The Christian religion defines faith as the act of believing and receiving the truth that God reveals through His Word. Furthermore, it emphasizes the necessity of questioning what God conveys to us through His Word. In light of this rigorous teaching, individuals diligently strive to comprehend the truth, albeit within the confines of their understanding. When our grasp of the truth is limited, believing it becomes comparatively easier; however, when we endeavor to understand the truth in its entirety, we often find ourselves struggling to maintain that belief. Consequently, we tend to restrict our comprehension of truth to the extent of our knowledge. The Bible elucidates this dimension of faith as hope, as we anticipate what we are capable of understanding and perceiving, knowing it is certain due to our personal experiences.
Hope and Faith
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
The first part discusses evidence-based faith, while the second touches on belief that hinges on hope rather than proof, suggesting we are expected to trust in something beyond evidence. However, isn’t it impossible to declare someone guilty or innocent without tangible evidence? This same rationale could be applied to spirituality, where one might seek precedence and proof before placing faith in God. The Bible offers accounts of His faithful servants, yet it feels like an attempt to impose those precedents onto our lives. Additionally, while God confirms His word for those serving Him, isn’t that merely the subjective experience of the preacher? The challenge arises when hearers struggle to relate, as they grapple with the reality that the “evidence” is often just the preacher’s personal experience, not their own.
The disciples grappled with the practical teachings of Jesus, struggling to find trust without tangible evidence, unlike Jesus, who possessed firsthand knowledge of His Father, having come directly from Him. In their turmoil, their hope waned at the moment of Jesus’ crucifixion, leading them to doubt the possibility of their Master’s resurrection. Even after receiving the Good News, their disbelief persisted. Jesus had explicitly foretold His suffering, death on the cross, and resurrection, assuring them that He shared these truths in advance to fortify their faith when the events unfolded.
Despite this, He resurrected Lazarus after four days, aiming to demonstrate the reality of His own resurrection on the third day. Nonetheless, His admonitions and the incontrovertible evidence presented proved ineffectual, as they remained incapable of comprehending the truth. During that period, the disciples lacked a religious framework through which to impose beliefs forcefully, as they were followers of Jesus and not affiliated with any established religion.
Hence, faith shouldn’t rely solely on evidence and our hopes but rather on a questionable premise of hoping for what God perfectly hopes for us without any substantial proof.
Beyond the Warnings and Evidences
There exist numerous prophecies within the Bible pertaining to the second coming of Jesus Christ. In addition to the prophetic admonitions designed to prepare individuals for Judgment Day, Jesus unequivocally articulated that no one, except His Father, possesses knowledge of the timing of His return. Nevertheless, individuals frequently encounter difficulty in accepting this truth and engage in speculation regarding the time and location of His second coming.
This observation along with the disciples reaction highlights the uplifting idea that people thrive on more than just evidence to foster a deep and lasting faith. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus beautifully illustrated this notion, reminding us of the hope that exists in understanding and connection.
He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ – Luke 16:31 (NIV)
Does Our Faith Please God?
As financial resources are indispensable for the procurement of goods within this world, faith holds an equally significant place in the attainment of blessings from God. However, in contrast to money, which is a tangible asset highly valued for its commodities, faith ought not to be conceived as a currency for God’s provision; instead, it serves merely as a medium of exchange. While money is essential for sellers to realize profit and maintain their livelihoods, faith does not serve as a means of sustenance for God. Rather, it constitutes a crucial element of our spiritual livelihood.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. – Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
Money represents the value of a commodity, and its cost rises in accordance with demand. Conversely, faith itself does not constitute the true value of God’s provisions; even a modest faith, akin to a mustard seed, suffices for us to attain greater blessings from Him. Furthermore, God does not depend on our faith for sustenance; rather, it brings Him delight, as it enables us to inherit the eternal life He has reserved for us.
How Does Faith Operate?
Individuals often attribute their accomplishments to their own capabilities. Consequently, God cautions His followers, amidst their various blessings, against becoming inflated with pride, as indicated in the verse below:
You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. – Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (NIV)
When mankind grapples with the understanding that all they possess is bestowed by God and not derived from their own capabilities, it becomes increasingly challenging for a believer to comprehend that God solely provides the necessary faith to receive His truth. However, the faithful often take pride in their devout lives, lengthy periods of fasting, and prayer, mistakenly believing that they have merited and possess this faith. To counteract such an attitude, God has introduced certain afflictions in their lives and ministries to deter them from boasting. Subsequently, He reassured Paul that His grace is sufficient, thereby preventing any claims to the strength and accomplishments of God as Paul’s own.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.- Ephesians 2:8- 9 (NIV)
While God has demonstrated that salvation is a manifestation of His grace rather than a result of human deeds, mankind has often fallen into the error of taking pride in their faith, mistakenly believing that it is attained through their spiritual disciplines. It is imperative to comprehend that faith is not generated by our actions, but rather instilled within us solely through Him. The Holy Spirit, who resides within us, is the force behind our faith, and it is not our own accomplishment, but His. Furthermore, even in moments when we are uncertain of how to pray, the Holy Spirit assists us in this endeavor. Recognizing this, we must acknowledge that faith is not based on tangible evidence or our capabilities, but rather on that which is unseen and beyond our ability. When we engage in that which is beyond our capacity, it is not our agency at work but the influence of the Spirit within us. Conversely, if we act contrary to our desires, it is not our true self but the sin that resides within. This comparison elucidates that placing trust in God is beyond our control; it belongs to the realm of God. Unless He empowers us to believe, we are incapable of believing on our own.
The Role of Faith
As previously established, God does not necessitate our faith; rather, it is we who require faith to access His provisions. The most significant of these provisions is eternal life. God empowers us to cultivate faith in His works, enabling us to obtain what is truly essential. When we exert considerable effort to fortify our own faith, we often find that we acquire only temporal blessings, which may ultimately prove detrimental. Conversely, if we permit God to operate within us, He bestows upon us the faith necessary to attain eternal life.
When healing is administered to an individual, Jesus consistently acknowledges their expression that their faith has facilitated their salvation. This recognition may lead individuals to erroneously interpret faith as a personal attribute. Nevertheless, it is essential to comprehend that, in this context, our faith is derived from the author of faith, which we are called to embrace in order to receive true blessings and to allow Him to complete what He has begun.
The giver of faith does not ask for it back; instead, He encourages us to use it with care and dedication, as God desires to see its beautiful fruition in our lives.
The Jordan Valley 
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