Many in the world, and even some Christians, have a misunderstanding of
faith. To some it is something we build up like energy and when it reaches a certain level
we are able to accomplish miracles. To others it is blind faith which believes something
when, in fact, there is no basis for believing it. For example, many are convinced they
will be healed despite the fact there is no basis for their belief. The doctor has not
told them they will be healed and the facts are contrary to it, yet they would say they
have faith.
When asked to define faith most Christians would quote Hebrews 11:1
–"faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen." While true faith does produce a confidence with regard to things hoped for,
and a conviction of things not seen, these are the products of faith and not faith itself.
Faith is believing a divine testimony or revelation. Faith is
believing God when He speaks. The Christian then has a basis for His
belief—God’s Word. Many believe in God, but far fewer believe God when He
speaks. The first man Adam started man on a course of unbelief, and down through history
man has refused to believe God when He speaks.
Faith is always in response to a Divine message. "Who hath
believed our report?" (Isa. 53:1) "So faith then is by a report, but the report
by God's word." (Rom. 10:17 JND) "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners
spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto
us by his Son." (Heb. 1:1)
Those who have faith believe God, regardless of what He speaks about.
If He speaks about creation, they believe Him. (Heb. 11:3) If He speaks of coming
judgment, they believe Him. (Heb. 11:7) If He speaks of that which man has never seen,
they believe Him. (Heb. 11:8) It is believing God when He speaks that separates the
Christian from the unbelieving world around him, just as when Joshua and Caleb believed
God concerning the promise land and it separated them from the unbelieving nation of
Israel.
Whether God speaks concerning salvation, marriage, the future, money,
creation, or the operation of the local assembly, those who have faith believe Him. Now
this belief goes beyond whatever our senses tell us. Regardless of what our sight, touch,
feelings, or our reasonings may tell us, faith believes God when He speaks.
Faith which believes God always results in appropriate action. (James
2:20) Whether it is repentance, building an ark, or walking around a city, when we believe
what God says it will always lead us to action, even if that action is standing still and
seeing His salvation. (Ex. 14:13)
May the Lord increase our faith. (Luke 17:5) May we learn to believe
God when He speaks, regardless of the subject. May we willingly submit to His Word and act
accordingly.