To have Faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1).
If I were to ask what is the opposite of Faith; some would say Doubt. Because Doubt makes you question what it is you believe, or have been taught to believe.
But what if I were to say that the opposite of Faith is Certainty.
Faith is believing in someone or something without any proof. In blind trust.
But what if you were certain that God exists? What if you were certain that Jesus is His only Son? What if you were certain that you are loved and cared for and that no matter what happens in life, you are certain that God is with you, and you are certain that it will all turn out right?
Faith is believing with your eyes closed perhaps.
The opposite of that is believing with eyes wide open and with Certainty.
"Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." (John 20:19-31).
...I visited some Amish friends yesterday and they have an interesting idea of salvation. They are faithful and hopeful, but salvation isn't a certainty.
ReplyDeleteYou raise a good point, Tom. Here is my view of things: God loves all His creations and wishes that all would join Him in Heaven. Jesus died to give us this opportunity to repent our sins and to return to God the Father in Heaven. Some of us are faithful and hopeful of this. But some still rebel and want to go their own way. For them, salvation is not a certainty because they turned it down.
DeleteSalvation is for everyone; but not everyone takes up the offer.
God bless.
What an interesting thought! A way of seeing, then seeing again, perhaps. I expect I'll be returning to read this again as my understanding (hopefully) begins to percolate.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a blessed day, my friend!
You got it right, Mevely. Having Faith is believing; believing in hope and in expectation that our Faith is not misplaced. That our Faith is based on pure trust without any evidence.
DeleteHowever Certainty is different. Certainty is knowing without a shadow of a doubt that our Faith is not misplaced. That our Faith is based on reality, on truth. I have known some priests like that. They were certain that God exists and would gladly die for the belief if challenged; just like the early Christians. To them, the quote above from John was truly fixed in their hearts.
God bless.
FAITH! My biggest downfall. I lost ALL faith in God once for a few years. A talk with a Chaplain and advice from a pulpit jolted me back into the faith. Strange I do not accept faith casually anymore.
ReplyDeleteI found comfort in your words, thanks.....
Sherry & jack
We have all struggled with Faith every now and then, Jack. But God does not give up on us. He sends us "messengers" and opportunities to get back to the fold. In your case it was the Chaplain that got you back. In many cases people do not heed the messengers and sadly continue to go their own way.
DeleteGod bless you. Glad you liked my post today.
Faith is strong and doubt is weak. I believe we all have both and in the end having faith will win.
ReplyDeleteAmen Bill. You are so right.
DeleteGod bless always.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteYes, we just heard the story of the doubtful Thomas who upon 'seeing' exclaimed: 'My Lord and my God!'
We all are related to Thomas at times but deep down it is only by Faith that we can move forward.
Hugs,
Mariette
You're so right, Mariette. With Faith we can move mountains ... mountains of people who will follow our example.
DeleteGod bless you my friend.
AMEN!
DeleteLovely post Victor,
ReplyDeleteFaith is believing with the mind of Christ, not the carnal mind. The spiritual enemy is in the carnal mind, trying to tell us what is going to happen in the future, yet the scriptures say that we know not what tomorrow brings. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of the Lord (Romans ch. 10 v. 17), so to trust in that Word spoken to each individual daily is how we grow in faith. God bless.
Yes Faith is believing with our minds in the Word of God.
DeleteGod bless you, Brenda.
I agree with Brenda and she wrote it better than I could have. :)
DeleteAmen.
DeleteGod bless, Happyone.
Is faith a form of being certain of what we haven't seen?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is.
DeleteGod bless, Mimi.
Your graphic is one of my favorite quotes. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanx Kathy.
DeleteGod bless.
Belated Sunday wishes.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Best wishes to you and yours, Jan.
DeleteGod bless.