Every once in awhile I will have someone come to me worried that their faith is not strong enough. They have endured a series of unfortunate incidences and fear that if their faith was stronger that they would not have had to endure what they have endured.
We are taught to believe that if we have enough faith that nothing is impossible. Jesus said that faith will move the mountains (see Matthew 17:20). So we think that if things don’t work out it must be our fault. We think the problem was that we did not have enough faith. We then commit ourselves to work on our faith.
Here is the problem. The problem is that what we understand as faith is not always the definition of Biblical faith. God is the object of Biblical faith. For many Americans, their faith is in faith. The idea is that if I hope for the best that everything will work itself out. Faith is equated with thinking positively and believing in what I want to happen – no matter what the odds. We are led to believe that the sincerity of our faith is more important than the content of our faith.
Faith is not believing what I want to be done will happen. It’s not naming it, claiming it, and then believing God enough for it. Faith is to trust God’s good purpose will be carried out in every circumstance – good or bad.
There are three English words that encapsulate the full meaning of Biblical faith. These three words are faith, belief, and trust.
- Faith: Is equated with confidence and optimism. It is about not doubting.
- Belief: To accept a matter as truth. It is intellectual assent.
- Trust: It is a matter of placing your life and best interests in the hands of others.
If we limit faith to any of the three words above, we miss out on the fullness of what Biblical faith is. Faith is about depending on God. It is when the going gets tough, we look to him for direction, and we seek what he wants. Faith is not a matter of getting your way. It is a matter of doing it God’s way. Sometimes faith will make matters worse. Faith put Paul into prison. It led to martyrdom for Stephen. It caused John to live the end of his life in exile. These men were committed to do it God’s way no matter what because they trusted the Lord with their life. Faith gave them the courage to endure because through faith they trusted God that there was a greater reward in store.
Keep in mind faith is measured. Jesus talked about degrees of faith. He talked about lesser faith and greater faith. In the same verse he talks about faith to move the mountains, he talks about having faith the size of a mustard seed. In the end, it doesn’t matter how much or how little faith we have. What matters is that we have it. It’s not our great faith that saves us, but God who saves us through faith. It’s not about the strength of our faith; it’s about the strength of our God.
Questions for Reflection
- How would you define faith?
- Is faith about getting what you want or living out what God wants? Why or why not?
- Have you had a time where faith created a difficult circumstance?
- Share your comments.
Gale Wilson says
Thanks ! I loved this!
Sue says
Thank you; your view of things is so clear and so helpful for me and I look forward to them daily. Thanks again.
Kelly says
Is there a difference between God’s Will and God’s purpose?
Mel says
Faith to me is knowing in my heart and mind and spirit that no matter what happens, whether from a bad decision on my part or any other circumstance, God is always with me and He protects, keeps and provides for me regardless of how anything plays out in my life or in this world. No thing or power can wrench me from His hand.