The Nature of faith...

cityonahill · 08-29-2008, 11:56 PM

No matter what type of background someone has, (LC or other) the nature of faith is such a deep and meaningful discussion to have...Since Igzy brought it up, I thought it would be an interesting topic.

We all know the Hebrews 11:1 definition of faith...I'm curious to know how people here on this board see faith.

My personal observations and convictions:

*Faith is not some metaphysical force that we control with formulated sayings and prayers...
*Faith is such a deep word, that I get frustrated when someone simply defines it as "faith=belief"
*I don't like to view faith as a cup that is filled to a certain "level"...

I like the example of the Roman Centurian who came to Jesus for his servant to be healed. He told Jesus not to come but to just heal the servant where he was at. Then Jesus replied by saying he has seen no greater faith in all of Israel!!! That's a huge deal!!!

*When I first read that story and others like it, I assumed that we need to have a certain "level" of faith before God can work like the Roman centurian did. However, I now realize that the Roman officer did not come to Jesus concious of his faith!!! Rather, He made Jesus the object of his faith.
That is my conviction. To always make sure I keep God as the object of my faith and not get so caught up in "stirring up" the gift myself.
If you look to yourself for blessing, healing, deliverance,...your own faith ultimately becomes the object of your faith...

I'm not saying to not believe that your thoughts and words have power! Because they do! I'm just saying to not set yourself up for a fall by turning your faith in God into some kind of metaphysical force that makes you more concious of how much faith you have rather than who your faith is in.

08-29-2008, 11:56 PM	#1
cityonahill Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 67	The Nature of faith... No matter what type of background someone has, (LC or other) the nature of faith is such a deep and meaningful discussion to have...Since Igzy brought it up, I thought it would be an interesting topic. We all know the Hebrews 11:1 definition of faith...I'm curious to know how people here on this board see faith. My personal observations and convictions: Faith is not some metaphysical force that we control with formulated sayings and prayers... Faith is such a deep word, that I get frustrated when someone simply defines it as "faith=belief" I don't like to view faith as a cup that is filled to a certain "level"... I like the example of the Roman Centurian who came to Jesus for his servant to be healed. He told Jesus not to come but to just heal the servant where he was at. Then Jesus replied by saying he has seen no greater faith in all of Israel!!! That's a huge deal!!! When I first read that story and others like it, I assumed that we need to have a certain "level" of faith before God can work like the Roman centurian did. However, I now realize that the Roman officer did not come to Jesus concious of his faith!!! Rather, He made Jesus the object of his faith. That is my conviction. To always make sure I keep God as the object of my faith and not get so caught up in "stirring up" the gift myself. If you look to yourself for blessing, healing, deliverance,...your own faith ultimately becomes the object of your faith... I'm not saying to not believe that your thoughts and words have power! Because they do! I'm just saying to not set yourself up for a fall by turning your faith in God into some kind of metaphysical force that makes you more concious of how much faith you have rather than who your faith is in. __________________ "If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do..."(2 Cor. 10:7)