F A I T H
What is faith? 1 Tim. 3:9 calls it a mystery. Is it something real or just imaginary? Is it just a "positive attitude" to strive for when we have doubts or disbelief? Is it merely psychological self-delusion, a stress-reducer to soothe a guilty conscience? Or is it something we can demonstrate in ourselves and see in others? Is it what we believe or is it what we do? Or is it both? Can faith make a difference in our lives, helping us to endure life's trials and persecution? What can it accomplish for us and what can it allow God to accomplish through us?
Here are some of the questions and scriptures to help us understand faith:
1. How important is faith?Heb. 11:6; Acts 13:48; 1 Cor. 1:21; Gal. 3:5-9; Col. 2:12-13; Hab. 2:4;
2 Cor. 1:24; Jn. 11:25-27; Heb. 10:39; Rom. 1:16-20; Lk. 16:10; Heb. 6:1;
Mat. 17:20; Lk. 18:8.2. Is faith required or commanded?
1 Jn. 3:23; Col. 1:21-23; Ex. 14:13-14; Deu. 20:1-4; Jn. 6:29, 47; Rom. 14:23;
Mat. 23:23; Gal. 2:20.3. What is faith?
Heb. 11:1.
4. Is it also known as "belief"?
Jn. 20:27, 29; Mk. 9:23; Acts 13:39; Jn. 11:26.
5. Is it also called "trust"?
Psa. 37:40.
6. Is it also called "confidence"?
Eph. 3:12; Heb. 10:22.
7. Can it also be called "hope"?
Rom. 8:24-25; Col. 1:4-6, 27; 1 Ths. 1:3; 5:8; 1 Tim. 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:21;
Heb. 6:18-19; 11:1.8. Can the words "faithful" and "faith" mean more than one thing?
Obedient? 1 Cor. 4:2; Rev. 2:10.
Gospel? Jude 1:3.
Dependable, trustworthy? Acts 6:7; 14:22; 16:5; Col. 2:6-8; Mat. 25:14-30; Mat. 24:43-46; Lk. 16:10-12.
9. If we only believe what we can see, is that faith?
Heb. 11:1; Job 35:14; Jn. 4:25, 28-30, 39-42; Jn. 6:14, 66-69; 7:31; 2 Cor. 5:7;
1 Pet. 1:7-8.10. Is the keeping of the law, the same thing as faith?
Gal. 3:11-12.
11. Is it easy to find men and women of faith?
Psa. 12:1; Jn. 6:66-67; 16:32; Acts 1:15; 2:1-4; Mat. 24:3, 10-12; Lk. 18:8;
Mat. 8:10.12. Will there be some among the faithful who have no faith?
2 Tim. 3:1-8, esp. 5, 7, and 8; Jude 17-21.
13. Can one lose faith?
Lk. 22:32; 1 Tim. 1:19-20.
14. What can happen if one loses faith?
Mat. 17:14-21; 1 Tim. 1:19-20; Rom.11:20; Jas. 1:5-8; Jn. 3:18, 36; 2 Ths. 3:2;
1 Tim. 4:1-3, 16; 5:11-13.15. What are the results of a lack of faith?
2 Chrn. 16:7-9; Mat. 17:14-21; Deu. 31:24--32:43, esp. 32:20; 1 Jn. 5:10.
16. Does a lack of faith inhibit spiritual growth?
1 Tim. 1:19-20.
17. Does the amount of faith vary among different people?
Eph. 4:12-15; Mk. 9:24; Lk. 7:1-9; Mk. 4:40; 5:34; 10:52; Rom. 12:3, 6;
Mat. 6:30; 8:10, 26; 14:31; 15:28; 16:8; 17:20; Rom. 14:1, 22-23; 2 Ths. 3:2; Tit. 1:13; 2:2.18. Is there a prerequisite or a starting point for having faith?
Rom. 10:17.
19. Can our faith grow or be increased?
2 Pet. 1:2; Mk. 9:24; 2 Ths. 1:3; Lk. 17:5; 2 Cor. 10:15; 1 Ths. 3:10.
20. How long does it take to achieve faith?
Jn. 9:1-38 esp. 35-38; Lk. 23:39-43; Acts 2:38-47.
