I often quote the Biblical principle on our radio programmes that ‘now these three remain faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.’ This is taken from the excellent passage in 1 Corinthians 13 on the subject of genuine love. However this spiritual journey starts with genuine faith. Faith is defined as something or someone that we trust in, cling to and rely on.
‘And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’ This statement from the book of Hebrews in the Bible is for me a foundation principle of the Christian Faith.
So what is faith?
I’m tempted to begin by defining the terms (simple = straightforward, not complex; faith = the assurance of things hoped for; Christ = the Messiah, Jesus the only begotten Son of God). Therefore by semantic definition, simple faith in Christ is a straightforward certainty that Jesus — who we have never seen — truly exists and can be trusted with our eternal destiny.
But I find that definition unsatisfying on an emotional and spiritual level. On an emotional level, simple faith in Christ is the kind of trust a child has in a loving parent. It would never even enter the mind of a child raised in a loving home to ask if he or she will be fed, clothed, cared for, protected, comforted, forgiven… a child simply knows this and lives accordingly.
And yet simple faith in Christ requires a more adult definition in order to satisfy the spirit. In the words of the old Don Francisco song, “it’s not your food or drink, it’s not the way you dress… it’s to hear the Lord and to answer ‘yes'”. Obedience is the key. Everything in us cringes at the mere word obey and it immediately sparks an attitude of rebellion. Such is our fallen nature. But seen through the eyes of simple faith… to obey is the single greatest expression of trust. And it’s an expression of love towards the only One truly worthy of it, the only One who ever died to show us how much He loves us.
And the amazing thing about obedience is: the more you do it, the more faith grows, because every time, every time, this kind of simple faith is rewarded… directly, unmistakably, from His hand.
My wife and fellow traveller on the amazing journey of life, Kerry Cole, has just finished her novel ‘Exit Darcus’ which is available on Amazon with the sub title ‘faithfulness just got very sexy’. The book is about the incredible love that can be experienced through true faithfulness. A love that doesn’t use people as commodities, but experiences a love that is rock solid and deep and secure.
As the late Larry Norman said ‘our own opinions can make us blind’. Doubt your doubts and listen to your heart. You are here on earth for a purpose and there is only one unique you.
Life can make sense even in the tough times.