I know it's been a long time since I blogged last... but here we go.
To the atheist, “faith” is the unjustified belief in
something that cannot be experienced with the five senses… because it is
invisible. So basically they think Christians are people who simply have some
belief in something that cannot be proven scientifically, because it is not
real. They set up the argument, “well if God exists, and you believe that on
this ‘faith’, then I believe that there is a flying spaghetti monster flying
around above your head. And I also believe that on ‘faith.’ See? Same thing.”
What?
Let’s identify the problem here for a moment.
First of all, believers have allowed non-believers to define
biblical terms. That seems like a problem…
Secondly, we believe their definition of faith... double
problem.
Let us begin to break down what faith is NOT. Then we will
build up what faith IS.
Faith IS NOT the unjustified belief in the EXISTENCE OF GOD.
God never intended us to simply “believe He exists” for no logical reason.
Romans chapter 1 says that God has revealed Himself through His creation, and
He does not need to “prove” He exists, because it is obvious that He does. In fact,
He has shown that He exists to every person who has ever lived. The only reason
that people do no believe is not because there are no good reasons, but because
they suppress the truth and exchange it for a lie.
Harsh. But the Bible is not all hunky dory “KLOVE
encouraging verse of the day” type stuff all the time… That will be a future
blog.
So then, what IS faith? Let’s go to Hebrews 11 verse 1. “Now
faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Atheists look at this verse and say, “SEE! Christians believe in made up crap
that can’t be proven! Thus, there is no God.” Ok, wait a minute. We must ask
the question of this verse… What are the things hoped for? And what should we
be convicted about not seeing? Answer: the promises of God.
Now that is what faith IS. Now what are the functions of
faith? Romans chapter 4 talks of how Abraham was justified by faith. Why? Because
he BELIEVED IN THE PROMISES OF GOD! This “faith” is in contrast to being
justified by works. Although he and Sarah were unable to have children due to
their age, He still believed (and did not waver) concerning the promise of God
in that He would make Abraham a great nation. Thus, one of the functions of
faith is the channel of righteousness, from belief in the promises of God for
things to come.
I would encourage you to explore another aspect of this
faith. If you continue on in Hebrews 11, you will find that it is full of
people not being justified by their faith, but steadfastly living for God after
becoming believers. Faith also keeps us going, because we know that God will do
as He has promised.