21. Faith is the fruit of what?
1 Cor. 12:9; Gal. 5:22.
22. What is the fruit of faith?
Gal. 3:2, 5, 14; Heb.11:1-40; Jas. 1:3.
Note: Questions 21 and 22 would seem to be circular and contradictory. Paul spoke of God's righteousness being revealed by "faith unto faith" (Rom. 1:17). In
1 Cor. 12:9 and Gal. 5:22, we see that faith is a gift from God through his Holy Spirit.
In Gal. 3:2, 14, we learn that we receive the Holy Spirit because of faith. So which comes first?
If we remember that God was first (Gen. 1:1) and that repentance (requiring some knowledge and understanding) is a gift (Acts 11:18; Rom. 2:4; 2 Tim. 2:25) and that faith comes by hearing (Rom. 10:17) then we can understand that God gives us enough faith to get started (to repentance and to be baptized) but that he expects us to increase in faith (No. 19 above).
Read the parables of "pounds" and "talents" and insert the word faith in place of "pounds" and "talents" (Mat. 25:14-30, Lk. 19:11-27).23. Were the miracles recorded to help our faith?
Jn. 20:30-31.
24. Examples of faith in scripture:
Heb. 11:1-40; Jn. 11:1-45 esp. 21-27, 39-40; 1 Sam. 14:6; 17:34-37, 45-49;
Jn. 20:27-29; Psa. 3:5-6; 17:6; 25:1-5; 27:1; Dan. 3:16-18; 1 Tim. 1:16;
2 Cor. 4:8-18; Mat. 8:5-13.25. How can we recognize faith in ourselves?
2 Cor. 13:5; Eph. 3:9-12; Acts 11:17; Jn. 7:38-39 with Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Tim. 1:5;
1 Tim. 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:5; 2:22.26. What can be accomplished with faith?
Heb. 11:1 - 12:2; Mat. 15:21-28; Mk. 9:14-29.
27. How does faith help us?
Eph. 6:16.
28. How does faith affect access to God?
Heb. 10:19-23.
29. What is our Father's response when we have faith?
Love? Jn. 16:27.
Gift of the Holy Spirit? Acts 11:17.30. What part should faith play in our daily lives?
1 Jn. 5:4-5; Heb. 10:38; Jas. 1:2-8; Psa. 62:8; Pro. 3:5-6; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 1:17; Isa. 26:4; Mat. 6:25-34; Lk. 12:22-32; Pro. 3:24-26; 16:3.
31. In what things should we not trust, or not have faith?
1 Tim. 6:17; Pro. 3:5, 7-8.
32. In what or in whom are we to have faith?
Heb. 12:2; Gal. 3:22; Phil. 3:9; 1 Ths. 1:8; Col. 2:5; Pro. 3:5; Psa. 4:5; Jn. 6:29,35; Act. 20:21; 24:24; 1 Tim. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:21; Rom. 3:22; Phil. 4:13; 2 Tim. 3:15;
1 Cor. 15:14-17; 2 Tim. 1:12-13.33. What is the proper source or basis of our faith?
Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 2:5; 12:8-9; 2 Pet. 1:1; Eph. 2:8; Lk. 17:5; Mat. 17:14-21; Heb. 4:16; 6:18-19.
34. Are there different kinds of faith?
Eph. 4:5, 13; 2 Cor. 4:13; Tit. 1:4; 2 Pet. 1:1; Jude 3.
35. Will behavior vary among those with faith?
Eph. 4:13 (Note that this scripture says, "until we all come in(to) the unity of the faith" indicating that the church was not yet in full unity at the time of Paul. His letters dealing with differences of opinions and doctrines confirm this.)
36. Can we recognize faith in others?
Heb. 6:12; Jn. 7:38-39 with Gal. 5:22-23; Rom. 1:8; Gal. 6:10; Eph. 1:15;
Col. 1:4; 1 Ths. 1:3, 8; 3:5,6; 2 Ths. 1:4; Tit. 1:1; 3:15; Phil. 5.37. Is faith all that is necessary?
