Quicksand or concrete?
Faith may compared to stepping out on what appears to be quicksand, only to find when you walk on it, it is concrete. Webster defines faith as; “strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.”1 The Bible defines faith in the writings of the Apostle Paul as: “…the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The Apostle goes on to say, “For by it the elders obtained a good report [before God].”
But, what made you step out onto the concrete to begin with? Is faith the act of walking blindly? Or, is it rather the belief that walking out onto the sand is going to be fine, because you have a good report, a trustworthy source, in which you believe? A source that tells you stepping out is going to be all right?
Faith in Christian terms is based on “very” God Himself.2 The original act that best demonstrates God’s love appears in the first book of the Bible, “God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”
The “beloved” Apostle John wrote, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” “We love him, because he first loved us.” (I John 4: 10 &19) [emphasis mine] God raised man above all His creation and gave him dominion over it in stewardship not ownership. Stewardship is defined as holding property in surety and security for the true owner. For his stewardship he was given a portion of the increase of the property. It was passed on to his progeny in the same stewardship. The property was to be cared for as it it were his own according to the law of God.
The only condition required was that man love, honor and obey GOD. (Genesis 2: 16 – 17)
Most people have heard that phrase. It should be familiar. The marriage ceremony at one time had that phrase in it. It was corrupted by man’s law to a definition God never intended; that the man should have dominion of the woman. God’s intent was that they both love and honor God and each other but both should love God first and foremost. If man had continued to listen to God perhaps the first sin would not have been committed. He was created first. Adam was first given responsibility not to disobey God. Ultimately, it was Adam’s responsibility to protect and be accountable to God for all of God’s creation, including Eve and himself.
Faith is a quality that grows with practice, and atrophies with disuse. It is multiplied as the scriptures begin to become more familiar, because it is the report that tells us the walk is going to be fine. “Then said he [Jesus] unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which brings forth out of his treasure things new and old.” (Matthew 13:52) The Scriptures reveal more and more as they are studied and compared scripture with scripture. It is a sad testimony that too many compare scripture with fiction written by men.
Faith is a difficult practice to pick up. Faith in God is even more difficult and more rare. Faith in a supernatural God is contrary to what most people would call “common sense.” Strangely, we read of famous men and women in history, fiction and otherwise, and accept what is said because of how we perceive their character. 33% of Great Britain believed that Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code was fact. On review we find that none of the claims in his book are fact.
There is ample evidence concerning the scriptures to accept them as fact. Archaeology, history and logic all tell us that the scriptures contain facts about history and not merely fables or fiction. Yet many would call believing in it to be ridiculous. But, many an eye witness will tell you that the scriptures are different. Many a living person can explain to you how these works of words are different.
Studying scripture does reveals the character of God. Through them we discover He can be trusted. When truth is revealed through the lives of the devout, righteous men and women in scripture; that they trusted Him and that their trust was confirmed and substantiated in His word, this is the trustworthy source. His acts in their behalf and their children exhibit that, contrary to contemporary popular belief, He is faithful to keep His word and His promises. There is a very satisfying confirmation of this, Psalm 121 among other numerous verses.
The wise king wrote, “Trust in the LORD with all [your] heart; and lean not unto [your] own understanding. In all [your] ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct [your] paths. (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
Faith is a gift from the grace of God. “The Lord is [near] unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalms 34:18) The man or woman a who calls on God when at wit’s end will receive the gift of faith. Continue in the Word of God and faith will grow. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love [casts] out fear: because fear [has] torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.” (I John 4:18) Jesus’ promise to the reborn soul is: “If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it [sees] him not, neither [knows] him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14: 15-18)
The more faith is exercised and the scriptures studied the greater the portion of faith is given from the grace of God. Your faith may be small now; this is how it is made greater or stronger. Don’t take anyone else’s word for it take God at His Word and try it!
- “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
- “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, (Hebrews 6:13) (See Genesis 12: 2&3)
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