What is faith? Repeatedly the Bible says the "the just shall live by faith." What does that mean? I am increasingly aware at how difficultly simple a faith motivated and dependant life is. It is not simply believing that God is able. If we believe in God, by definition of His existence, we believe He is able. This really is nothing more than a declaration that we are not atheists. Belief that God is able is like believing that water is wet. If God is not able, He is not God.
So what is this faith that we live by? I believe it rests not simply in believing in what God can do but in being familiar enough with the heart and personality of God to understand what He is willing to do. Here is where we begin to live. Believing in God's ability does not require a relationship with Him personally. But when we begin to know God, we begin to understand where His heart is and what He is passionate about. We begin to look at His promises in scripture as more than words on a page but bonds of a covenant between the Creator and His creation. This is the birth of hope; that this God who has the ability, knows me and therefore has the desire to use His ability on my behalf.
At this point we are brought to the threshold of living faith. Just because we believe God can act on our behalf and is willing to do so, does not mean we are living by faith. Living is a present condition and requires present actions. For me to live by faith I must believe that the God who is able and willing to act IS presently acting in my life. God is able and willing to forgive my sins. For me to experience and receive this forgiveness I must believe that He has and is forgiving me. While God is able and willing to give me strength, grace and resolve, the victory comes when I realize that He is at this moment giving me these things. The power to overcome temptations and trials is not something I will have, it is something I DO have through Christ. This life of faith is lived in the present reality based on the resources that are PRESENTLY ours in Christ Jesus. This is the life of victory and this is how God's people are to live.
So what is this faith that we live by? I believe it rests not simply in believing in what God can do but in being familiar enough with the heart and personality of God to understand what He is willing to do. Here is where we begin to live. Believing in God's ability does not require a relationship with Him personally. But when we begin to know God, we begin to understand where His heart is and what He is passionate about. We begin to look at His promises in scripture as more than words on a page but bonds of a covenant between the Creator and His creation. This is the birth of hope; that this God who has the ability, knows me and therefore has the desire to use His ability on my behalf.
At this point we are brought to the threshold of living faith. Just because we believe God can act on our behalf and is willing to do so, does not mean we are living by faith. Living is a present condition and requires present actions. For me to live by faith I must believe that the God who is able and willing to act IS presently acting in my life. God is able and willing to forgive my sins. For me to experience and receive this forgiveness I must believe that He has and is forgiving me. While God is able and willing to give me strength, grace and resolve, the victory comes when I realize that He is at this moment giving me these things. The power to overcome temptations and trials is not something I will have, it is something I DO have through Christ. This life of faith is lived in the present reality based on the resources that are PRESENTLY ours in Christ Jesus. This is the life of victory and this is how God's people are to live.
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