Thursday, August 21, 2008

WHAT IS FAITH?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
(Heb:11:1)

The Oxford dictionary defines faith as: ‘reliance or trust in a person.’

The Bible definition of faith is more meaningful. It tells us that ‘faith is a substance;’ a spiritual substance which resides in a believer’s mind. Though faith is as invisible as thought, faith is infinitely more powerful than thought. Faith motivates thought, which in turn expresses itself in words or deeds (often called works).
The opposite of faith is doubt. Doubt is also a substance with enormous latent power. On the Day of Judgement a person’s faith or doubt will act as evidence for or against him/her. Allow me to expand on these two definitions with the help of Scripture.

Living Faith is Obedience
James 2:20: But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Heb.11:8: By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Living Faith is Honesty
Prov:14:5: A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

Living Faith is Reliability
Prov:25:13: As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

Living Faith is Humility
Prov:20:6: Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness:
but a faithful man who can find?

Living Faith is Fearlessness
Matt.8:26: And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

Living Faith is Power
Mark 11:21: And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22: And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23: For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

What does all this mean for us? Should we throw in our lot with the faithless; eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die? How should we behave?

The Saviour gives the answer. He also asks a question; a question only you can answer.
Mark 11:22: And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Luke 18:8:… when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Source: http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/sbs777/index.html

Posted by Zack at 12:00 AM