Biblical Faith is a Reasonable Faith

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. What kind of hope? Romans 8:24-25 tells us,

"For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it."

Faith is an assurance of what we already know to be true about God- that He is perfect and His promises are always kept. He has promised salvation to those whom He has elected before the foundation of the world. Should I, still living, have any question in my mind that God will carry out His promise to me when I die to be with Him in heaven? It would be the only promise He ever broke! Am I so special for Him to deny His character and commit such an impossible act of evil? May it never be, Paul would say!

When things are difficult, suffering is plaguing me, and things all look completely contrary to what I know to be true I must hold onto and refuse to let go of what I know to be true about God because He has never ever failed. This is not a pie-in-the-sky, hope-so kind of hope. This is hope and faith based upon knowledge- knowledge of who God is and how He works. How can we have true faith without knowledge?

I have faith in Christ because I have good reason to have faith in This which I cannot see. "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.", Christ said to Thomas. This is not blind faith- it is the foresight of things promised by One who cannot break a promise as man does.

"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.'"- Isaiah 55:8-11

Biblical and true Christian faith is based on much reason and knowledge. Faith based on anything else is a shallow, hope-so faith which cannot withstand the attacks of the evil one and the wiles of this world. Saving knowledge of Christ given to us freely by grace alone is the only firm foresight into the future we have and is one we can firmly count on. To God alone be the glory.

The Word of Christ

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."- Romans 10:17

I'll go to my grave with this verse on my lips. This verse means everything and without its implications we have no reason to live before or after conversion. It tells us the only means to eternal life- the Word of Christ- the Gospel.

Most of the Evangelical church today preaches all kinds of messages to people in regards to Christianity and living the Christian life. They'll tell you how to live, how to treat one another, what to do, what not to do, what's right, what's wrong and they'll tell it to you with "legitimate" Bible talk which sounds very Christian and, in many cases, is biblically sound. However, the gospel sadly is missing from the modern pulpits of America and, therefore, renders their messages powerless and useless.

What reason does anyone have to live a right life before God without the message of the gospel? What reason does anyone have to treat others as they would have others treat them without the power of the gospel behind it? What motivation does anyone have to do what is right before God without the gospel in full view? What power does anyone have to resist evil without the example and testimony of the gospel working in their heart and mind? What reason do we have to live other than sheer pride and arrogance without the gospel reigning supreme in our lives?

Are these hard questions? I'll give you an easy answer- none. When faced with our Almighty and Holy God who is just and must punish sin juxtaposed with us who have sinned and come short of His glory, what hope do we have to do anything right or good enough to bring meaning to our lives and honor to God? Christ is the only answer. He is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. He has preeminence over all things and through Him all things have come into being. He is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life and through Him our lives have meaning. Everything we do unto Him and for His glory is all that matters and all that lasts.

Our message to all people must begin and end with Christ crucified. It must begin and end with the offer of free grace alone from God alone through faith alone. Any message which instructs people in the ways of life and faith is nonsense without it. May God have mercy on the modern Evangelical church and on me. May I and all people decrease so that Christ may increase. I lift Him up today like the firey serpent and look to Him to live and have life. To God be all the glory. Amen.

John Calvin, The Reformer

John Calvin, the Reformer. One of the greatest heroes in the Christian faith. I and the reformed faith owe him a great deal of gratitude for his work as a minister of the Gospel and theologian. The truths of the scriptures he brought to light and taught go so far beyond "Calvinistic" soteriology. In fact, Calvin would have hated the fact that anyone would call themselves a "Calvinist".

Calvin was a man who suffered much in his life, but at the same time held such a high view of God and a realistic view of himself. Thank God for great men like John Calvin; what's more, praise God that He would choose to use men so mightily in order to build up His kingdom on earth.

Soli deo Gloria.

Tetelestai

Tetelestai- the most beautiful Greek word in all of Scripture. Christ uttered this word from the cross after suffering the pains of hell during the three hours of darkness. We know it to mean "It is finished". Why is that beautiful? Redemption had been completed! Christ paid the debt for sin and God's elect were purchased for eternity. The wrath of God upon sin had been satisfied.

This word rings in my ear often, and every time it does I am moved and humbled. Christ- the infinte God-man became a curse to save the likes of me and all those whom God chose to have mercy on. What a God we serve. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!