Enjoy Life, Enjoy God
FAITH
June 4, 2009
Faith is a much-used word. "You have to have faith," we hear often said. But faith in what?
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
- Hebrews 11:1,6 TNIV
Yes, faith. But faith in what? Often the word is used disconnected from an object or subject, just an open-ended concept, faith in "to whom/what it may concern." Such faith has little to do with the Christian faith, and its resurrecting power. Hebrews 11 is known by some as "The Great Faith Chapter." Not only does it start by defining our faith in God, but gives oodles of illustrations of people who have faith. Yet this faith is not ill-defined, this faith has a focus--It's God in Jesus Christ.
Faith is clinging, looking forward to something we don't yet have in our grasp, but it's so real, that it's like we already have the fulfillment. That's faith in Jesus Christ.
Joyfully,
Dale Patterson