Where is faith?

24Dec07

A good friend of mine wrote an article called “Where is our Faith?” In it he explores the words of Christ in the book of Mark as he makes a promise to us about our faith:

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.” For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

I pray often and for many things, but I admit, my faith right now assures me that God CAN do the things I ask, not that God WILL do the things I ask. I have, in the past, desired change so much that I have resorted to fooling myself into believing that the things I pray will happen. This is not what Jesus means when he speaks of faith and believing.

We must have some level of understanding to accompany our level of belief. We must avoid mindlessly believing anything. It’s definitely easier to have faith without understanding, but then again, if there’s no understanding, our faith could be in anything.

I believe that the first step growing in faith is simply to ask God for it. It seems like a circular argument at first – it takes faith to believe that God will give you faith when you ask, but a belief in God requires at least a small amount of faith and understanding.

As followers of Christ, we often say that believing is all that it takes to be saved. And believing is the key to faith. I believe. But I must ask myself, do I actually believe? If so, to what extent? Am I so sure about my salvation and the divinity of Christ that I am willing to do for this truth? Am I convinced that God will fulfill his promises to the point that I am willing to get up a few hours early to spend time in prayer with the creator of the universe? Do I really believe that Christ’s work on the cross is exactly what I need to be reconciled to God to the point where I am willing to tell others about this truth? The fact is our lifestyles and actions are evidence to the extent to which we actually believe God.

This is not in anyway to say that actions earn faith. Actions are simply a result of the change that has already taken place, not a method by which we can earn change and growth.

As a result of thinking, meditating, and praying on this subject for the past few weeks I feel a bit of understanding gained that I did not have before. I should simply ask God for understanding and faith. I should be more hungry for his Word and meditate more on scripture as a means by which God can reveal his hidden knowledge. I should hide his word in my heart so as to mold my thoughts and my will into His.

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Tags: Bible, Faith, God who happens to be Jesus, Mark