Do you have faith? I do. Does the object of your faith matter? I believe it does. Can you have faith in faith? I do not think so. If it matters what the object of your faith is, who is the object of your faith? Let me share with you what I learned.
The dictionary defines faith as allegiance or duty to someone, fidelity in one’s promises, sincerity of intentions or belief, trust and loyalty to a god, or firm belief in something for which there is no proof. I find it interesting that the last part of the definition is “there is no proof” of faith. It would seem there needs to be an object for your faith even if it is in yourself.
I have found the Bible’s definition of faith is certainly more complete and how it points to the object of real faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3 (ESV) The object of real faith is God, His Word, and His promises. I would encourage you to take time to read Hebrews 11 and learn a better understand of real faith.
I have also noticed two other things. God’s faithfulness is not dependent on me, but it is dependent on Him. “if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV) My faithfulness does not come from my own making, but is a gift from God. It says in Galatians 5: 22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (ESV)
So, real faith is faith in the God of the universe and all of His promises. To have that kind of faith you must first accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. The Bible is very clear that Jesus is the only way to salvation. It is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. If you have not done so find out how.
It is with this kind of faith that I have everlasting hope for a future that is absolutely perfect.
I pray you will join me in having real faith in the God who never changes, who will never be unfaithful to us, whose steadfast love endures forever, and who loves us so much He sent His Son Jesus Christ to restore relationship with Him. Finally know that God has something new every morning for us. It is these things that give you hope. Remember from past blogs that it is by knowing God that we have hope. The relationship with God through Jesus brings us hope in the present and the future. I would also encourage you to seek Jesus for He is the only opportunity there is to have eternal life. This is to me the greatest source of hope. In doing so, I believe we will have hope and joy during our everyday lives. Understanding that Jesus Christ allows us to access eternal life, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3 (ESV) This will allow us to have hope. At the same time understanding you will live eternally knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ and this will bring you the greatest hope. Because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross satisfied the penalty for sins. His payment satisfies all my sins from the past, the present and in the future. My penalty and yours was satisfied on the cross by the death of Jesus, God’s greatest act of love and wrath, who became sin for me and you. It was also God’s greatest act of faithfulness because “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV) Because holiness shows us, we need to believe in Jesus. I hope that you join me in helping others to choose Jesus.
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