The Certainty of Faith
Today I want to offer our readers a gentle reminder, but one that is often misunderstood by most of the world. This reminder comes from the book of the Hebrews. “Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Too often in today’s world we hear of people who say that they will believe in God if they can only see Him. Too often that is to their detriment. The fact is, those who say that they need physical proof of God, often wouldn’t even accept Him if given this proof. Look at the people in John 6:30-34, “ 30 So they said to Him, “What then are You doing as a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work are You performing? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.”” Here the people are asking Jesus Christ for a sign that He came from God. Keep in mind that this passage occurs after Jesus fed the five thousand, after Jesus walked on water; and after Jesus gave sight to the blind, healed the afflicted, and removed demons from among them. All of this some of the people here were witness too, they saw Jesus preform these miracles.
With verse 34 you would believe that the people are saying that they believe that Jesus is the Son of God, however, if you continue on in John chapter six you see that it is indeed the opposite. “41 So then the Jews were complaining about Him because He said, “I am the bread that came down out of heaven.” ” John 6:41. No sooner had they asked for a sign were they already complaining about the information Jesus had given to them. This is not the only case where Jesus was begged for a sign only to have the people become angry with Him, go and read Matthew 16:1-4.
What I am hoping to point out to those reading this, is that we do not need a sign from God that He is real. There is evidence all around us that God is active, that He cares, that He wants a relationship with you. And this is where faith comes in. Look again at Hebrews 11:1, ““Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.”” Faith is the result of a certainty of things hoped for, the accomplishment of promises and prayers. It is what is unique about the Christian faith, we have hope in things that we cannot see. We read of God’s promises and see how they are fulfilled, we pray to God and see how He answers those prayers, and our faith grows. For the born-again Christian who has the Holy Spirit living within them, our faith is in things that we cannot see. To the world this seems foolish, but in reality we are blessed. “29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”” John 20:29. This passage occurs after Jesus’s resurrection and Thomas is doubting the disciples who stated that they had seen the risen Lord. I implore you not to be like Thomas and need a physical sign that God is there. The reality of it is that faith does not come from what you see, but in what you cannot see. I can tell you from experience that my faith grows more when I spend time in God’s Word. I understand more about Him and His promises. My faith also grows in my prayers, this is not asking for a sign but when God answers my prayers, even in ways that I did not expect, I have something to see how God is active even now. If you are someone who is waiting for a sign to place you faith in Jesus, I ask that you not be like those mentioned in this post. I ask that you place faith in what you cannot see, you will be surprised to see how easy that step comes if you are only willing to do so.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex