We always heard Christian complaint that they do not have
enough faith to undertake a new challenge that lies before
them. But we have to differentiate between courage and faith.
In other words, a Christian may have no courage to undertake
a new challenge, yet this does not mean he has already lost
his faith. What is Christian faith? What is the definition
of faith? We want to look at the three aspects of faith in this article.
First, Faith is to know ( Latin: notitia ). That is to know
the contents of the Bible. What is so special about the Bible?
It is a book that records history of mankind. Here is the
brief history of the Bible. It tells us that God first created the
heaven and earth then Adam and Eve. But Adam did not obey God, so
God banished him from Garden of Eden. Later, God call Abraham to
leave Ur of Chaldeans (Babylon) for Canaan the Promised Land.
Abraham’s descendant Jacob free to Egypt for food during the
famine in the Land. Descendant of Jacob stayed in Egypt until they
were persecuted under new Pharaoh. So God raised up Moses to deliver
them from the house of slavery. Joshua then leads the twelve tribes
of Israel into the Promised Land. David and Solomon built the Kingdom
of God in the Promised Land, and yet they and their descendants have
to serve the heavenly King under God’s Law. Sadly, the rest of the
Old Testament records the rebellion of these kings. So God sent
prophets to warn them of the imminent judgment and call them to wait
for the coming of the Messiah. The first book of New Testament
proclaims the coming of this Messiah. He is son of Abraham and sons
of David. And the four Gospels recount the teaching and ministry of
this Messiah Jesus Christ. He finally was betrayed and crucified
and raised on the third day. After Jesus was taken up to heaven,
his disciples (and St. Paul) began to preach the Gospel of this
Kingdom through established churches. Thus is the brief
introduction to the whole Bible.
Second, Faith is to assent ( Latin: assensus ). That is to assent
to the message of the contents. The contents of the Bible are
historical data. But they are neither raw materials nor pure facts.
These historical data brought a consistent message to the world.
The message is 1) we have fallen in Adam and become enemies of God
(see Colossians 1:21); 2) Since first Adam and his descendants
could not keep the laws perfectly, their outcome is death
(see Romans 6:23); 3) Fallen mankind would not seek after true
God, but create for themselves many different idols (see
Romans 1:25); 4) Despite sinful acts of mankind, God prepare
way of Salvation through His begotten Son Jesus Christ. Christ
came as the last Adam (see I Corinthians 15:45), and he finally
kept the laws perfectly. So that whoever believes in Christ will
be justified and enter into God’s kingdom (John 3:16,
Romans 1:16-17).
Unfortunately, many people could not accept the Bible has only
ONE story and ONE message. They do not know this Jesus is the last
Adam. They study so hard in order to obtain salvation for their
soul, but they are missing the point/message. Just as Christ
told his contemporary in John 5:39-40, “You diligently study
the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal
life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you
refuse to come to me to have life.”
Third, Faith is to entrust ( Latin: fiducia ). That is to
entrust oneself unto God’s message. What does it mean? It
is to trusting everything unto Jesus Christ our creator and
redeemer. This “everything” includes family upbringing,
career, good health or sickness, rich or poor, emotional,
sinful nature or sinful acts, temptation or failure etc.
This Son of God become flesh, and save us from our sinful
conditions. He is able to save us through and through. He not
only died for Abraham, David, Peter, James, John, and Paul.
He also died for my sins. Yes Jesus of Nazareth is able to ease
my burden and give me rest as long as I approach the throne of
Grace through his shedding blood on the cross.
(Hebrews 4:16)
From Genesis through Revelation, the sixty-six books of the
Bible bring us only ONE message and a very consistent and clear
message. That is God is willing to save sinners through his
beloved Son Jesus Christ. If we are humble ourselves and
confess our sins, He is willing to justify us as a righteous
person. Satan knows the Scripture very well, but because of
his pride, he is not willing to humble before God and be saved.
Just as James 2:19 say that Satan believe in God but shudder.
That is without peace and joy. Why? Because Satan does not
trusting everything unto God’s sovereign rule.
What is faith? First, it is to know the contents of the Bible.
Second, it is to assent to the message of the Bible. Third,
it is to entrust oneself unto this message.
Posted on May 2, 2007