Prayer? Mk. 11:24.
Obedience? 1 Jn. 3:20-24.
Patience? Psa. 27:14; Psa. 37:7; Heb. 2:1-4; Heb. 6:12.
Diligence, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity? 2 Pet. 1:5-10.
38. What other qualities would the "faithful" possess?
Pro. 11:13; 14:5; 20:6; 25:13; 27:6; 2 Sam. 20:19; Mat. 24:42-45;
Mat. 25:14-30; Lk. 12:41-48; 16:10-12; 19:12-27; Gal. 5:22-23.39. How does faith relate to encouraging others?
Isa. 35:3-4; 1 Ths. 3:2, 7.
40. How does faith relate to fellowship?
Heb. 10:19-25.
41. Is our faith to be an example to others?
1 Tim. 4:12.
42. How are we to respond to those whom we perceive as being "weak in the faith"?
Rom. 14:1-23.
43. Do men have any "dominion" over your faith?
2 Cor. 1:24; Mat. 20:25-26a; Heb. 13:7 (see marginal note, "who are the guides" in lieu of "have rule over you" ).
44. What did Christ say about it?
Lk. 18:8; Mat. 21:21-22; Mk. 9:23; 11:22-24; Jn. 11:25-27; Rev. 2:13, 19.
45. What did the apostles teach about faith?
Rom. 15:13; 2 Cor. 1:24; Jas. 2:1-10; 2 Cor. 8:7; 1 Tim. 5:8; 6:11-12;
Gal. 3:1-29; 1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 4:7-8; Heb. 4:1-11; 6:11-12; Rom. 3:3-4;
1 Pet. 3:5-7; 1 Cor. 16:13; Acts 15:9, 11; 16:31; Rom. 10:9; 1 Pet. 2:6;
Eph. 1:12-16.46. Is faith mentioned in the Old Testament?
Num. 21:34; Deu. 3:1, 2, 22; 7:17-21; 2 Chrn. 20:15, 17; 2 Chrn. 15:1-8;
Psa. 115:9, 11; 130:7; Deu. 31:1-8; Josh. 1:5-6, 9.47. How does faith relate to sin?
Rom. 14:23.
48. How does faith relate to materialism?
1 Tim. 6:10-12.
49. How does faith relate to repentance?
Mk. 1:15.
50. How does faith relate to baptism?
Acts 8:27-38, esp. 37-38.
51. How does faith relate to justification?
Rom. 4:3; 5:1-2; Gal. 3:8, 11, 24, 26-29; Rom 3:22-31; Gal. 2:16; Col. 1:20-23.
52. How does faith relate to sanctification?
Acts 26:18; 15:9.
53. How does faith relate to overcoming?
1 Jn. 5:4.
54. How does faith relate to righteousness?
Rom. 4:1-5:2; Phil. 3:9; Rom 9:30-33; 10:6-7; Gal. 5:5; Eph. 3:17-19;
Heb. 11:7.55. How does faith relate to salvation?
Eph. 2:8; Hab. 2:4; Isa. 30:15; Psa. 37:39-40; Jn. 20:30-31; Jn. 3:14-18, 36; 5:24; Lk. 7:36-50, esp. verse 50; Rom. 10:6-9; 11:19-25; Rom. 1:17; 2 Ths. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:3-10; 1 Tim. 2:15; 6:11-12; Heb.10:38; Mk. 16:16; Acts 10:43;
1 Jn. 5:10-11, 13; Gal. 3:11; 2 Tim. 3:15.56. How does faith relate to knowledge?
2 Tim. 3:15.
57. How does faith relate to understanding?
Jn. 12:35-36, 46; Rom. 1:17.
58. How does faith relate to truth?
1 Tim. 6:20-21; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:18; Tit. 1:1-2.
59. How does faith relate to "the Gospel"?
Heb. 4:2; Phil 1:27.
