God and no one else.
No comments:
Post a Comment