A Faith That Saves
November 28, 2005
Dear Friends
Virtually everyone in the world, with the exception of those incapable of forming a coherent thought, is a creature of faith. The atheists will try and convince you that they are not, but they are. Faith is the basis for action in all rational human beings. Turning on a light switch is an act of faith. We flip the switch because we believe that it will cause the light to go on or off. Shopping is an act of faith. We go to a store and buy a tangible product or service simply by giving a person a piece of paper called money. Money works in society because people believe that the little piece of paper has measurable value. When people lose faith in those pieces of paper we get what we call inflation. In World War II Germany people used to carry wheelbarrows full of German marks to buy bread. Even something as simple as eating is an act of faith. When we get that rumbling in our stomach we believe that if we eat something that rumbling will go away. Time and experience strengthen our faith in various actions because it proves to us that our faith is justified. We could go on and on.
Obviously, we are not talking about Biblical faith or faith in God. The point is that everyone is a person of faith they simply pick and choose the system they put their faith in. Some put their faith in free enterprise. Other put their faith in democracy or socialism. Other put their faith in things continuing on as they always have. Most put their faith in a patchwork of various systems which may or may not include faith in God or a god. Many who put their faith (and that is exactly what it is – faith) in evolution mock those who put their faith in God. Those who put their faith in human governmental systems may think it ridiculous to put faith in God governing the Kingdom of Men. In the end, though, it is just one form or another of faith.
The only difference between faith systems is the basis of that faith. I believe that if I hit myself on the knee with a hammer as hard as I can, it will hurt. I’ve never done that before, but I have enough experience in matters of being injured that I can predict with a reasonable amount of confidence that my assertion is true. Most people would agree. What is the basis of that assertion? Experience. What is the basis of my belief that light actually travels 186,000 miles per second? Smart people who I trust told me that it is true. Some people who receive this email may actually be able to prove that fact mathematically or experimentally. I can’t, but I still believe it. Similarly, my faith in God has a basis. For me, part of my faith is experiential. Many times in life I have found that God saved me, guided me and aided me when I needed Him. Part of my faith is based on the truth of Scripture. It all fits together so well and has such amazing “undesigned†tie-ins that only God could have created it. I also believe because of Bible prophecies – especially those concerning Israel and the Jews which continue to play out in our day and time.
Differing beliefs have differing consequences. The belief that it will hurt if I hit myself in the knee with a hammer has limited consequences in my life. One significance is that I don’t hit myself in the knee with a hammer. Belief in God and belief in the Bible, on the other hand, has tremendous implications. It gives me confidence in life. It gives me hope. It dictates my morality. It has implications for what I do and what I won’t do. This last point is important. A key point is that regardless of what system or systems we put our faith in, it determines our actions. People of faith also are driven to act or not to act based on their faith.
I have suggested and will do so again now that people don’t have “walk†problems, they have walk symptoms of faith problems. Because we are all creatures who act based upon faith, a true maxim is “As you believe, so you will do.†The more you believe, the more you will do in accordance with that faith and the more you will avoid that which is not in accordance with that belief. The less you believe; the more walk issues you will have.
This is the faith of Abraham. Abraham believed that what God said was true. Abraham also believed that he must do what God said. Abraham believed God so much that he was willing to leave Ur and go to an as yet unknown land, conceive a son as he neared 100 years old and nearly sacrifice his son. Abraham’s faith is a model for our own….a faith that saves.
Have a great week!
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