Faith

By Pastor Chad

Protestant evangelicals are ardent and adamant believers in a Reformation mantra known as sola fide, which is Latin for “faith alone.” The idea is that one is saved not by human effort or work, but by faith alone. Thus, we rightly declare one is saved not by following a set of religious regulations or standards, we are saved by faith. For the most part, the term “faith” is just assumed. In other words, in our evangelistic opportunities, we just assume people understand what is meant by faith. I, however, am not so sure that is always the case. 

In the classical Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street, a definition of faith is given that has been ingrained into our cultural psyche. In the movie, faith is defined as “believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” I have a significant pastoral concern about this view of faith. It makes faith seem like one is intellectually lazy. It doesn’t fit the way Scripture defines and describes faith. And it leads to a lot of spiritual anxiety in people. Faith is not an irrational leap into the dark. And it is not a belief that lacks evidence. So what is faith? How should we understand it? Hebrews 11:1 gives a pointed biblical definition of faith. There is no reason to assume it provides an exhaustive definition, but it definitely gets to the heart of what faith is. To begin the famous hall of faith chapter, the author of Hebrews writes, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” 

Here we see faith defined in three clarifying ways: faith is a surety, it is an expectation, and it is a confidence. Let’s look at each of these in turn. 

First, faith is a surety. By that, I mean faith is a biblical surety, not a philosophical certainty. A biblical (or theological) surety is a trust in God’s redemptive work and plan. One can rest assured that because he or she believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ, salvation is assured. This does not mean, however, that questions or doubt are nonexistent in the life of the believer. In other words, the assurance referenced in Hebrews 11:1 does not mean one will never have doubts about religious convictions or will never question aspects of the Christian faith. It simply means that when ideas seem mysterious, we rely upon the providence of God for our salvation as we seek answers to difficult questions. 

The second qualification of faith is that faith is an expectation. That is, faith is an expectation of a future reality. Much of what we hope for in the Christian life is a state or reality that will take place in the future. Yes, we can have joy in the Lord now. Yes, we can flourish in our walk with God now. Yes, we can commune with the Lord now. But the completion of our salvation is a hope we long for and expect sometime in the future. Thus, faith is trusting in the promises of God. It is the notion of trusting that what God says is going to happen will happen. 

And last, faith is a confidence. By this, I mean faith is a confidence in someone or something other than oneself. Specifically, faith is a confidence in the nature and character of God. Thus, the confidence is not in one’s own ability, but in God’s. This completely eradicates the so-called “Word-Faith” movement or the “Name-It, Claim-It” error. The “Name-It, Claim-It” distortion says that in order for God to move, I must have enough faith to receive a blessing from God. Biblical faith is not an estimation of or reliance on one’s own ability to build up enough faith. Biblical faith isn’t about priming your belief pump so your faith levels are high. That’s not the idea. Biblical faith is trusting, not in yourself, but in a trustworthy God.

As we can see, biblical faith is not a fleeting wish or an apathetic anticipation. It is a reliance upon God; it is a reliance upon His word; and it is a reliance upon His saving plan and work.