Faith Is the Substance

Faith is an elusive concept. A dictionary defines it as, belief, and trust in, and loyalty to God.

The book of Hebrews provides another definition: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb. 11:1 NKJV)

How do we trust in a God we cannot see? For truly, no one sees, has seen, or will see God. And that is not all bad. If God could be proven, faith would be unnecessary. But what is this elusive faith?

Perhaps we have difficulty with defining faith because we try to describe it as a mental choice or position. We check our thoughts to see whether we have faith. Our thoughts might reveal our status, but they will not help us find or understand faith.

Neither the Bible nor the dictionary approach faith as the thoughts of the mind. For faith is primarily a choice of the heart and a position of the heart. The heart chooses to believe or not believe depending upon its desires. When the heart chooses God, faith becomes reality in the life of a believer.

Originally published February 28, 1992.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

To Ponder God

Once the human mind gains a measure of knowledge, it often becomes impressed with its achievement. This is as true in the spiritual realms as in other areas of life.

It is also tricky, because firmly-understood truth—which should be positive—becomes a foundation for well-defined mental precepts. And well-defined precepts could (not will, but could) become rigid, offensive dogmas.

Scripture says, Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. (I Cor. 8:1b,2 NIV)

When people become rigid, they lose their desire to search—to think deeply or to meditate further. There is a danger of reducing everything to rules and regulations. And God cannot be defined by precepts, dogmas, or regulations.

A psalmist said, Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. (Ps. 111:2)

To truly know God is to know He will never be fully known.

Originally published July 6, 1984.

Teach Me Your Way

David had walked with God for a long time when he wrote, Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. . . . (Ps. 86:11a NIV)

Does that mean David did not know God’s way earlier?

No. He knew God’s way. But he also knew that every situation required new insight—along with renewed desire to hear God and to follow His leading. He knew he must seek God continually in every circumstance. And he knew that although God was a reality in his daily life—a sustaining presence and the source of his salvation—he still did not understand the all-encompassing greatness of God.

For although King David had learned God never changes, he also knew that people—including the king himself—do change.

Like David, we should grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord . . . . (II Pet. 3:18a) With David, we can ask God to teach us His way.

Originally published June 17, 1988.
Picture: Domestic sunflowers, Byron's garden, Spokane, 2009. Photo by Solveig.