Your Faith is...
In all of the monotheistic religions, faith is the source of all belief in God's word and promise to those whom believe in Him. From a Biblical perspective we understand that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things, which are seen, were not made of things, which are visible. (Heb 11:1-3 NKJV). Most of us live our lives based on the above scripture; it is the substance of our trust (hope) in what faith truly means to us. One's faith can be the lone catalyst that produces understanding, courage, knowledge and vision, which are the core components of faith that keep us on the straight path towards victory!
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| Japanese Symbol for "Faith" Kanji |
However, faith that does not have definitive understanding, courage, knowledge and vision is forever fading and has no backbone. For example, the required core components of faith are explained throughout scripture. First off, we need an “understanding” of our faith. Having an “understanding” of our faith allows us to stand on the word of God in that we believe that He will do everything that He said He'd do for us! Furthermore, our “understanding” of our faith produces “hope” and the definition of “hope” is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is a feeling that something desired might happen, when the outlook may or may not warrant it. (Farlex Free Dictionary)
"Pistis” root word is the Greek is faith, which also means to come to trust or believe. For man to move forward he must believe and trust that the vision he has comes from God, thus allowing him to move forward it complete faith without hesitation. “Faith that moves mountains is first of all focused on God. The objective of your faith is God.
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| Larry Poncho Brown "Window of Faith" |
The objective of your faith is whatever mountain you are dealing with. However, without faith it is impossible to please God." (Salas, T June 2010). This is “such a powerful description of what 'courage' looks like. With it we lay hold to eternal life, we overcome, we become more Christ like. Faith is the catalyst for apprehending the intangible. I always like a man with vision. A man or woman with vision means that they are not limited to what they see in the natural but they reach for what is in the eternal realm of the Spirit and pull it into NOW! I trust God and I know something about Him, He is faithful. Having faith in the originator of faith can only produce a positive result..." (Seaton, J June 2010)
As we journey along the path of life it is wise that we surround ourselves with people that have a spiritual backbone. Because those are type of Believers that will never leave you on the side of the road like the traveler whom was hit on his head while on the pathway from Jerusalem to Jericho. Those are type of Believers you will want with you in a dark alley. This is the kind of faith that Yeshua (Jesus) displayed during his time among people of his day. The reason why we honor and love him so today is because he was the greatest example of what “faith,” truly is. Simply put one can say Christ’s “faith” was very courageous and exemplary especially when we study the scripture and learn of the trials and tribulations that tested his “faith” daily.
Most of us have heard the saying "Without vision there is no progress,” however many of us tend to forget that the above saying was coined from Biblical text. In the book of Hosea 4:6, it says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” and Proverbs 29:18, it says, "Where there is no vision the people perish; but he who keeps the law blessed is he." When one has a vision they are able to proceed forward in making progress of being a good steward of faith.
The above paragraph makes a great segue into another component required on the faith journey and that is "knowledge." What is "knowledge" according to the Farlex free dictionary; knowledge is the state or fact of knowing. Paraphrasing Min. Louis Farrakhan "Knowledge compliments faith... In other words what good is faith if one doesn't have the knowledge to back it up." Moreover, faith can therefore be gained through reflection and the acquisition of knowledge, and not by blind and irrational commitment.
The Holy Qur’an lines up with the Biblical teachings of faith as it states true faith is that which is based on knowledge and supported by argument. Any belief that is not based and supported is considered by the Qur'an to be mere caprice and whim, which a thinking person must avoid. (Sheikh Idris, J,). Jesus taught: “If the blind lead the blind both fall in the ditch." When our faith is definitive in understanding, courage, knowledge and vision in it will never allow us to be impulsive and cowardly followers of Almighty God! When we stand on the truth of His word--we are unapologetic and unwavering in our stance against the wiles of opposition towards His word! So, the knowledge and understanding that we have in God supports our faith, which builds our courage and grows our vision in what has been promised.
Your faith is the protector of your destiny this is how we are able to truly acknowledge God's word when it says, " For we walk by faith and not by sight." (2Cor 5:7 KJV). “And but my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." (Heb 10: 38 NIV). "Faith is deeply and firmly implanted in human nature in that, it is not like a plant which has sprouted from dung which has no root and a slight calamity can uproot it like the word of disbelief about which can be uprooted from the very surface of the earth; it has no stability” (Sheikh Idris, J, Pillars of Faith, www.islamm.com, Holy Qur’an 14:26).
"A person with a good experience is never at the mercy of a person with a good argument. You have an experience that is building a foundation that cannot be moved. And it will also be a place for others to build on--I know you can't have faith unless you're being challenged. So the courage you're exhibiting let's me know that it is only matter of time." (Seaton, J June 2010). Although we may not have the physical sight to see what is in store for us God gives us the knowledge and understanding, which produces the hope that builds our courage that provides us with a vision for us to truly see the spiritual realm of His word and promise. Furthermore, this is why we are able to bear witness to the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) and all the prophets that have come from Abraham to Muhammad. Because their faith ultimately was the protector of there destines!
Life is challenging and seemingly impossible in itself and without faith it is even more perplexing. We cannot expect to proceed forward with any certainty unless definitive understanding, courage, knowledge and vision are at the forefront, which are the tools given to us by our faith that causes us to move forward. It is our faith that allows us to soar high and run towards our personal pursuits when we may have our doubts and others deem us unwise. Furthermore, we are never in total chaos or loss when we have faith to move us forth during our dark moments. It is our straight path to victory!
More next time God Willing...
Peace & Blessings,
Bro. Lamon -Chairman Spiritual Institute of Divine Teachings
Scriptural and Literary support:
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Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ep 6:10-20 NKJV)
There is no compulsion in religion — the right way is indeed clearly distinct from error. So whoever disbelieves in the devil and believes in Allah (God), he indeed lays hold on the firmest handle which shall never break. And Allah (God) is Hearing, Knowing. (Surah 2:256 MMA)
Copyright June 2010 The Spiritual Institute of Divine Teachings-Revised August 2011
