Ever since I knew about christianity, that was about 6 years ago, I have been thinking and wondering what does faith means. I can never get quite a satisfying answer about faith. Faith seems like a feeling, something unexplainable, indescribable.
The definition of faith in the bible is found in Hebrews 11:1
‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’
To me faith is like walking in a very foggy road, not knowing what lies ahead. But I will keep on walking because I trust that at the end of the road, I will find what I need.
Faith and trust are both intertwined. There need to be trust to have faith, and faith to have trust.
To christians, faith is the central part of our belief. Essentially, christianity = faith. We trust that God is the only God, He has control over everything, that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us so that we can be saved. We have faith in God from what we trust, that we will be saved and live eternally by believing in Jesus Christ.
I am constantly struggling with faith, with trust even as a christian now. There is no clear cut to what faith is. How can we have faith and trust into something we can’t see, can’t feel. Funny thing though is that I do this everyday in every decisions I made. I don’t know what the results might be but I have faith and trust that I made the right choice. However, it is particularly difficult in this case, in having a christian faith.
A friend shared with me this explanation of faith that she saw from her new bible (that had just arrived that day in her mailbox). I wrote the accompanying bible verses in here as well if you are interested in it.
FAITH:
F is for FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God’s forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7a)
A is for AVAILABE. Forgiveness is available. It is – Available for all (John 3:16). – But not automatic (Matthew 7:21a)
I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven. – Because of who He is: God is loving and just. His judgment is against sin (James 2:13a). – Because of who we are: Every person is a sinner (Romans 3:23)
T is for TURN. Turn means to repent. -Turn from something – sin and self (Luke 13:3b). -Turn to Someone; trust Christ only (Romans 10:9)
H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life. -Here (John 10;10b). -Hereafter (John 14:3)
Thanks to my friend who shared this with me. And thank God that I was able to hear this from my friend. I know a little bit more about faith now. Although, still puzzling which I will be as a christian in this life, I am glad that I am walking in this path of faith.
