TalkPoint: Faith

Hey Everybody!

This week at Relevant we discussed what faith is and why we need to have faith in God. In this week's talkpoint we will be looking at some very important passages from the Bible regarding this very important issue of FAITH.

First let's start by asking the question: "What is faith?"

In the book of Hebrews chapter 11 beginning in verse 1 we read:
"Faith is the confidence that we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." NLT

I like the Rob Lacey's Word on the Street paraphrase of this verse:
"What's 'taking God at his word' mean? Let me fill you in. It's being dead sure of our prospects. It's being sold on something we've no evidence for, convinced when there's no proof." WOTS

When we take a look at the definition of FAITH from Random House Inc. Dictionary we see that the definition is very complex but pointed:

FAITH (noun)

1.
confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability.
2.
belief that is not based on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.
3.
belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion: the firm faith of the Pilgrims.
4.
the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc.: Failure to appear would be breaking faith.
5.
Christian Theology. the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.

Faith is a lot like the wind. You can feel it, hear it move through the trees, but you can't see it. Faith is not an easy term to grasp, but I would bet on one thing: We all have a faith of some kind. Even atheists who claim to believe in "nothing" believe in something. (That something simply being nothing)

If we look closely at the definition in part 2 the dictionary clearly explains that faith is a belief not based on proof. I want to challenge your thinking today. Do you really think God left no proof of His existence? Romans 1: 20 "For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." NLT If we look closely at this verse we can see that God left proof for us through his creation--the earth in all its beauty.

We, being wonderful creations of God (Psalm 139:13-18), also have within each of us a yearning to know our creator. If we look a verse before Romans 1:20 we see that in Romans 1:19 "They know the truth about God because it is obvious to them." NLT I especially like the New American Standard Bible which translates that verse like this "because that which is known about God is evident within them [man]; for God made it evident to them." Have you ever found yourself wondering, there must be more than just this, just this single life that I have? I have wondered that. A few years ago (about 10) I remember having a deep longing in my heart for something I could not explain. I knew this feeling, emotion, whatever you want to call it was burning in my heart and I couldn't seem to find anything or anyone to fuel the flame. Then one day, I heard a man talking about this amazing God who loved me personally and wanted to fill that hole in my heart that no one or anything else could fill. I was blown away. There was something more... and this something more was God. You see, God gives us each a deep desire to know Him personally. God sent His Son Jesus, to this earth to live a perfect and sinless life, die a horrible death and then in three days raise from death to life to overcome the power of sin and death. Jesus went through all of this so that I could be forgiven of my sins. You see the amazing thing is God offered me a relationship with Him through Jesus but even more than that this relationship doesn't begin when we die, but when we accept Jesus as our Savior from this sinful nature we posses.


You see when we talk about faith we first understand that we posses within ourselves the very desire to know God and understand His nature. Let's take a look just a little deeper into Romans 1:20. The word understand as it is used in Romans 1:20 comes from the Greek word nŏiĕō (Pron. noy-eh´-o) means to exercise the mind (observe) to comprehend; consider. When we talk about this verse we can know that God exists and understand that He Himself is divine but we will never fully understand or observe and comprehend who He is personally unless we believe through faith that Jesus was the Son of God and that He came to bring us freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life.

Faith is very complex in word and deed but I want to encourage you there is only one way to get to God and Heaven and that is through Jesus. John 14:6 Jesus says "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the father but through me." You may think well, I am a really good person and do a lot of good things, surely this is enough to get me to Heaven... Good works are not enough. Believing in Jesus is the only way. Freedom from sin and eternal punishment is available through Jesus and is a free gift from God that He offers through His amazing grace to all people. (Eph. 2:8-9) If you have been experiencing a void or longing in your heart and haven't found the answer to that longing, God wants you to turn to Him, believe in His Son Jesus, and commit to Him your life. It is so simple that it is mind boggling. But trust me, God offers this gift of deliverance from sin freely and He wants you to know Him personally.

This video from Nooma Productions featuring Rob Bells is a perfect example of what we are talking about. Check it:

I am always available if you need anything please don't hesitate to call or email. My information can be found at http://www.newlifexn.org/ on the left hand side of the page toward the bottom.

Until next week my dudes and dudettes LIVE LOUDER for God! :)





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