What is Faith?
Bro. Josh is leading us through a journey of understanding Our Victory in Christ. Yesterday, he spoke about faith and how it permits us to have fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. While listening to the sermon, I had this thought on my mind: what is faith?
Faith in the Absurd
Often, Christians are chastised for having “blind faith,” that is, belief in something that cannot be substantiated. This argument generally comes from nonbelievers who think that faith is in opposition to intellectualism. I firmly believe, contrary to these arguments, faith cannot be blind because everything is based on something. For example, let’s say that I believe aliens are real. Although this claim cannot be proven, I could point to the vastness of the universe, the likelihood of life on observable planets, and many more astronomical facts to base my belief upon. Additionally, even those who may not use factual data base their claims on anecdotes. Tangent aside, faith is not unfounded belief; rather, faith is belief in something that cannot be seen (Heb. 11:1).
One of my favorite reads is Fear and Trembling by Soren Kierkegaard. The entire book is dedicated to unearthing the motives of Abraham in sacrificing his son, Isaac, on Mt. Moriah. Throughout the writing, Kierkegaard praises Abraham for his incredible faith. One of his primary claims is that, contrary to popular belief, Abraham did not have faith that God would provide for him after the sacrifice. Rather, Abraham’s faith was assurance that God would stop the sacrifice. Kierkegaard stated, “But what did Abraham do? He came neither too early nor too late. He mounted the donkey, he rode slowly down the path. All along he had faith, he believed that God would not demand Isaac of him, while still he was willing to offer him if that was indeed what was demanded.” He continues by claiming that Abraham had faith in the absurd. Without any evidence or logic, Abraham believed that God would demand Isaac’s sacrifice, and in the next moment, stop it completely. Abraham had complete faith in God, which is why Kierkegaard named him a knight of faith.
As Soren Kierkegaard articulated, faith is believing in God’s character and promises even in moments of absolute absurdity. How often have you found yourself in a case of absurdity? Has God ever pushed you to share the gospel with a random person? Has He ever implored you to take a job position that you did not want to take? Has He told you that everything will be alright in situations where nothing is alright? I have asked myself this so many times – “How in the world could God turn this into something good?” Believing that God will do what He says is, according to the world, a very absurd thing to do. But in reality, not having faith in God is much more absurd! God is capable of “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20.
One of my favorite reads is Fear and Trembling by Soren Kierkegaard. The entire book is dedicated to unearthing the motives of Abraham in sacrificing his son, Isaac, on Mt. Moriah. Throughout the writing, Kierkegaard praises Abraham for his incredible faith. One of his primary claims is that, contrary to popular belief, Abraham did not have faith that God would provide for him after the sacrifice. Rather, Abraham’s faith was assurance that God would stop the sacrifice. Kierkegaard stated, “But what did Abraham do? He came neither too early nor too late. He mounted the donkey, he rode slowly down the path. All along he had faith, he believed that God would not demand Isaac of him, while still he was willing to offer him if that was indeed what was demanded.” He continues by claiming that Abraham had faith in the absurd. Without any evidence or logic, Abraham believed that God would demand Isaac’s sacrifice, and in the next moment, stop it completely. Abraham had complete faith in God, which is why Kierkegaard named him a knight of faith.
As Soren Kierkegaard articulated, faith is believing in God’s character and promises even in moments of absolute absurdity. How often have you found yourself in a case of absurdity? Has God ever pushed you to share the gospel with a random person? Has He ever implored you to take a job position that you did not want to take? Has He told you that everything will be alright in situations where nothing is alright? I have asked myself this so many times – “How in the world could God turn this into something good?” Believing that God will do what He says is, according to the world, a very absurd thing to do. But in reality, not having faith in God is much more absurd! God is capable of “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20.
Encouragement
Although I could have written much more, you have plenty to do today! As you are contemplating your faith, I encourage you to consider how much of it you possess. Would you be willing to completely upend your life to pursue God? Would you walk up to a mountain to sacrifice your child with the faith that God would stop you? These are very uncomfortable questions to ask because they make us think about how much we truly believe in God.
But here is the most wonderful part of it all – God can do a lot with our faith. Jesus said, “For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Let us all go out today with the wonderful knowledge that God is on our side. With the faith of a mustard seed, God is capable of moving mountains for us!
But here is the most wonderful part of it all – God can do a lot with our faith. Jesus said, “For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Let us all go out today with the wonderful knowledge that God is on our side. With the faith of a mustard seed, God is capable of moving mountains for us!
1 Comment
Thank you.