Introduction
Faith is one of those common religious words used by churches and their members. It is not a word typically used by the scientific community or atheists. The experience of faith, however, is a daily experience by everyone regardless of their world view. For an easy understanding of faith, think of the word trust. Trust comes from knowing the words or actions of a person, process, of thing that perform as it has always. They are predictable and true. That will be the basic definition or premise used for this writing. But faith or trust is more dynamic for the believer in Christ. Since there is an enemy of Christ, there is also a misplaced thinking that can create a fake faith in the religious community. Therefore this writing is primarily for the church. It is interesting that Jesus had the most severe warnings for those who were religious than for those who were “sinners.”
True Faith Has Action
For an example of true faith, the story is told of the man who planned to walk a tight-rope across the roaring Niagara Falls. He received a lot of press, interviews, and attention, then the day came for his historic walk. The crowd and newspaper reporters gathered to hear the words of the daring young man. Everyone was surprised when a wheelbarrow was brought up and placed on the wire in front of the man. Then he said, “Who has the faith that I can push this wheelbarrow across this wire to the other side of the Niagara Falls? Everyone was silent except for one person. An old man said, “I have faith you can do it.” The next words tested the faith of the old man, “Ok since you have faith, please get in and I will push you across.” The old man refused to get in and thereby exposed to everyone that his words were just that, only words. But, the young man’s wife said, “I have faith in you” and she carefully placed herself in the cold garden utensil. She had been married to the daring young man for several years and had time to observe and trust in him and his abilities. He had pushed her across a thin wire many times before, but on a smaller scale. Today, she would put her trust in his ability even though the environment was windy, misty, and higher. Her faith had grown in the small things to where she could trust her husband in the big things…because she knew him.
In a similar manner trust in Jesus comes only from an experience with Him in the small things at first. Its source for trust is in the Bible and His words, they bring to life the experience of trust. “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6: 63). The premise of this book is that real faith comes from three sources: God’s word, an experience with Him, and continued building trust. Faith is never stagnant, but it grows or dies with continued use or lack of use. Works (actions) and faith (trust) are not separate experiences that are a result of each other as James explains, “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18
Faith or trust in Jesus is so important that the writer of Hebrews said, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him…” Hebrews 11:6. Jesus’ rhetorical question indicates there will be a small amount of saving faith when Jesus comes, “…when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).
Fake Faith-Self Deception
On the other hand, there is a pseudo-faith in the world of religion that is misplaced and deadly. It may even contain good works or deeds, but lack a personal experience with Jesus. One of the most startling passages of scriptures paints a picture of people who offered up their works as evidence of their faith, but it is rejected by the Lord because He didn’t know them:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you…” (Matthew 7: 21-23).
It is for these reasons I write my first book. Of all the topics I considered, this was by far the one that inspired me the most because it is so dynamic and so important. My desire is your experience with Christ will move to a new level of trust.
One last thing, I came from an atheist philosophy while in college to a full-blown believer in Christ when I was 25 years old. How that happened is part of this book. I am now 70 years old and have experienced Jesus in good times and bad times. The Bible tells us of the importance of personal experience and testimony. The stories of the people of God in the Old Testimony, even their failures, help us in modern society to reach a higher level of faith and hope. They are written so we can learn to grow in faith.
“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
We are told by John our personal experience and testimonies with Jesus can actually overcome Satan.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. (Revelation 12:11)
Fake News-Fake Faith
We live at a time where we often hear the phrase “Fake News.” It indicates the reporting of news that is not necessarily true. It also appears in the form of deception using facts purposely neglected or events spun to fit the writer’s desired narrative. In the spiritual realm facts (the basis of faith) can be counterfeited, ignored, or explained in such a way that our understanding of faith becomes worthless, even deadly. Solomon expressed it this way:
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” Proverbs 14:12 NKJV.
Solomon repeated these same words again in Proverbs 16:25. By repetition, he highlighted the extreme danger of putting too much trust in our own thoughts and feelings, especially those created by the manipulation of others who would seek to lead us down a wrong line of thinking either by direct intention to gain something or unintentional. This great wise man of God was subtly telling us, we may think a certain path is the right one, but it doesn’t make it right. Even more, our faulty reasoning and life plans can ultimately lead to destruction. This is why understanding true faith versus false faith is so important in today’s world.
Unfortunately, as erring humans, we often trust our feelings more than rely on objective rational thinking even in the world of faith. True faith, contrary to the opinion of unbelievers, is based on solid logical thinking. Fake faith, like fake news, is based on what we want to hear, so we choose to believe what makes us feel good or fits what we want the truth to be.
For many years we have been taught to “only believe.” But, real faith is not blind nor ruled by emotions. It is based on an understanding of the evidence. If we are going to truly trust something or someone, we must have a reason, a history of confirmed reliability, or unfailing consistency. The journey of experiences leads to trust.
