Just What is Faith? by Ann-Louise

     The rendering of that verse in the CJB and NIV provide a little more understanding of faith:
  Trusting is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see. 
                Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  

     Faith is more than just a simple matter of stating we know something to be true. It is a firm belief, confidence, conviction and proof to our hearts of the reality of the promises of God. James 1 is often the chapter we refer to when speaking of obtaining wisdom, but it also contains some insight into this matter of faith.

     Verse 6 says,  But let him ask in trust, doubting nothing; for the doubter is like a wave in the sea being tossed and driven by the wind. (CJB)

     Have you ever wavered in your faith? In all honestly, most of us, including me would have to admit that, yes, we have. That verse gives a good description of what it feels like when we begin to doubt God -  for the doubter is like a wave in the sea being tossed and driven by the wind. Without faith, we are much like a boat set adrift at sea, bouncing around wherever the wind and waves of the storms of life take us.

     Remember Peter? When he got out of that boat and began to walk across the water to his Master, he did well until he allowed his surroundings to distract him. He saw the height of the waves, heard the wind howling around him and began to sink. In much the same way, when we take our eyes off the Master, distracted by all that is going on around us, we also begin to sink. We can be pulled down into the waters of discouragement and despair, forgetting that our eyes must be fixed upon Master, not our surroundings. Rather than looking at ourselves and our circumstances, may we...

...fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2 NIV)
 
     In Mark 9, we are told of a father who desperately wanted his son to be set free from the evil spirit that tormented him. He came to Jesus saying, But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes. Jesus reminded the man that if one simply has faith, all things are possible. Interestingly, He did not rebuke this man for his next statement - I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" 
 
     God knows our hearts. He knows that at times, complete assurance in His Word is a struggle for us. I believe this is why He recorded so many examples in His Word of ordinary people who, by faith, followed and obeyed Him and saw His promises fulfilled in their lives. Hebrews 11 has been called the great faith chapter, because it records events involving many faith-filled people. 

                   - by faith Abel   - by faith Enoch   - by faith Noah   - by faith Abraham  
                       - by faith Jacob  - by faith Joseph   - by faith Moses, etc, etc

                        
     I would encourage you to read the entire chapter and see for yourself how these men and women of God had victory in their lives and obtained a good report through faith (Heb 11:2, KJV) because they placed their faith is God and His Word to them. They were not disappointed. God kept His Word to them and He will also to us as we place our complete trust in him, without wavering. Immediately following this great listing of faith, we are given the following exhortation:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Heb 12:1, NIV)

     Those witnesses not only witnessed God's faithfulness to them, but also testify to us by their lives that we, too, can trust Him fully and go forward in faith for Him. 

      Hebrews 10:22 provides a final word for us to remember as we continue by faith to run with perseverance the race marked out for us...

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 

 

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