The Christian Faith with True UnderstandingWhat is our Christian faith and how do we get the true understanding of how faith works in our lives? How do we structure and build upon faith as to become strong to the point of maturity? Let us go through a journey of faith to get the true understanding of how faith can work in our lives with a good outcome due to the blessings from God. Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld. It coveys the idea of something that underlies visible conditions and guarantees a future possession. Faith is, therefore, the basis for hope and the evidence for conviction concerning unseen realities. The entire body of truths delivered by Jesus Christ and his inspired disciples constitutes the true Christian faith. Hope is essential for the Christian faith; it is the groundwork and basis for our faith. (Heb 11:1) In turn, faith makes the hope brighter and stronger. The apostle Paul, in order to strengthen Christians, cites the fine example of Abraham. When Abraham and his wife Sarah were, from a human standpoint, beyond the hope of having children, it is said: “Although beyond hope, yet based on hope he had faith, that he might become the father of many nations in accord with what had been said; ‘So your seed will be.’ Abraham knew that, as far as producing children was concerned, his body and that of Sarah were “deadened.” But he did not grow week in faith. Why? “Because of the promise of God he did not waver in lack of faith’ but became powerful in faith.” (Rom 4:18-20) The apostle then applies Abraham’s example of faith and hope to Christians, concluding: “Let us exult, based on hope of the glory of God and the hope does not lead to disappointment; because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy spirit, which was given us.” (Rom 4:18-20) By faithfulness to God, we can now sprout and flourish as “trees of righteousness,” enjoying beautiful spiritual prosperity like a “well-watered garden,” showered by bounteous blessings from God due to having His favor. (Isa 58:11; 61:3, 11) As we explore Abraham’s Christian faith. When told to offer up Isaac, Abraham had strong faith that God would resurrect his son. He based such faith on God’s promise that it was by means of Isaac that “what will be called ‘your seed’ will be.” Gen. 21:12; says (But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.) The evidence of Abraham’s Christian faith in the Bible record reveals that when Abraham attempted to offer up his son Isaac he had faith in God’s ability and purpose to raise the dead. And, as stated at Hebrews 11:17-19, he did receive Isaac back from the dead “in an illustrative way.: (Gen 22:1-3, 10-13) Abraham had a basis for faith in a resurrection because of God’s promise of the “seed.” (Gen 3:15) Then the Bible goes on to call faithful men of old such as Abraham righteous. (Gen 15:6; Jas 2:21) Many of these men are listed at Hebrews chapter 11, and of them the writer says: And yet all these, although they had witness borne to them through their faith, did not get the fulfillment of the promise, as God foresaw something better for us [ spirit-begotten, anointed Christians like Paul], in order that they might not be made perfect apart from us.” (Heb 11:39- 40) As we go through our journey of faith to get true understanding of the Christian faith, let us examine the farmer’s Christian faith. The farmer prepares his soil and sows his seed, excepting, as in previous years, that the seed will sprout and that the plants will grow as they receive the needed moisture and sunshine. Likewise, the scientist has faith in the principles of his branch of science. He bases new experiments on past discoveries and looks for new discoveries on the basis of those things already established as true. Therefore, faith in the stability of the natural laws governing the universe actually constitutes a foundation for man’s plans and activities. In many ways, “faith follows the thing heard.” Rom 10:17 says, ( So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.) John 4:39,41, says ( And many of the Samaritans had come to Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” 41, And many more believed because of His word.) Our Christian faith according to Jesus: Jesus on occasions, said to those who were healed, “Your faith has made you well.” Had those persons not exercised their Christian faith in Jesus, they would not have received healing for themselves. Likewise, the great faith of the army officer who entreated Jesus in behalf of his manservant rested on evidence, on the basis of which he concluded that Jesus’ merely ‘saying the word’ would result in the healing of his manservant. Therefore, evidence for genuine conviction was also involved in the case of those who came to or who were brought to Jesus to be healed. Even if not eyewitnesses personally, they at least had heard about Jesus’ powerful works. Then, on the basis of what they saw or heard, they concluded that Jesus could heal them also. Moreover, they were acquainted with God’s Word and thus were familiar with the miracles performed by the prophets in times past. However, we note that Jesus healed all who came to him, not requiring their Christian faith to be greater or less according to their disease, nor failing to heal any of these with the excuse that he could not do it because their faith was not strong enough, as so-called “faith healers” have done. Jesus performed these healings as a witness to establish the Christian faith. In his home territory, where much unfaithfulness was expressed, he chose not to perform many powerful works, not because of inability, but because the people refused to listen and were unworthy. Matt. 13:58 says, (Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.) Our Christian Site helps Christians to start their own successful Christian business that will enable them with the tools needed to succeed in spreading God‘s Word http://www.christianideas.net Part 2, of Christian faith, let us continue on in our journey of faith…
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