60. How does faith relate to love?
1 Cor. 13:2, 13; Gal. 5:6; Eph. 6:23.
61. How does faith relate to the law?
1 Ths. 2:13; Rev. 14:12; Psa. 119:86, 137-138.
62. How does faith relate to grace?
Rom. 5:2.
63. How does faith relate to circumcision (and Jewish ceremonial law)?
Gal. 5:6.
64. How does faith relate to obedience?
Neh. 7:2; 1 Jn. 3:20-24; 1 Jn. 5:4; Rom. 1:5; 16:26.
65. How does faith relate to "works"?
Jas. 2:1-26.
66. How does faith relate to "answered prayer"?
Jas. 1:5-8; 1 Jn. 5:14; Psa. 37:5; Mat. 17:14-21; Mk. 11:22-24; Psa. 17:6-7.
67. How does faith relate to miracles?
Jn. 20:30-31.
68. How does faith relate to power?
Mk. 11:12-14, 20-23; Lk. 17:6; Jn. 1:12; Jn. 14:1, 10-14; Mat. 21:21.
69. Does faith affect healing?
Mat. 9:22, 29; Lk. 8:43-48, 49-56; Acts 3:16; Mat. 17:14-21; Lk. 18:35-43; Mk. 2:5; Acts 14:9-10; Jas. 5:15.
70. How does faith relate to perseverance?
Heb. 10:1-13; 1 Chrn. 29:17; 2 Ths. 1:3-5; 1 Pet. 1:6-9, 13; Mat. 13:18-23; Heb. 11:13.
71. How does faith relate to patience?
Heb. 6:13-15; 11:1, 39-40; Jas. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:6-7.
72. How does faith relate to persecution and trials?
Eph. 6:16; 1 Ths. 5:8; 2 Ths. 1:4; Heb. 10:23, 38; Jas. 1:3.
73. How does faith relate to joy?
Phil. 1:25.
74. What rewards or blessings are offered to the faithful?
Life? Hab. 2:4.
Protection? Psa. 18:30; Pro. 30:5; Jer. 39:18; 2 Sam. 22:31; Psa. 33:18-19.
Blessings? Psa. 40:4; Pro. 28:25.
Confidence? Psa. 31:24; 125:1; Pro. 14:26.
Safety? Pro. 29:25; Psa. 31:19-20.
Peace? Isa. 26:3.
Inheritance? Isa. 57:13.
Recognition by God? Nah. 1:7.
Courage? Psa. 31:24; Isa. 41:10-14; 43:1-3, 5, 10.
Food? Psa. 37:3.
The "covenant promises"? Gal. 3:7, 9; Rom. 4:13; Heb. 6:12; 10:35-36.
Definitions:
From "Strong's Concordance", we find several different words used: faith, faithful, faithfully, faithfulness, faithless.
These are translated from the following Hebrew and Greek words:
Faith:
(Hebrew)
529. emuwn, (from 539) established, trusty, trustworthiness:--faith, faithful, truth.530. emuwnahor emunah, (form of 529) firmness, security, fidelity:--faith, faithful, faithfully, faithfulness, stability, steady, truth, truly, verily.
(Greek)
3640. oligopisto, (from 3641 and 4102) incredulous, i.e. lacking confidence in Christ:--of little faith.4102. pistis, (from 3982) persuasion, i.e. credence, (mor.) conviction (of religious truth or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher) esp. reliance upon Christ for salvation, abst. constancy in such profession; by ext. the system of religious
(Gospel) truth itself; assurance:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.1680. elpis, from elpo(to anticipate, usually with pleasure) expectation (abst. or conc.) or confidence:--faith, hope.
Faithfulness:
(Hebrew)
530. (See "faith" above).5339. kuwn, prop. to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular) hence (caus.) to set up in a great variety of app. (lit. establish, fix, prepare, apply) or fig. (appoint, render sure, proper, or prosperous) [see Strong's for complete list].
