What is Faith?
(Hebrews 3:6 NASB) “…Christ was faithful as a son over His house, whose house we are if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope, firm until the end.”
(Hebrews 11:1 NASB) “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
In those two verses, we are admonished to hold fast to our hope, recognizing that our expectation embodies an unwavering assurance. Although we may not presently perceive the outcome of our faith, we possess unshakable conviction that it will transpire.
What faith is not
Humans employ metaphors to describe abstract concepts, raising questions about their veracity and reliability. Frequently, individuals express their faith as a personal conviction they hold dear, viewing it as a source of security and a means of gaining entry into heaven. They equate their faith with their actions, asserting that their behavior embodies the fruit of the Spirit. In response to these observations, I have composed this succinct essay to elucidate the misconceptions of faith.
Reading (James 1:2-3 NASB), the text is more personal since James is writing to his disciples. For example, the NASB reads, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.“
James suggests that faith depends on an individual’s capacity to endure hardship through various trials. I do not concur with this notion, as evidenced by Paul’s teachings in (Romans 12:3 NASB) “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”
In (1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB) we read, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
In the verse above, does Paul address “your” capacity to withstand temptation, or does he proclaim that God will assist in helping you overcome those temptations? Furthermore, does this imply a collaborative effort with the portion of faith Paul discussed in Romans? At the same time, God intervenes in situations beyond your faith’s capacity to endure. So, with that thought, just what is faith to you? Do you have a personal faith that supersedes the portion God allotted? Or could our notion of “faith” be more akin to loyalty?
In Romans 12:3, Paul asserts that faith is allotted to each per God’s divine assignment. This raises the question of whether personal faith in the Lord is possible or if Paul refers to a faith specifically required for each individual’s unique spiritual gift. One thing is sure: our faith is not contingent on our efforts but upon unwavering hope.
If we take the time to review faith as Scripture defines it, we need to read Hebrews 11.
Reading Hebrews 11, it becomes apparent that these men never relied on their strength or self-made faith. They obeyed God and were loyal, even if they had a rough time accepting what they were doing or going to do. Their faith rested in the Lord alone, and their loyalty to God was foundational. They believed and put their trust in what God promised; they were faithful.
Faith is not about our ability to overcome anything without God’s assistance. Faith is not about believing in things, places, people, or our understanding. Faith is confidence in what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through faith, the people in the old days earned a good reputation. By faith, we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command and that what we now see does not come from anything that can be seen.
My final note is that as the day approaches of our Lord’s return, God will increase the allotted faith for all who follow Jesus, are loyal to the Most High God, and have unwavering confidence in Him in preparation for what will come upon the earth.
Be confident, loyal, and faithful until the end.
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