How do you see God?
That is the big question that goes along with a concept the Bible defines as faith. Do you view God as big, all-powerful, faithful, and loving? If that's who God is to us, then our faith will rise to those levels. Once I understand that God is supreme, authoritative, dependable, and beautiful in every way, my faith will grow to match that understanding. However, if my view of God is distant, small, inactive, and controllable, then my faith will shrink to a mere plateau. Now, does our view of God change who He is?
Absolutely not.
He is who He is because of who He is-not because of who we are.
Faith is our trust in God lived out because of the truth we know.
Hebrews 11:1-6 reads, 'Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
...And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him'.
Faith is believing in God and obeying Him, both of which require relying on the unseen. What exactly defines the unseen? To me, that means relying on God's promises, provisions, and concerns for us. It means believing that God loves me, died for my sins, and rose again-so that I can have freedom, both present, future, and eternal. It's knowing that light exists, even when all we can see is darkness. It's having a hope that in the end, everything will be okay. It's saying, yes, I believe a God much mightier than me has overcome this world and all of it's sufferings. It's also looking at goodness and saying, that is not of me. This beautiful gift is perfect and from above. Faith and hope go hand in hand. Having an attitude of faith or simply proclaiming to have one is not enough. Faith without works is dead-and vice versa. Our faith should spur us on to pursue righteousness, and our works should be done out of a faithful heart. Our faith should push us to have an understanding that God is in control of the past, present, and future, and our faith should push us to live like we know that. This passage in Hebrews addresses assurance and expectation, which can be seen in the lives of those mentioned in chapter eleven. The past people who lived by faith had a strong assurance that God's promises would be fulfilled-even when the fallen ways of the world presently told them otherwise.
Does your concept of faith need to grow? Mine did about one year ago. I didn't understand what it means to trust God fully and at all times. If this is you, I suggest to dwell on the characteristics of God. Read the Word and study it deeply. Know Jesus more, see who the Father truly is, and see how the Spirit moves. Allow yourself to fall in love with the ultimate lover of your soul.
Is your faith stagnant? Put it into practice. Go out and serve people. Love God and His children, not because of who you are, but because of what He has done.
That's what brings me to this question: How do you see God?
Our view of who God is will shape our faith in Him. Do you see Him as someone who died for you? Someone perfect? Someone beautiful? Someone great? Someone good? Someone authoritative? Someone unending? Someone strong? Someone faithful? Someone incomprehensible? Someone dependable? Someone hopeful? Someone worthy of your life?
Today, let your soul have a hope in an unseen yet present and all-powerful God, and because of that choose to live in faith by pursuing love.
Because that's who He is. He is love.