Faithless:
(Greek)
571. apistos, from I (as a neg. particle) and 4103, (act.) disbelieving, i.e. without Chr. faith (spec. a heathen); (pass.) untrustworthy (person) or incredible (thing):--that believeth not, faithless, incredible thing, infidel, unbeliever (-ing).Faithful:
(Hebrew)
539. amin, prop. to build up or support, to foster as a parent or nurse, fig. to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe [see Strong's for complete list].571. emeth, contr. from 539, stability, fig. certainty, truth, trustworthiness:--assured (-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.
530. (See "faith").
529. (See "faith").
540. aman, corresp. to 539: faithful, believe, sure.
(Greek)
4103. pistos, from 3982, obj. trustworthy, subj. trustful:--believe (-ing, -r), faithful (-ly), sure, true.Faithfully:
(Hebrew)
530. (See "faith").571. (See "faithful").
(Greek)
4103. (See "faithful").Above we see "faith" defined from the Hebrew and Greek as "trust", "belief", "confidence" and "hope". When we look at all these words in both Hebrew and Greek, we find that while they are often translated from a variety of Hebrew and Greek words, they are mostly interchangeable. In other words, when you read any one of them, you could also substitute or add all the others.
Hope:
(Hebrew)
8615. tiqvah, fig. expectancy:--expectation (-ed), hope, life, thing that I long for.4723. miqveh, or mikveh, something waited for, confidence obj., or subj. collection . . .
3176. yachal, to wait, by impl. to be patient, hope:-- (cause to, have, make to ) hope, stay, tarry, trust, wait.
3689. kecel, prop. fatness, i.e. by impl. the loin (as the seat of the leaf fat) or (gen.) the viscera, fig. silliness or (in a good sense) trust:-- confidence, flank, folly, hope, loin.
8431. toweheleth, expectation:-- hope.
983. betach, prop. a place of refuge, abst. safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust), often safely.
982. batach, prop. to apply for refuge, fig. to trust, be confident or sure:-- be bold, [see Strong's for complete list].
7664. seber, expectation: -- hope.
2620. chacah, to flee for protection, fig. to confide in: --have hope, make refuge, (put) trust.
986. bittachown, trust: -- confidence, hope.
7663. sabaror shabar, to scrutinize: -- by impl. (of watching) to expect (in hope and patience).
2976. yaash, to desist, i.e. (fig.) to despond, cause to despair, one that is desperate, be no hope.
4268. machaceh, or machceh, a shelter (lit. or fig.):--hope, (place of) refuge, shelter, trust.
2342. chuwl, or chiyl, to twist or whirl i.e. spec. To dance, writhe in pain (esp. parturition) or fear, fig. to wait, to
pervert:--(see Strong's for complete list).(Greek)
1679. elpizo, to expect or confide:-- (have, thing) hope (-d), (for), trust.1680. (See "faith").
Hoped:
(Hebrew)
7663. (See "hope").982. (See "hope").
3176. (See "hope").
(Greek)
1679. (See "hope").Hope's:
(Greek)
1679. (See "hope").Hopeth:
(Greek)
1679. (See "hope").Confidence:
(Hebrew)
982. (See "hope").986. (See "hope").
3690. kiclah, in a good sense, trust; in a bad sense, silliness:--confidence, trust.
4009. mibtach, (from 982), prop. a refuge i.e. (obj) security or (subj.) assurance:-- confidence, hope, sure, trust.
3689. (See hope).
985. bitchah, (form of 984), trust:--confidence.
3954. parrhesia, all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity:-- by impl. assurance (see Strong's for complete list).
4006. pepoithesis, reliance:-- confidence, trust.
3982. peitho, to convince, to pacify or conciliate, to assent, to rely (see Strong's for complete list).
2292. tharrheo, to exercise courage, be bold, x boldly, have (be) confidence (-t).
5287. hupostasis, a setting under (support), i.e. (fig.) conc. essence or abst. assurance.
Confidences:
(Greek)
4009. paras, (same as 4008), an extremity:--end, utmost or uttermost part.Confident:
(Hebrew)
982. (See "hope").(Greek)
3982. (See "confidence").2292. (See "confidence").
5287. (See "confidence").
