There is a Wrong Answer

The words faith or belief(ve) are used surprisingly often in non-Christian circles. I am sure you have heard things like ‘have faith’ or ‘believe in yourself’. Truth be told, these statements are made in a vacuum. Have faith in what? Believe in myself based on what? I can’t even guarantee my next breath of air or make a single hair on my head grow.

What Faith Means in the Bible

Most Christians know the definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” 

Simply put, faith is being convinced or persuaded that things that I expect or hope but have not seen (with my physical eyes) are actually true. Without context, this sentence is utter nonsense. Is faith being persuaded that my football team will win tomorrow’s game simply because I hope so? Is faith being convinced that aliens exist? These are certainly a kind of faith but not what the biblical authors had in mind.

The Object of Faith is God

See, the writer of Hebrews gives us multiple examples to illustrate what he meant by the “assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”: the assurance that God exists though we do not see him (Hebrews 11:6), that he created the world through things we cannot see (Hebrews 11:3), that His warnings and promises will surely come to pass (Hebrews 11:7-40), and knowing/considering Him to be worthy of our best (Hebrews 11:4).

A clear theme emerges from these examples: the object of biblical faith is God; not self, not other people or creatures.

Why Faith In God is Not Wishful Thinking

Biblical faith, which is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9), is neither wishful thinking nor mindless trust. The reason is that ‘He who promised is faithful’ (Hebrews 10:23). In other words, we can be sure that what God has promised will come to pass, not because these things are certain in and of themselves, but because He who promised is faithful, trustworthy, and all-powerful to ensure that they happen. This is the conviction of the biblical authors (Hebrews 10:19;22;23; 2 Timothy 1:11-12). 

In Summary

Faith in God is a trusting, life-long reliance on him as he reveals to us his Person, his plans, his promises, and warnings. Faith in anything or anyone other than God is delusional. God only is Sovereign and God only can ensure that what he promises will happen.

In what ways are you tempted to believe in yourself or other things instead of God? Comment below!

Feel free to share this post on any social media platform.