What is Faith? I
'Faith' said a little boy, 'is trying your hardest to believe'. Well, that is not faith, that is anxiety trying to look like Faith. What then is Faith? It is not struggling, striving or trying, but simply resting, relaxing and trusting in the Saviour's Word.
In the Bible, Hebrews 11 has been described as the monument of Faith because it contains the names of those who died as heroes of Faith. But the list has not been finished for day by day God is adding new names to that list-those who recognize the tremendous power of simple faith. A definition of Faith that I like very much is this; Faith is right believing. The truth of this is brought out clearly in the story of Christ stilling the tempest (Mark 4:35-41). Jesus said to His disciples, 'Let us pass over to the other side'. Let that phrase sink deep into your heart, for in a moment you will see how little attention the disciples paid to that statement. In the middle of the lake a storm arose that was so fierce, it threatened to sink the boat in which the disciples were riding. They grew afraid and cried our in alarm, 'Master, carest thou not we perish?' But how could they perish when a little earlier Jesus had said, 'Let us pass over to the other side'. If they had believed His Word they would not have been afraid. There was no storm that could sink the ship in which Christ was riding, but they believed their fears rather than the word of the Master. Faith is right believing-it stands on God's Word no matter what the circumstance. (Skepsis)
'Faith' said a little boy, 'is trying your hardest to believe'. Well, that is not faith, that is anxiety trying to look like Faith. What then is Faith? It is not struggling, striving or trying, but simply resting, relaxing and trusting in the Saviour's Word.
In the Bible, Hebrews 11 has been described as the monument of Faith because it contains the names of those who died as heroes of Faith. But the list has not been finished for day by day God is adding new names to that list-those who recognize the tremendous power of simple faith. A definition of Faith that I like very much is this; Faith is right believing. The truth of this is brought out clearly in the story of Christ stilling the tempest (Mark 4:35-41). Jesus said to His disciples, 'Let us pass over to the other side'. Let that phrase sink deep into your heart, for in a moment you will see how little attention the disciples paid to that statement. In the middle of the lake a storm arose that was so fierce, it threatened to sink the boat in which the disciples were riding. They grew afraid and cried our in alarm, 'Master, carest thou not we perish?' But how could they perish when a little earlier Jesus had said, 'Let us pass over to the other side'. If they had believed His Word they would not have been afraid. There was no storm that could sink the ship in which Christ was riding, but they believed their fears rather than the word of the Master. Faith is right believing-it stands on God's Word no matter what the circumstance. (Skepsis)
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