Faith on Trial

Is it Working for You? If you really think of it, faith (believing) is always being questioned or asserted in our lives. Does faith then operate as its own separate entity or does it have an interconnectivity to life itself? We say that we have faith, until something happens to erode the hope and trust needed to sustain our faith.

Let’s prepare the case by first defining what faith is. Faith is belief, confidence, conviction, dependence, expectation, reliance, surrender, and trust. Faith is assurance and certainty. Faith is reasonable, seeks understanding, and does not conflict with science. It defies what our eyes see, to rest upon the promises of God – which we are certain of, that we cannot see.

Does having faith depend upon a select status or intellect or possession – who gets it? Faith is a gift from God, to which “all” are given a measure (Romans 12:3). Grace (the giving of unearned favor – something we actually do not deserve) enables faith. Our response to faith must always be freely given (without hidden motives). Faith makes it possible for us to accept Jesus as our Lord (salvation) – and to share in the life of the Holy Spirit.

Did faith exist before or after man, where did it come from? Considering that there was no thing that existed in the beginning except God, and God alone spoke everything (the universe) into creation (being) – faith had to have been present. Did God need faith? He naturally exudes faith. It’s part of His DNA in the way He thinks. God simply knows that what He says will happen!

If with the one who has faith, no explanation is necessary and for the one without faith, no explanation is possible – then why is faith even important? Facing life with all of its unknowns can weaken our faith, and cause us to lose hope – not only in ourselves, but also in any potential outcome in our lives. Much of hope lives in the mind; however, faith is immersed in the heart and the spirit. In this way faith affects our physical, mental, and social well-being. 

Could it be faith, unexplained by reason or logic or a single element, functioning around us all of the time? It’s what allows us to move from one moment to the next without falling apart over each action we take. Consider this: There is never a when that faith is not present. We drive cars, buy food, fly in airplanes, cross streets, go to work… all with the hope of a specific outcome that we don’t control – wouldn’t life fail without this faith?

Now the lawyer might ask if this evidence is sufficient in profiling the components of faith. Perhaps, but there is still that issue about how circumstances – what we see and feel – cloud our believing forward in faith where we cannot see.

The opposing attorney inquiries about how faith can override the mind from: Questioning whether God really loves us. Doubting God’s forgiveness and amazing grace. Letting feelings of discouragement, discontent, or unhappiness lead actions. Lacking the motivation to engage in spiritual things. Worrying about the future. Wondering if God is really in control.

I rest my case here, how we use our faith is determined by our concept of God. We get lost in wavering faith because we are often more concerned with the outcome of our faith position, when God is more concerned about the journey and the process. It’s through the journey and the process of pain, discomfort, and trial that faith is built and God develops in us what only the journey could. God doesn’t waste our pain or discomfort. Faith is that essential element that brings about the character, integrity, and maturity into our lives that God always intended.