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,
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.
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.
"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.
