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.

A New Dimension

People’s desire for insight is usually superficial. And that is the way it was for the Greeks who came to the apostle Philip. Sir, they said, we would like to see Jesus. (Jn. 12:21b NIV) They assumed a simple introduction would give them understanding.

Of course, we learn from every exposure to Jesus. How else would we receive the challenges that draw us into a deeper relationship with Him. But Jesus’ response to their request did not even seem relevant. I tell you the truth, He said, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (v. 24)

Rather than introduce Himself, Jesus made it clear they could not receive spiritual insight without entering a new dimension. If they wanted to truly see Him, they would have to participate in the type of life He lived and receive the revelation He offered.

All knowledge is helpful and worthwhile. But revelation and spiritual insight require more than occasional or superficial exposure.

Originally published March 22, 1985.

Where Is the Wise?

‘Tis the season for graduations.

When people graduate, they receive diplomas or degrees that indicate they’ve acquired a measure of knowledge or wisdom. Knowledge and wisdom are certainly useful. We encourage young and old to seek them. And when people graduate, we applaud their achievement.

The Bible instructs people to study and to seek both knowledge and wisdom. Various leaders throughout the Bible emphasized learning. Moses knew how to read and write, Samuel started a school, David’s court was a learned court. Jewish children during Jesus’ time studied in the synagogues.

But the wisdom of Scripture is not necessarily the same as the wisdom of a society or culture. They might agree, but not always. Sometimes they even oppose each other and sometimes Christians must choose between them. Paul said, Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (I Cor. 1:20 NKJV)

Paul was an educated man himself. His writings are respected by Christians and non-Christians alike. Yet he espoused something greater than wisdom as it is normally understood. He desired the wisdom of God.

Originally published May 29, 1992.
Picture: Apple blossoms, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Knowing by Revelation

Paul said, For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (Rom. 8:19 NKJV)

The word revealing in this verse refers to a specific type of knowing—knowing or understanding with a spiritual heart.

This isn’t the same as knowing through memorization—or even knowing through using the ability to reason. Even though the ability to reason is a wonderful and useful gift, it is limited. Reasoning does not move us to love. It does not encourage forgiving when we have been hurt. In fact, a life directed totally by reason is impossible because we cannot deny our feelings.

Although all types of knowing are gifts from God, when reason fails, we long for another type of knowledge. If we do not have it, we are susceptible to emotionalism.

So let us seek all of God’s knowledge. Let use our gift of reason—try to develop it fully to God’s glory. And let us seek spiritual revelation or knowing as well. Only spiritual revelation has power to bring life from the heart.

Originally published December 28, 1990.