Faith is Based on Evidence
As a little boy, I could fearlessly jump off the high couch into my father’s arms. Though a little shaky and mistrusting at the start, I soon believed in the strong arms of my Dad to always catch me for two simple reasons: 1.) My continued active experience of jumping/catching and 2.) I learned through this play that Dad loved me.
When I began my search for truth and meaning of life at age 25, I was glad to hear Paul say,
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”
Hebrews 11:1.
Substance and evidence are tangible reasons that connect us with the intangibles i.e. hope and things not seen. “Substance” is like the supper my wife makes for me. It is something I can see, smell, and taste. It is not made-up or imaginative. Evidence is similar except it requires the use of reasoning powers given to us by God. I can’t actually see her make the meal if I am not in the kitchen, but I have the evidence that there was rational planning in the delivery of my meal by the empty cartons, cans, and the aromatic smells. I can’t see the flavoring baked into the casserole, but I can see the evidence by the things lying around the kitchen such as salt and pepper shakers and I can taste it with my own tongue (substance). God has provided the meal of life in a similar way. This meal He provides is the substance for a life of faith that can grow over time and become steadfast by the evidence which is easily observable. Understand, I am not necessarily talking about the substance and evidence for creation, but rather the rational reasons to have faith and trust in our Creator that we don’t see.
The most convincing evidence of my Father’s love and a foundation of faith are found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. But, how can I trust Him and His promises if I have not experienced a jump from low heights and Him catching me? I can’t know the flavors if I have not tasted. The Psalmist invites us to
“…taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8.
You see how tasting and trust go together with substance and evidence.
Faith comes not by feelings which are unreliable much of the time, but rather by the tangible ever-present realities around us, both physical and spiritual. Therefore, the elementary basis for faith is found in the facts and reasoning powers God provides in various venues in our lives, especially His word and creation. This will be an objective of this book, to find faith in the pages of God’s word which can be seen and tasted and then transferring this to a practical experience of faith in the One who made us. Faith is dynamic and active it is not a mental exercise of will power. God’s word, from Genesis to Revelation, tells of real people of the past who failed or excelled at faith. Their experiences will teach us to watch out and be cautious of their mistakes or learn how they succeeded at faith. “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” Romans 15:4. See also Hebrews 11.
Source of Real Faith
Real faith has its origin in God’s communication to mankind, primarily through chosen men who were inspired by God to write what they saw and experienced. Peter recognized that
“…holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit,”
2 Peter 1:2.
Luke desired to tell Theophilus what he knew as an observer at the time of Jesus,
“…it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,” Luke 1:3
These thirty-five or so “holy men” wrote down what they saw and experienced. If we read with a desire to know, we will be blessed with faith from their communications.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17.
Here is the primary origin of faith for all who wish to understand the mysteries of life and the universe. Since the prophets of old were moved by the Spirit of God to write, we are encouraged to read what they wrote, particularly if we seek to know more about God. If we do, our faith will have substance and evidence on which to build our faith in God. Faith in the true God will come when we hear the word of God. It has been said, “Little time in God’s word equals little faith. Much time in God’s word equals much faith.” This is logically true, but we will see there are other Biblical directives, not just reading, to nurture the seedling of faith so that it grows into a faith larger than a mustard seed. Herein is another purpose of this book. It is to get our answers from scripture first on the topic of faith, but then to move into a personal experience that can move the mountains of difficulties we face every day in a sin-sick world with its fake news and fake faith. As we will see, true faith is critical for the searcher of faith and especially for the long-term church member who may think the way they are going is right, but they may be on a road to destruction even as they ride to church every weekend.
God does not discount feelings. In fact, feelings can be a tool in the hand of an omnipotent God. For example, we may feel that something is not right in our lives because there is no peace and no real practical trust in God when times get tough or even in everyday challenges. These feelings can lead to a search for answers, but the feelings should never trump the facts found in the time-tested word of God.
Real Faith and The End
One last thought before we move on. Jesus insinuated by a rhetorical statement that faith would be scarce when He returned,
“when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).
Over the years, I have seen the power of God’s word to bring light to many people’s eyes and the creation of a new life full of forgiveness, happiness, determination, contentment, hope, and peace. I have seen the cruelest of men changed to loving faithful husbands and fathers. Equally inspiring transformations are those who were once unbelievers, doubters, and even atheists, who took up hearing and reading God’s word. It led to a complete change of mind and way of thinking. I was one of them. My way of thinking and feelings changed on a dare from my Christian wife. As we examine the people in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), we will discover the difference between real faith and fake faith. From there, my prayer is for each reader to experience faith that is real and a glory to our Creator and soon coming King.
[i] *New King James Version is used in this book unless otherwise noted.