Faith
FAITH FIRST
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love" (1 Cor. 13:13). And now should probably be understood as things are or in conclusion. When all is said and done, these three stalwart features of the Christian life remain resolute. The first of which is faith.
Faith implies trust or confidence in someone or something. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for" (Heb. 11:1). For instance, "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith" (v. 7).
"And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephtath, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; whose weakness was turned to strength, and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies" (vv. 32-34).
Moreover, faith has solicited extensive commentary. As when "Reason saw not till Faith sprung the Light" (John Dryden, ‘Religio Laici’—as recorded in William Sykes, The Eternal Vision, p. 110). Faith thus less resembles a leap in the dark than pressing toward the light.
"Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done" (C. S. Lewis, Letters of C. S. Lewis). It must be renewed day after day, in context of a new set of circumstances. In light of our past experience, and in response to God’s faithful promises.
"Faith is kept alive in us, and gathers strength, from practice more than from speculation" (Joseph Addison, The Works of Joseph Addison). Ideally, faith strengthens rather than simply persists. Not by way of abstract speculation, but devout exercise.
"Faith in Christ was not primarily a matter of doctrinal or intellectual belief, but a way of life, a following, an allegiance" (said of Edward Wilson in George Seaver, Edward Seaver of the Antarctic). Since we learn not simply to know, but to put into practice what we have learned.
"The life of faith is a continually renewed victory over doubt, a continually renewed grasp of meaning in the midst of meaninglessness" (Lesslie Newbigin, Honest Religion for Secular Man). While reminiscent of Blaise Pascal’s reasoning: If we conclude that God exists and he does, we have much to gain; while if we conclude that he does not exist, and he does, we have much to lose; finally, if we conclude that he does, and he does not, then we have still lived the best of lives. So choose well!
"It is faith that is expected of you and honest living, not profound understanding and deep knowledge of the mysteries of God" (Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ). As for the former, it cultivates humility and a willingness to serve. As for the latter, it fosters pride and the demeaning of others.
"Religious faith does not consist in supposing that there is a God. It consists in personal trust in God rising to personal fellowship with God" (William Temple, Basic Convictions). Otherwise expressed, it is not abstract speculation, but personal confidence resulting in actualized fellowship with the Almighty.
"Like human knowledge, the knowledge of faith is also fragmentary. Only when faith remains aware of this does it remain free from arrogance, intolerance, and false zeal" (Hans Kung, On Being a Christian). Everyone believes in something or someone, but some beliefs are more credible than others.
"The man is perfect in faith who can come to God in the utter dearth of his feelings and his desires, without a glow or an inspiration, with the weight of low thoughts, failures, neglects, and wandering forgetfulness, and say to him, ‘Thou art my refuge, because thou are my home’" (George Macdonald, Unspoken Sermons). While along with the anticipation of being forgiven, and embraced.
In conclusion, we trace faith back to the triad including hope and love. "To have faith is to meet the world with the conviction that in spite of all its ambiguities and downright evils, there can be discerned in it the reality of love and a ground of hope" (John Macquarrie, Paths in Spirituality). As graphically expressed, with a light at the end of the tunnel.
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