Confidently:
(Greek)
1340. diischurizomai, to stout it through, i.e. asservate:-- confidently (consistently) affirm.Belief:
(Greek)
4102. (See "faith").Believe:
(Hebrew)
539. (See "faithful").(Greek)
4100. pisteuo, (from 4102) to have faith (in, upon, with respect to person or thing), i.e. credit, by impl. to entreat (esp. one's spiritual well-being to Christ):-- believe, (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.569. apisteo, (from 571), to be unbelieving, i.e. trans. disbelieve or (by impl.) disobey:-- believe not.
544. apeitheo, (from 545), to disbelieve (willfully and perversely):-- not believe, disobedient, obey not, unbelieving.
571. (See "faithless").
4103. (See "faithful").
4102. (See "faith").
Believed:
(Hebrew)
539. (See "faithful").540. (See "faithful").
(Greek)
4100. (See "believe").569. (See "believe").
4135. plerophoreo, (from 4134 and 5409), to carry out fully (in evidence), i.e. completely assure (or convince) entirely accomplish:-- most surely believe, fully know (persuade) make full proof of.
Believers:
(Greek)
4100. (See "believe").4103. (See "faithful").
Believest:
(Greek)
4100. (See "believe").Believeth:
(Hebrew)
539. (See "faithful").(Greek)
4100. (See "believe").569. (See "believe").
544. (See "believe").
4102. (See "faith").
571. (See "faithless").
4103. (See "faithful").
Believing:
(Greek)
4100. (See "believe").4103. (See "faithful").
Trust:
(Hebrew)
2620. (See "hope").982. (See "hope").
539. (See "faithful").
4009. (See "confidence").
3176. (See "hope").
2342. (See "hope").
(Greek)
1679. (See "hope").3982. (See "confidence").
4100. (See "believe").
1679. (See "hope").
4006. (See "confidence").
Trusted:
(Hebrew)
2620. (See "hope").539. (See faithful").
982. (See "hope").
1556. galal; to roll (lit. or fig.):-- commit, remove, roll (away, down, together), run down, seek occasion, trust, wallow.
7365. rechats (Chald) [Babylonian]; corresponding to 7364 . . .; to attend upon:--trust.
(Greek)
3982. (See "confidences")1679. (See "hope").
4276. proelpizo; from 4253 and 1679; to hope in advance of other confirmation:--first trust.
Trustest:
(Hebrew)
982. (See "hope").Trusteth:
(Hebrew)
982. (See "hope").2620. (See "hope").
(Greek)
1679. (See "hope").Trusting:
(Hebrew)
982. (See "hope").Trusty:
(Hebrew)
539. (See "faithful").
The View of Mainstream Christianity
From an editorial on the subject of faith and baptism:
"Many "orthodox" Christians define real faith as "the belief that we are saved by faith and faith alone". Rarely do any of the "faith elite" attempt to define what faith really is. To most people these days, the word faith means whatever our turn-of-the-21st-century American culture says it means. . . . our pop-Christian culture (has decided) that the sphere of thought is where the "real" stuff happens. All that occurs outside our skulls is "works", and we know "works" don't save us. Jesus thought the thought. Matter doesn't matter.
Is it possible that we credit ourselves with having faith in God when all we really have is faith in faith? Of course this approach to faith serves our American lifestyle very well. It allows us to live as we please as long as we believe all the right things in hour heads.
And life in America, with all the disposable time and income available, can be very pleasing. When the future's so bright, you gotta wear shades, faith in faith won't get in the way. This is the faith that sells."
(Source: http://www.sheepcomics.com/editorials/beach/ebeach/htm)
CONCLUSIONS
Faith encompasses not only what we believe about God and his expectations for us, but also our degree of hope, trust, confidence and belief in his instructions and promises as recorded in scripture and as understood through his Holy Spirit working in us. A lack of faith was Christ's main complaint about the disciples of the first century (Mk. 4:40). Of all the qualities or characteristics he desires to see in his followers at his second coming, he publicly speculated about only one, and that was "faith" (Lk. 18:8) Faith is so important that without it, it is "impossible to please him (God)". (Heb. 11:6).
It originates from God as a gift, and through it, we can receive the Holy Spirit, which enables us, if we exercise it, to grow and increase in faith. God reveals it to us by the accounts of the great works which he accomplished through people such as Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, the prophets, and Jesus Christ. Our faith can be increased by believing these accounts as preserved, or our faith can be stunted or diminished by reasoning around or explaining away the miraculous aspects.
Christ said, "blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed". In other words, believed that which according to man's knowledge of nature and science, is impossible.Faith cannot be based on what is seen because, by definition, faith is belief in what is not seen (2 Cor. 5:7). Belief in what is seen is temporary and can be quickly replaced by doubt and disbelief because one is walking mostly or entirely by sight.
(Compare Ex. 4:29-31; 5:19-21; 14:8-14, 30-31; 16:1-3; 17:1-4; 24:7; 32:1-8; Mat. 14:22-31; Jn. 6:47-51, 63-69; Mat. 26:56, 69-75.)Trust or confidence based on what can be seen, is not true faith. Therefore, confidence or faith based on one's possessions, wealth, well-stocked pantry, emergency supplies, physical defenses, corporate worship affiliation, health, skills, physical resources, network of acquaintances, physical location, cash-on-hand, or physical planning, is not faith. The accumulation of such things or the making of preparations for emergencies does not prove a lack of faith but some, including God, could interpret it that way.
Somewhere between rolling up one's car windows when rain is expected, and stockpiling gold coins and automatic weapons in preparation for "the end", many look for an ideal balance between doing nothing and doing everything.We note that one Hebrew word, kecel, translated as confidence and hope and defined as trust (all equivalent of faith), has both the meaning "silliness" and in a positive sense, "trust". In other words, faith in the wrong thing and faith in the right thing are both called kecel, but the meaning in one case is "silliness" and in the other "trust". Compare, "If I have made gold my hope, [silliness] . . . (Job 31:24), with, "That they might set their hope [trust or faith] in God, . . ." (Psa. 78:7)
Christ said, regarding physical preparations for food, clothing and shelter, "take no thought" (Mat. 6:24-34; Lk. 12:22-34). Some look at the Greek words used here and say that "no" here is not as absolute as the word "no" used elsewhere, and thereby semantically justify Christ's statement, saying that Christ didn't really mean "no thought". Some use Paul's comment about lazy busybodies among the Thessalonians to qualify Christ's instructions to the multitudes in his sermon on the mount (Mat. 6).
Others will quote Solomon's instructions to the sluggard whose principle activity was sleeping, "Go to the ant, . . . (who) provideth her meat in the summer, . . ." (Pro. 6:6-11).Instead of "explaining" Christ through Greek variations, or Paul's and Solomon's admonition to "dead-beats", we could look at Christ's own explanation. "And [Christ] commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no script [a wallet or leather pouch for food], no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats." (Mk. 6:8-9). The Greek word used here for "no" (Strong's 3361), is the same as used in Mat. 6 and Lk. 12 above.
The Greek word for "nothing" is Strong's 3367 medis (from 3361 no, and 1520 one [the numeral]) and has the meanings "not even one, no, not at all, nothing". So when Christ told them "no. . ., no. . ., no . . ." in Mk 6, just how much money and food and how many coats did he really mean?
[This subject will be continued at length in a forthcoming article. We'll stop here with Christ's words to the blind, " . . . According to your faith be it unto you." (Mat. 9:29).]It is not easy to find men and women of faith (Psa. 12:1). Even in Christ's presence, with thousands witnessing his miracles, faith was a rare quality (Jn. 16:32; Mat. 8:10; 17:16-17).
This is, or should be amazing to us, when we consider that faith is directly related to every aspect of our physical and spiritual lives as shown by all the questions and scriptures listed above.
We know that Christ will find a "few" with faith when he returns (Mat. 24:22; 7:14; 20:16; 22:14). Paul encouraged the Corinthians, "Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith: prove your own selves. . . ." (2 Cor. 13:5).
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