This morning I was reading verses recently covered in our Tuesday Bible study. From Hebrews 11, we read the words, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We discussed these words, a few weeks back. We acknowledged that while this verse is often used as a definition of faith, it is really no definition at all. It is a statement, but it does actually define faith. It points to what it is that faith does for us. Faith is both the aim and the assurance of that in which we hope.
Faith is an important concept. It is an essential word in Protestant theology. But, what is it?
We sometimes confuse faith with belief. This is not the same thing. In the Augsburg Confession, Article XX, the reformers write: “Instruction is also given among us to show that the faith here spoken of is not that possessed by the devil and the ungodly, who also believe the history of Christ’s suffering and his resurrection from the dead, but we mean true faith as believes that we receive grace and forgiveness of sin through Christ…. Augustine also reminds us that we should understand the word ‘faith’ in the Scriptures to mean confidence in God, assurance that God is gracious to us, and not merely such a knowledge of historical events as the devil also possesses.”
To have faith in God is to trust in God; it is to have confidence in God’s promises; it is to live in such a way as to choose the wisdom of God rather than the teachings of the world.
Hebrews 11 points out that it was by faith that Able, Enoch, and Abraham lived a righteous life. It is by faith that they pleased God and received God’s blessings.
Faith is very important to us. Understanding what this word means is important.
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