Faith

Faith is an interesting word, we use it in many different formats throughout our day. Usually we just take it for granted and go through life knowing that faith in our life will support us. For instance, when you sit on a chair you have faith that the chair is going to hold you up, or when we drive across a bridge you take for granted that the bridge will still be standing until you get to the other side. Other areas of faith could be the trust we put in people. We trust that our friends will be there when we need them the most, or we put a lot of faith in our government officials to make the right decisions that will benefit our nation. Then there is the faith we have when it comes to spiritual matters.

I am a bit curious if we as humans really stop to think about just what faith is. Do we understand that faith is a part of our everyday life and we depend on it all the time? Why is faith such an important factor in our life yet we ignore it so often? When I go to bed tonight I do not think about whether I will wake up, and I don't think about such things as will my heart stay beating or will my lungs still take in oxygen. This could be called a natural faith in something that automatically works, I do not think about the how's of the process of life's function everyday, it just happens. Realizing that some things just happen and other things are based on trust doesn't really describe faith. So just what is faith?

If we look at the dictionary definition we would find that basic faith is putting our trust in something or someone. We trust that the chair will hold us up, we trust in the facts as we see them, we trust our friends will tell us the truth or be there for us. But what about the faith in those things that we cannot see or feel? How do we trust in something that we know to be true, but we cannot see it. Putting our trust in God and believing that His word is truth would fall into that realm of faith. So how can we describe this kind of faith so it makes sense enough for us to act on it?

First of all we need to determine the definition of faith according to its original meaning. So, lets look at the biblical definition of faith. We cannot look at man's understanding of faith as something we can see or touch because this is not really faith. Faith is something far deeper than what we can perceive with our eyes or sense of touch. Hebrews 11:1 states this; "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The following "link" was written by Martin Luther King, take a look at it and consider it. When we place our faith in something that we cannot see or touch we must put all of our trust into that area with all of our hearts.  

http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/luther/luther-faith.txt

Faith is something that we all have, whether it be in something tangible or in something not tangible, no matter what we put our faith in we must do it whole heartedly. So if we are going to say I believe in God, of which we cannot see or feel, then we must do it without doubting. We must "Trust" in the "Word" that He has given us. The "Word" according to the scriptures would be "Jesus Christ." In the gospel of John 1:1-4 it states that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; ^1:2The same was in the beginning with God. ^1:3All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. ^1:4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

If we are going to say we believe in God then we must use that faith that believes in something that we cannot feel or see. If we say we believe in God then we must accept His Word as it is, we cannot change His Word to fit our situation or circumstance, we cannot alter it to fit into the thinking of society or the worlds point of view, we cannot legislate it with laws or water it down to become suitable to our lifestyle. Faith is more than just saying that I believe in God, faith is an action word which requires us to put it to work. Faith in God requires us to "Trust" Him completely.   I believe in God, but do I trust Him enough to keep His Word and follow His commands? James 1:6-8 makes it very clear: ^1:6But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. ^1:7-8For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord; he is a doubleminded man, unstable in all his ways.

To make this simple, I believe it would be accurate to say that you either believe in God or you don't.  To have faith in God means that no matter what, your trust is in Him.  In life as we all know, the road we travel has many twist and turns in it.  There are also many ups and downs on this highway of life and we don't always know where the highway leads us.  For us to stay the course we have to have some kind of guidance.  You can choose to trust in yourself, or maybe someone you think knows the way, or you can trust in what society, the world, or even culture dictates as the right way.  Putting your trust in any of these is a form of faith to get you where you need to go, but these are all objects you can see or feel.  If you put your trust in God then your faith in Him will have to be a total trust that He will get you to your destination.  It is easy for us to say I have faith, but when God wants us to do something we have a choice, we either trust Him and do what He says (action/faith) or we don't (no action/no faith).    Read the following scriptures and see what God wants from us when it comes to faith.

James 2:14-26 says it this way: ^2:14What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? ^2:15If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food,^2:16and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? ^2:17Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. ^2:18Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith. ^2:19Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder. ^2:20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? ^2:21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? ^2:22Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; ^2:23and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God. ^2:24Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. ^2:25And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? ^2:26For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

Faith will bring about some form of works or action on our part to accomplish what God wants to do through us.  So if we say we have Faith in God, then know for certain, if you truly trust Him, you will be about His work. If you don't trust Him completely, your faith is in question.

