Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Faith –Vine's Expository Dictionary has this definition of faith. The Greek word is pistis, and means a firm persuasion, or a conviction based upon hearing.
Scripture also defines faith.
See: 2Thess 2:11-12; (2) a personal surrender to Him, John 1:12; (3) a conduct inspired by such surrender.
We can also use the words persuasion, assurance, belief, faithfulness, and still convey the same meanings.
The KJ concordance shows the word pistis used 221 times. 215 times it is translated as faith, but has also been translated as effect, and fidelity.
Webster's says faith is: Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority and veracity, without other evidence; the judgment that what another states or testifies is the truth.
To assent to something is to admit that it is true; to agree; yield or concede, or rather to express an agreement of the mind to what is alleged, or proposed.
(My comment: Assent by itself is not a definition of faith, but merely a thin aspect. To assent to something leaves the door open to one that assents due to forced coercion, and that is not God. God gave us brains and we are to use them. I may assent, but evidence convinces me.)
Truth - Pontius Pilate said to Jesus, "what is truth". He was looking truth in the eyes and could not see it. Truth means: conformity to fact or reality.
Arthur Pink, in "What is Truth"Therefore if we say we have faith then we have come to admit that something is true, and we have then conformed to that fact or reality. That requires that you have made a determination as to what makes that thing true, factual, or a reality.
Truth comes to a man only through the Holy Spirit, no man can of himself find it out. 1Jo 5:6, John 16:13
Truth must be sought after. Matt 7:7-8
Truth can be attained. john 8:31-32
Truth is a hard way to follow, therefore few men go on to perfection. Matt 7:13-14
Truth is infinite, it is deeper than you know. Rom 11:33-36
A warning for those who would reject truth. Rom 1:18, Rom 1:25, 2Thes 2:12, 1 Tim 6:5
The world has such a hard time accepting most aspects of Christianity, for they find most every aspect unbelievable. The current President of Iran makes statements indicating that he does not believe that the Holocaust even occured. The Holocaust is documented, historical, and the remains of its impact can be seen in the tatoos on it's victims arms, as well as the remains of the buildings.
So then, the idea that I have come to adapt my life to concepts, such as the plan of redemption, or what Jesus called the "good news", that I now believe are true, makes me certain that the things I hope for are an absolute.
No one in their right mind believes that you will get everything you want. There in is the rub. Through your investing yourself in a belief in God (that is what conformity is all about), you come to understand that you are to operate in the best interest of others, and that your will is becoming aligned with God's will, because you are putting His word inside of you.
Oh, you are not doing that. My bad, I assumed that because you proclaimed His life in you, you understood what you had gotten yourself into.
A friend, a believer, let us know how sick his son was by posting the boys condition on facebook. Several of us prayed, and overnight the child had a dramatic change for the better. I have learned from scripture that God wants people well, that I can pray, and that God hears and responds. I could not see the boy; I could not see the changes, and I certainly could not see God working, but He did.
Am I always so certain? No, but then faith and trust is a building process. God's methods and attitude toward me have not and will not change, but my faith in Him grows as I exhibit confidence, based upon His word and actions, in who He is and what He does.
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