Correct.
"Now faith is the assurance of
things hoped for, the conviction
of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 (NAS)
Assurance of Things Hoped For:
When a Christian prays for wisdom, he or she must ask in faith,
not doubting.
If and when our faith matures, we will gain this assurance that God is faithful
and just to deliver on His promises:
"But
if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously
and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6
But
let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the
surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:5-6
(NAS)
But the required faith comes from hearing the word of
Christ.
"So faith
comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:17
(NAS)
In this example in James 1:5-6, God promises to give wisdom if we ask
Him for it in faith, without doubting. Since faith comes from hearing the word of Christ...if we never read the Bible,
will we ever develop faith?
If we don't ask in faith for God to give us
wisdom...will He still give it? If, after reading the words of Christ, we
ask Him for faith...and doubt...will He still give it?
As you can see, we need to play an active part in the faith process.
Walking by Faith...or by Sight?
When a person refuses to believe something they have not seen, then they are
trying to walk by sight. For example, a person may refuse to believe that
Alexander the Great lived in history...because they cannot see him or have never
seen him.
Similarly, a person that refuses to believe in God and
Jesus for the same reason...they are also walking by sight. Until Jesus
comes again, we will not see Jesus physically:
"Therefore,
being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body
we are absent from the Lord--for we walk by faith, not by sight..."
2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (NAS)
Even though Jesus right now is
not seen; by faith, we have the "conviction of things not seen."
By Faith The Men of Old Gained Approval:
The writer of Hebrews goes on to say in verse 2:
"For by it (faith) the men of old gained approval." Hebrews
11:2 (NAS)
Let's look further at these examples of the men of old...
Click on the next question to continue...
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