WHAT IS FAITH???

If you were asked, "What is the meaning of faith?" what would your answer be?

Faith, we know "is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen". We know that without faith, "it is impossible to please God". We all know that faith "comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God...". Still, what is faith? What is the purpose of faith in our lives?

Sometimes, it appears that faith is our genie-in-the-bottle. You "rub the bottle" and "by faith" command and demand the things in the earth to do what you want them to do. Whatever your heart desires, ask in faith, and you will have whatever you desire, right (my paraphrase)??? You could arrive at that conclusion if you read the Word of God selectively, without context. However, we are not to take the Word of God as if it is a book of quick tips, a novel, or a guide that you can choose which parts you wish to apply and dismiss others. It is "line upon line, precept upon precept". The Word of God builds--it is contextual; it fits, together. One verse depends upon other verses. No one verse stands alone.

In 1 John 5:13-16, we can see the above paraphrase embedded in verse 15. Reading only verse 15 could leave one impression, that contextually would be incorrect.
 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
 14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
 16If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. (KJV)

To isolate verse 15 (or others which are very similar), suggests a meaning that is not apparent when read in context. First, the faith or belief is in the assurance that I have eternal life, and in the Name of Jesus Christ. Secondly, anything I ask for, must be according to His will. Thirdly, the situation described here is praying and having faith for the life of a brother who has sinned; not for money, or a house, or a car, but for the very costly life of my brother. God is trying to raise us to a level of spiritual-mindedness, and we choose the things of the world. In this same letter, in the 2nd chapter, John warned us to "love not the world". Yet we are so attracted to the finer things of this life, that we can't be drawn to the finest "things" of eternity. God wants our attention, but we are so distracted by tangible things that we can't hear His Voice, see His Hand, or feel His Presence for much more than a moment. Many struggle with living in His presence unceasingly. It shows in our attitudes, once we leave church, and are away from the sight of the saints.  (It also shows in our need to always be surrounded by people to be comfortable, never seeking quiet time.)

He wants us to be able to rise above the mundane and the minute. How is it that we are so irritated by minor things? Our focus is not spiritual, but carnal. Being busy in church does not make one spiritual--that takes developing a personal relationship, by spending quality time with Jesus. That doesn't happen in church. It happens in conversation with Him. It occurs when you bare yourself before Him, honestly; asking Him to reveal Himself and His will to you--and to reveal YOU, to you the way that He sees you. You will find out what really matters to you and what is really in your heart--exactly, what treasure is there.

So, again, what exactly is faith? Is it the answer to everything that we desire or everything that we need? It can be for everything that we desire--if we delight in Him (Psalm 37:4). Then, our desire is no longer for "things" but we become insatiable for Him, and the "things" of God.   No, we don't need faith for our needs--those are promised to us (Matthew 6). Of course, what the Bible calls needs and what we call needs, is quite different. Or is faith something else? Faith is the truth or conviction that God IS; that's my definition of faith (in a nutshell).
The definition of faith (Greek=pistis): conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it:
    1. relating to God
      1. the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ
    2. relating to Christ
      1. a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God
    3. the religious beliefs of Christians
    4. belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same
  2. fidelity, faithfulness
    the character of one who can be relied on. 
The purpose of faith in our lives is to give us a foundation to stand firmly on, no matter what exists in a sinful world. Abraham was the father of faith--all he had was faith when God told him to leave all that he knew to go to a strange land. He had the covenant that God promised and the God Who promised it, and he stood firmly on it. That is what we are to do with our measure of faith. God provides the faith that we need and we are called to hold fast and not waver--we know that His Word is true. We know that there is NO failure in our God--faith assures us of this fact.

Faith is protection in the midst of the storms, trials, temptations, persecutions and chaos of life in a sin-marred world. There is no better protection. Ask Abraham. Ask Isaac. Ask Joseph. Ask Joshua. Ask Rahab. Ask Deborah. Ask Gideon. Ask Daniel.

Keep looking unto the Author and Finisher of our FAITH, Jesus Christ and know that faith is given to us to ensure our safety, until He takes us home. Faith works by love. Love starts faith and love will be with us when faith is no more, but rest in the safety of faith, and line up with God's purpose.

Grace,

Lisa 
 TTranslated Word



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