Facts are usually obvious to natural perception – whether visual, auditory or tactile. Faith does not deny the facts, but rather proclaims the truth of God’s word. Abraham did not deny the facts. Rather, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead,without weakening in his faith(Rom 4vs 19). This is what we are called to emulate as Christians (Heb 13:7NIV).
WHAT FAITH IS
Faith is believing and acting on God’s word, as quickened and applied by the HolySpirit.
FAITH VS FACTS
Many Christians think that to exercise faith is to deny the facts, but nothing could be further from the truth. Facts represent reality on a dimension far lower than the dimension on which faith represents reality. Faith’s reality is God’s word, which forever is settled in heaven (Ps 119vs89), the dimension where God’s power, kingdom and will are freely available and
expressed. For instance, when Elijah proclaimed to Ahab that there was the sound of abundance of rain, he was speaking from a level of reality far higher than that of the three-dimensional world (1 Kings 18vs41-46). At the time Elijah made that proclamation to Ahab, Israel was still under God’s judgement of draught and famine with no indication, in the natural, of an imminent rainfall. Therefore, Elijah could only have spoken from a revelation of God’s word and will, as settled in heaven concerning Ahab and his kingdom. It is clear then, that faith takes hold of God’s word and expresses it as reality. Therefore, in order to exercise faith effectively, we must fix our focus, beyond physical, mental and material reality, on spiritual reality (2Cor 4vs 18). Abraham did not deny the facts of the deadnes of his own body or those of Sarah’s womb. However, not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb (Rom 4:19). Though Abraham did not deny the facts about his and Sarah’s natural circumstances, it is evident from the scripture reference above, that he did not pay attention to them. He ignored them. In other words, he did not let them dictate his actions. Whenever our natural conditions contradict God’s word, God expects us to ignore them, but not deny their existence. The reason is that both God’s word and your contradictory natural circumstances are realities (though of different forms and on different levels). For instance, if you have a disease in your body, it is real because it can be diagnosed medically. It is a clinical fact. However, it does not imply that you have to or should even give it attention enough for it to dictate your speech and actions—something satan eagerly hopes and awaits to happen. This is the condition that empowers him to do his nefarious work of destruction in the life of a man or woman. Remember, the devil never misses an opportunity to wreck havoc on any human being. However, for the avoidance of misunderstanding, it should be noted that neither the Bible nor this writer suggests that anyone deny, reject or ignore indiscriminately, the diagnosis, findings or recommendations etc of an expert in the relevant field, without a sound, solid, Biblically-based revelation knowledge as the basis of that decision. Such potential but unfortunate misconstruction is not intended in this article. However, in as much as the viewpoints of qualified personnel in relevant sectors should be taken seriously, we should take care that we do not,” make the word of God of no effect…”(Mk 7:13). This is because God will always be true and every man a liar (Rom 12:3). The point is, barring any specific revelation knowledge from God, do (within acceptable scriptural standards) whatever is humanly necessary and possible to remedy an undesirable situation. Hence, if you need to take medication for your health or a loan for your business etc, do so without entertaining feelings of condemnation. Be that as it may, never forget that the extent to which any man’s or woman’s expert knowledge contradicts God’s word, to that same extent it is null and void.
THE BASIS OF FAITH
God’s word is the basis of faith. God’s word is His will, and until God’s will is known on any issue, faith cannot be exercised effectively on it. God does not require or even expect us to exercise faith for something He has not promised to do. The only way you could validly believe and expect to receive, say $5000, from a wealthy man, would be that he specifically promised to give it to you. Other than that, you would be acting on presumption. Authentic faith is based on a promise from God. That is why the Bible says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God “. Therefore, anyone who wants to have genuine faith and experience its exploits, must pay careful attention to what God says to him/her. Abraham’s faith for a son from God demonstrates this principle. God had promised Abraham a son (Gen 15vs4), who would be his heir. It was on the basis of that promise that Abraham, for many years, exercised faith in God for the fulfilment of His promise, though he attempted at some point to modify and hasten its fulfilment (Gen 16:2,3,15). Nonetheless, God reaffirmed His promise to Abraham and Sarah in the following words, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son” (Gen 18:10). Thus, God made it clear that the basis upon which they (Abraham and Sarah ) and by extension anyone else, can expect to receive anything from Him is His promise (word ). To buttress the assertion above, Gen 21:1,2 (NIV) says, “Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as He had SAID, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had PROMISED. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had PROMISED him.” (Emphasis mine ).
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, therefore, it is imperative that you emulate Abraham, who regardless of the odds that were against him and his wife, chose to rely on God’s word instead of on natural facts. His belief and corresponding actions were based squarely on God’s promise. Little wonder God chose him to model faith to succeeding generations of mankind. God’s call for us to: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith”( Heb 13:7 NIV ), is followed closely by the assurance that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”( Heb 13:7 NIV ). Therefore, take God at His word and see His glory. Shalom.
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