"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). This passage is used a lot in evangelical circles to define "faith." Christians talk about "faith" a lot and we encourage people to have "faith" and to walk in "faith." Lately, though, I have been questioning what that means. Do we just say these words without really grasping the depth of it?
I have been studying, recently, "Progressive Christianity." I have some personal reasons for looking at it, and in the process I have learned a great deal about "liberal" Christianity and the "faith" they profess. It is disturbing to me to read message boards and blogs that deny the inerrancy of Scripture and the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. I am troubled by statements that speak of "making others aware of the god in them." The hard thing is, though, that they also speak of "faith." The push for Progressive Christians is to have faith in their own "god-ness" and "goodness." They push for a "faith" in self.
I do not agree with that. "Faith," without identifying the what or the whom in which it is placed, is at best, weak and at worst, dangerous. Followers of Jesus Christ must be more specific as to where our faith lies. I am aware of a lot of circumstances and hardships that people are facing. Some I know are facing sickness. Others have family struggles. Some are wondering whether God has abandoned them. I am concerned for many at the church I used to serve. There seems to be a spirit of gloom and discouragment surrounding them. In my own life, I am not sure where God is going to lead. If there has ever been a time for "faith," it is now. I want to go further, though. What we need is faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
I am not smart enough or clever or enough to figure out what is best for my life. I do not know what to say to others. I want and pray for things to work out well for all those I know who are hurting and struggling. The key will be for me to entrust all of them (all of the issues, problems, heartaches) to the one person who is capable of handling all of them. My faith is not a blind faith that somehow, someday things will work out. My faith is in the person of Jesus Christ who has promised to never leave or forsake. My faith is in him of whom it is said, "and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
I will give him all of those who are hurting. I will give him all of those who feel lost. I will give him all of those who don't know what comes next. I will trust that he will work. He will provide. He will take care.
"Faith is the victory that overcomes the world." That's a line from an old hymn. Faith in the person of Jesus Christ is our victory. Let us truly be a people of faith. Thanks for reading....
