So often we fall into the trap of basing our faith on what feels true rather than what IS true. Faith is much less related to feelings than to fact. Genuine faith is believing what is true. How do you know if you believe something? When you sit in church and the Pastor makes a statement you have not heard before, do you ask yourself - Do I believe that? Or How do I feel about that? OR Is that true? We are told to test the spirits - check the Word.
How can we have fact-centered faith*? Only by checking and knowing the facts. Where or how do we get the facts? Through the reading, studying and meditating on the Word and knowing the living Word, Jesus Christ. Faith is not a feeling, a philosophy, a theory, a sense, or some ethereal good feeling. Biblical faith is grounded in the Person of truth.
Knowing the facts without faith is not belief.
Hebrews 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
Having faith without facts is misplaced belief.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
So let our faith be rooted and secure in truth, in the facts of the Word.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
Diane
*"Fact-centered faith" is a phrase gleaned from Miles Standford's book: The Complete Green Letters.
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