Look at the following link for a clearer definition of Faith, pay attention to Dr. Freeman's conclusion on faith:  http://thegloryland.com/index.php?p=1_11_7-The-biblical-definition-of-faith-

In Christ,

Steve

Sarcasm

I have been giving some thought lately to the power of our words.  I believe to many times we take the words we speak for granted.  We convey our thoughts and relay our messages with our words.  You have heard the saying "sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me."  I used to say it when I was young and actually taught the expression to my children trying to ease the hurt from some unfriendly expressions directed towards them.  I would tell them that those expressions are just words and they can't hurt you.  Needless to say, that just wasn't true.  The words people use are powerful weapons that can be used to build up or tear down.  Below is one example of our choice of words that can be quite harmful. Sarcasm is a weapon that can if used right make a statement of something that may be wrong in some situations, but if used wrong, which I believe most of us do, can be a weapon that is used to destroy or at least belittle.  Look at the definition of "Sarcasm."  These definitions come from different sources but all carry the same meaning. –noun1.harsh or bitter derision or irony.2.a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark: a review full of sarcasms. Origin: 1570–80; < LL sarcasmus < Gk sarkasmós, deriv.of sarkázein to rend (flesh), sneer; see sarco-Synonyms:1. sardonicism, bitterness, ridicule.sar·casm    (sär'kāz'əm)    n.  A cutting, often ironic remark intended to wound.  A form of wit that is marked by the use of sarcastic language and is intended to make its victim the butt of contempt or ridicule.

Word Origin & History sarcasm  1579, from L.L. sarcasmos, from Gk. sarkasmos "a sneer, jest, taunt, mockery," from sarkazein "to speak bitterly, sneer," lit. "to strip off the flesh," from sarx (gen. sarkos) "flesh," prop. "piece of meat," from PIE base *twerk- "to cut" (cf. Avestan thwares "to cut"). 

I am bringing out this particular use of words because it is something we are all guilty of.  Yes, sticks and stones can break our bones, but they will heal. Words can and do hurt and can cause a lifetime of pain and suffering beyond what we may understand.  If the words we choose to use are for building up and encouraging then we can be assured those receiving those words will not suffer from the deep wounds of sarcasm.  Look at the definitions of sarcasm, "cutting remarks," "ridicule," "remark 
intended to wound," "make its victim the butt of contempt," "to strip off the flesh." The words we choose to use will either build up or tear down, which words would you rather be the recipient of?  Let me share with you a bit of the scriptures relating to the power of WORDS.  

The very first chapter and verse of the Bible give indication just how powerful words are, Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created..." How did God create anything, He spoke them into existence.  In John 1:1 it says the "Word was with God and the Word was God."  In other words, when Christ came to earth in the form of man, He was the Word of God. God is His Word.  Look at these scriptures that give us some good advice on the words we use: Proverbs is full of good advice, for instance Prov. 

15:1-2, "a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."  "The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly."Verse 4 says this; "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." Prov. 16:24 brings out the importance of the words we use, "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." 
Then in the 18th chapter, the 21st verse makes it plain, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."  I could go on and list many more scriptures about our use of words, but I believe these will bring out the point that our words are to be used wisely, and should be for encouraging and building up.  Some must be used for rebuke and correction but in the spirit of love. If we continually criticize, make sarcastic remarks, and find ways to belittle our fellow man, then be assured that your heart is not where it needs to be with the Lord.  Look at this one last scripture, Luke 6:45 "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."  

I am hoping that we all can take the time to reflect on our own lives for a time and take inventory on what is in our hearts.  There is nothing more important than our 
relationship with God, if we are distant from Him, our spirits cannot convey the Love He has for us to share with others.  Realize that what comes out of your mouth in the form of words is what truly is in your heart.  If one speaks words of love and encouragement and your relationship with God is right, then you will be as Prov. 15:4 says: "The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life.."  If your relationship with God is not where it should be then you may well fall into the last part of the verse, "but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."  I know that some may not like to hear these things, but for me, I choose to use words of encouragement and expressions of love.  I hope you will join me in this and take note of what words you use and 
how you use them.  Sarcasm can be used in some situations as long as it can bring about good, but lets be honest, most of us do not use Sarcasm for good so why not strike the use of it.  If you find yourself using words to bring hurt and judgment on others, especially those who are closest to you, make an effort to change or in=20 the sense that the scriptures demand, "Repent."  Repent means nothing more than "change direction."  If you yield your life to Christ then He will help you to 
bring about that change of direction.  I realize this is a bit long, but I believe it is important.  We are continually under attack from the enemy, satan, and he would like nothing more than to keep you from what God has for you.  Satan and his cohorts are out to not only destroy you, he wants to destroy your marriage, your family, and remove any hope from you.  Rest assured, Christ already won the battle, and we 
have an advocate in Him, all we have to do is "Trust and obey Him."

Thank you for taking the time to read this and think about what was said.  If you have other areas in your life that you would like some help with or need some advice, please feel free to e-mail me.  I will make every effort to answer your questions or help in any way I can.

In Christ,

Steve